Have Kids... will Road Trip!

It doesn't have to be the Highway to Hell

    

Tropical Seas. The five mile boat ride to the sandbar to snorkel at was worth the trip.

This past weekend we were given a gift to go to a nearby coastal town, Punta Rucia. We had visited this town before and thought it was beautiful. Our friends had booked us a room at their favorite Bed and Breakfast, Corales, Punta Rusia a nice B&B and on a hill with a beautiful view of the ocean owned by a super friendly German man, Rene. We ate an amazing dinner cooked by Rene, of fish, potatoes, and vegetables that we all gobbled up after our adventure that took us 5 nautical miles off of the Dominican Coast to a Sandbar, called Paradise Island with amazing snorkeling. 
 
Our plan was to leave bright and early from our home to get ahead of the drinking tourist crowds that can sometimes take over tourist attractions like Paradise Island. However, though we have traveled many times with our two boys, this time we were traveling with our 5-week old baby girl to a fairly remote location, so I had to put a little more thought into what we were packing which delayed in our departure. Here are a few things that I packed that you might not think to, but they will save your life and your sanity! 

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I am a coffee first kind of mom.

If you can, bring your own crib. Our baby still sleeps in a pack & play in our room so we started bringing it with us. This helps your little one be comfortable in the different surroundings if they are in a familiar bed. Pack a coffee maker. I learned this from a few moms. If you are a cup in the morning before the day can start kind of mom… bring your own supplies. 5 am is early and chances are, no coffee is being prepared for at least another hour or two. A Bodum and electric kettle can make the early morning easier.

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Here are a few more of my tips to road tripping with kids.
 
1) Start early in the day and in their life. The earlier in life you start the more normal traveling will be to them.
 
2) Start Short if possible. 2-4 hour drives to start. Expecting the little rascals to sit longer is mean, plus, chances are they will sleep an hour or two, even the big kids.
 
3) Don’t be scared, be prepared!
 

• Ergo Baby (Baby feels safe close to you and you still have 2 hands. Try pushing a stroller and rolling your luggage at the same time. Good Luck!)
• Pack and Play for the baby to sleep in.
• Diapers, Diapers and more diapers. A friend of mine has the best diarrhea stories and they have all happened on planes!
• Snacks, snacks and more snacks but not sugar filled. Cheese & Crackers are good, pretzels, fruit pouches like Loco Bebe.
• Water. The best way to feel good when traveling is to stay hydrated. (You & your kids)
• ​Water for washing... if you are going to the beach, cut down on the amount of sand in your vehicle by washing your rug rats off before they get in.
  
• Medicine. For the kids and for you.
• Bug Spray
• Coffee and wine. Bodum, Electric Kettle & Wine Crank

 
Going on Road Trips with your entire family can sometimes feel overwhelming, but it is worth it. The stories your kids will have from their experiences on the open road will be with them for a lifetime. 
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