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Taking children on holiday
'Are we there yet?' It's the inevitable question every parent dreads when they set off on a long car journey, particularly if it comes after you've only been driving for five minutes.
Staving off the boredom on a long trip requires foresight, bundles of energy and a vivid imagination. Failing that, a decent in-car entertainment system can be a big help. While once I-spy and endless miles of singing nursery rhymes were the main tools of distraction, these days the options are much wider.
In-car entertainment
A few years ago it would have been almost unthinkable to have a DVD player fitted in your car, but it now comes as standard in many family vehicles - and for a little extra you can also get games consoles built in.
If you decide to get your kids some in-car kit, make sure you select calm films and games for long journeys so there is not too much jumping around in the back, which could dangerously distract the driver.
For those not up to speed with the latest in-car gadgets, a CD player may be all you have to work with (or a tape player if your car is old). Let your children bring their favourite music CDs and take turns putting them on. Something your kids can sing along to is always good as it will keep them more engaged and stop them getting bored.
If your children's taste in music drives you mad, however, you may want to try getting them to listen to it on an iPod or Walkman.
As well as music, story CDs of favourite children's fiction can be a winner for keeping little ones happy for long periods of time.
Tried and tested
Of course, the most old-fashioned methods will still work if you have the energy. As well as I-spy, you could try playing a spotting game, or a quiz. If you are really sneaky, you could try the quiet game, where the one who sits quietly the longest is the winner - although most children will see through this pretty quickly.
If you are really stuck for games to play, the website Mom's Minivan has 101 car travel games and road trip ideas for kids, from in-car bingo and cow counting, to tips for preventing car sickness.
As well as games, snacks will help pass some time. However, avoid food and drinks with a high sugar content. Not only is it bad for the children, but it will give them even more energy and make them even less able to sit still. Unhealthy food is also more likely to make them feel sick - which is not going to help your cause very much.
Other ways to alleviate boredom
Another idea is to secretly pack some of your kids' favourite toys in a bag and pull them out at crucial moments - such as just before a tantrum kicks in. Changing seats after a stop is another tactic you can employ. It not only mixes things up for the kids, but the parents can take turns at getting a break - by driving.
Another alternative is to travel at night so that your children sleep through the journey. Or you could try setting off early in the morning and letting your children sleep for a few hours, and then stopping for breakfast when they wake up. This will considerably cut down on the amount of 'awake' journey time.
Children are not good at sitting still even for short periods of time, so a long journey is going to test your entertainment skills to the limit. But with some props and lots of energy, you should manage to keep them happy until it's your turn to drive again.
