Anyone with a toddler will not be able to escape CBeebies and the joy it brings to their lives, so when we hear that there was a CBeebies Live tour, we were a little excited but equally a little scared at the thought of a long car journey, trying to amuse a determined toddler.
Now we all know that travelling with children can be as easy as juggling jelly, so here are my top tips for a wobble free expedition!
Take your time.
It sounds so simple but trying to get out of the house with a toddler can take twice as long as any other time. Give yourself an extra hour if it is a long journey, allowing for some traffic and the inevitable toilet breaks!
Book in advance
Whether it is tickets for the event or a hotel close to the event, a tired, hungry and impatient toddler can test the patience of the most calm of parents. Relieve the stress and book in advance.
Baby wipes are your friend
Baby wipes are definately underated. Not only do they deal with dirty bottoms and sticky hands, they are great for wiping a table over in a busy service station or cleaning baby sick off leather seats in the car. No need to ask how we know this. We just do.
Technology is your friend
I fondly remember the days playing I-Spy in the back of my Dad's Ford Cortina on long car journeys as a child but this game will only last so long. It also isn't quite so effective with a toddler who doesn't really grasp the concept and shouts random words, consequently aggravating the ""tween". So in-car entertainment is your friend. DVD players on the headrests are a godsend .... although what is played can be a whole other debate!
Wear comfortable clothes.
This applies to everyone. As much as I love my skinny jeans and heels combo, its not the most practical for a long car journey and the same applies to the children. They will undoubtedly be eating at some point, maybe spill a drink (or be travel sick), put them in something comfortable, not too warm and not too fussy. It makes life easier for everyone.
Think about the time of day you travel
We always try and arrange a longer car journey around nap time. It makes for a much more peaceful journey.
Don't swear
Driving can bring out the worst in the best of us. If a driver cuts you up, take a deep breath. If you swear, you know that your toddler will store that little gem of information until a really quiet moment, in front of a group of really important people. Or in church.
Enjoy!
We sometimes spend so much time planning our adventures that we forget to enjoy them. So Enjoy!!
Would you add anything else to the list?
