[Judilyn]

We leave in 2 weeks for a long awaited vacation to Minnesota. We are renting a log cabin on a very secluded lake and I just can't wait to get there.

We have always had a van but a year ago in June I was in a bad accident ( I was hit by a garbage truck). My van was totaled. When we looked to replace it we decided to go back in to a car because our daughter will be driving soon and we figured that we would not need another van. Bad judgment on our part, I have many times wished for a van again.

Anyway this is a 9 hour drive in a medium size car. My kids are 16, 13, and 8. Any suggestions for keeping such a wide age range happy on a long trip? I know that part of the time she (my teen)will be driving so that will break up the trip for her. What I am dreading is the 3 of them stuck in a small space for 9-10 hours. They were so much easier to keep entertained when they were small, loved to listen to nursery rhyme tapes and would sing the Itsy Bitsy Spider 500 times. And, at least they slept for part of the trip. My 16 year old is already complaining about being dragged off from her friends to the land of no where!

Any suggestions or words of wisdom?
Thanks
Judilyn

[BrandyHagz]

I am an old pro at making very long road trips in much to small cars...lol...it comes from 3 years of living across the country from family (NC vs CA)

I can just say 2 things:

GAME BOY (Or a Gaming console with a LCD Screen)

LAP TOP

If it werent for both of these things, I woulda droped my husband and my son off long before we even made it out of NC...It kept them both entertained, while I was able to just drive and listen to my music...

Granted neither of my guys are teens, my son is only 8...and my husband 23..I think this is a pretty universal fix to a problem with long road trips

[lambeausam]

Judilyn,

Have you considered renting a van for the vacation? You might even be able to find one with a built-in entertainment center. It may be worth the rental fee.

[Talia]

A rental van is a great idea - I would also suggest lots of snacks and drinks - have them help you pack the bag - that way when you stop for restroom trips - which their are bound to be many with three kids in the car - no matter what their ages - you won't have to fight over the snack shop items. Don't even let them go into the snack shop - each time it will tack on 1/2 hour to your trip if not more.

I would suggest some kind of DVD/ TV entertainment - If you don't own (iDon't) you can rent from a video store - on a weekly basis - its cheap - It can save you alot of headache.

Gameboy is also a great idea - I'm 32 and when even I travel with my husband or kids we take it with us.... it keeps my husband quiet and occupied for hours. I'll bet it will do the same for your kids.

Good Luck
Andy

Ps Earplugs are always good for traveling - maybe not for the car though .... Ha Ha Have fun.... were all jealous !

[kmalay]

lambeausam

Sorry to have to notify you this way, but your box is still full. Just an FYI. Go ahead and send me an email privately if you need to