family road trip Archives

The Importance of Family Road Trips

April 18, 2018 by admin

When it comes to vacations, it’s not always about the destination; it’s also about the time you spend with the people you love.

Taking your kids on vacation will give you the time to help teach your children essential life skills and more. In fact, there is a far better chance for them to remember the lessons and activities you did together rather than the destination itself.

Aside from that, there are a lot of reasons to go on a much-needed vacation with the family. Here are a few of them:

New Experiences

There are experiences that reading can’t give you. Allow your children to experience life first hand. They will absorb the lesson better, and it will make them eager to learn more about nature, culture, and more.

As part of encouraging experience, push them to try different activities and to face their fears within reason. For example, if one of your kids is afraid of horses, show them that there’s nothing be afraid of and try to get them to pet the horse, and eventually ride one.

When you take it one step at a time, it allows them to adjust and see that not everything is out to get them. After all the adventures and experiences, you can see your kids having more confidence in trying things out for themselves.

Promote Family Relationships

One great thing about road trips with your family is that everyone is free from the usual distractions. There are no board meetings to attend, no school, and no television; it will be just you, your kids, and the open road.

Use this time to reconnect with each other through games and stories. Ask them about what they are looking forward to on the trip, school, or any other future activities. Communication is key to developing well-adjusted individuals in the family.

Recharge

Meeting work deadlines, ensuring that everyone has their packed lunch before they leave the house in the morning, and you still need to arrive at the office on time is a lot of work. Over time, you can feel yourself getting burnt out from everyday life. Recharge and relax on your road trip with your family.

Go camping and share outdoor skills with your kids. Put up a tent, start a fire, and roast marshmallows. At night, tell each other ghost stories and funny tales from work or school to remind yourself that there’s more to life than deadlines and chores.

Ditch Digital

An advantage of going on a road trip and choosing a destination with little to no cell signal is that everyone will be forced to put down their devices and spend time with each other.

Now is the perfect time to let your child’s creativity shine and allow them to try their hand at entertaining themselves without the use of digital means. Let them play in the dirt, swim in rivers, and let them have fun in a different way.

When you make road trips a regular part of your family’s yearly plans, you help create a bond with each other. Not only that, but you also create a family tradition wherein everyone can pitch in their ideas and support in their unique way.

Letting your children help in the planning and packing for the trip gives them a sense of responsibility and gives them the confidence to take the lead in school and other activities. So, plan your next family road trip, find and rent a compact car, and have fun with the essential people in your life.

7 Tips for Taking a Road Trip With a Teen Driver

August 15, 2017 by admin

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Did your teen just get their driver’s license? Are they more eager than ever to take part in this year’s family road trip?

Getting through the teen driving phase is one of the toughest periods for any parent. It’s inevitable that one day they’ll get behind the wheel, but it always seems to happen too soon. Despite all the stress, studies have shown teens that get their license earlier usually end up being safer drivers.

If your teen wants to be one of the drivers during your family road trip here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Update Your Car Insurance Policy

The car insurance pros at acceptanceinsurance.com suggest that parents check their policies before taking a road trip with teen drivers. The law requires that all drivers must be covered by liability insurance in the vast majority of states, even if they don’t drive a car of their own.

If your teen has a driver’s license and plans to drive the family car, you should add them to your auto insurance policy. Your teen should be listed as an operator of the vehicle, not just a household member.

Plot Your Course Together in Advance

Choosing the destination for a family vacation is one of the first to-dos that have to get done. But often we wait until the car is loaded to pull up a maps app and find the best route.

Knowing where you’re going in advance always helps every driver regardless of age. At least a week or two out, sit down with your teen driver and consider your route options. Consider things beyond distance such as the terrain, highway conditions and traffic. For example, a trip where you’ll be hiking in Vancouver has dramatically different driving conditions compared to visiting the city of Los Angeles.

Discuss all the various factors with your teen driver. It’s also a good time to decide how much driving your teen will do and which legs of the trip will be safest.

Check the Teen Driving Regulations in Each State

Every state lays out their own regulations for teen drivers. After going through the learner’s permit process, you’re probably familiar with your state’s regulations, but what about the states you’ll be driving through?

The states you plan to visit could be more strict or more lenient. Make sure to check with the state DMV for more information to avoid accidentally violating the rules of the road.

Don’t Sleep While They Drive

Teen drivers need supervision, especially if they’re driving through unfamiliar territory. It may be tempting to catch a power nap while your teen is driving, but fight the urge. Stay awake and alert so you can act as their co-pilot and make sure they aren’t doing anything risky like texting while driving.

Keep Your Emotions Under Control

We have a way of feeding off the emotions of others. If you’re stressed and on-edge while your teen is driving it will do nothing but increase their anxiety. Raising your voice or getting into an argument should definitely be avoided since it can make your teen driver emotional.

If you find that your teen’s driving is just too stressful during the family road trip ask them to pull over at the next stop so you can use the restroom. Once you’re done, take back the driver’s seat.

Avoid High-Traffic Areas and Times

Some believe in throwing a person in the deep end to teach them how to swim. That’s not an advisable tactic for teen drivers on a family road trip. It’s best to stick to portions of the route that are less likely to have traffic and times when there are fewer cars on the road.

Avoid Teen Driving in a Rental

Are you planning on renting a vehicle for your family road trip? Then your teen may have to put up with sitting in the back seat. No car rental company will rent a vehicle to a person who’s under 18, and many refuse to turn over the keys to drivers that are 20 years old or younger.

Even though it’s legal for a teen to drive while the parent is in the car, the car rental company may forbid it. Read the fine print carefully to avoid potentially expensive problems.

Exploring the English Countryside by Car – Top Destinations and Attractions

July 7, 2017 by admin

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If you’ve got a bit of holiday time coming up and you would like to have a low-key vacation that doesn’t involve air travel, then you may want to stick close to home and plan a trip by car. Here in England, there are a number of beautiful, scenic, historic, and interesting places to visit, much of which is found in the world famous English countryside. Here’s a look at some of the top destinations and attractions worth visiting as you explore the English countryside by car.

Dorset – a Designated Area of Beauty

Don’t just take others’ word for it that Dorset is worth visiting, let its designation as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty speak for itself. If you’re interested in exploring ancient monuments, this is home to 5% of the country’s collection. Some of the most noteworthy sites include Cerne Abbas Giant, Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, and various hill forts such as the popular Maiden Castle.

Cornwall – a Dose of Seaside Scenery Await

Maybe you prefer to take in the countryside with a dose of seaside scenery. If that’s the case then Cornwall is well worth a visit. Here you’ll find stunning natural beaches lined with water activities, incredible landscape, opportunities for nature walks and exploring the villages, and that quaint feel that people love.

The Cotswolds – a Look at Traditional England Landscape and Architecture

Take a step back in time and explore “traditional England” when you explore the area between Oxford, Bath, Strafford on Avon, and the Cotswolds. What is so notable about this area is that little has changed over the past couple of centuries, it’s as though you’re stepping back into time. The area is known for its traditional limestone homes and walls, stunning valleys, quaint cottages, and Cotswold stone roofs.

Lake District – A Truly Relaxing Experience

The Lake District is the perfect way to combine the beauty of the English countryside with the lazy and relaxing feeling you get on a lake holiday. This area is filled with pristine lakes, rolling mountains, and a variety of villages and towns. Some of the most visited towns include Kendal, Keswick, and Ambleside. Visitors can go shopping, dining, hiking, and take a walking tour.

One Word of Note

Of course, if you plan to be exploring the English countryside by car, you’ll also need to have a valid driver’s licence and vehicle to drive. If you don’t yet have your licence and you’re looking to move through the process as quickly and smoothly as possible, then take a practice driving theory test on Toptests. Up to 25% of people fail their theory test the first time they take it, but by using these online practice tests you’ll be sure to be prepared, saving yourself a whole lot of time and hassle.

Make the Trip Exactly What You Want

The lovely thing about heading out on a driving trip is that you’ve got total control over what kind of trip you have, where you go, how long you’re gone, and the pace of the trip.