How to Travel Australia with the Kids and Not Kill Each Other!
- Written by EB
Image by Envato
Let’s Reflect on Past Family Holidays
A big family caravanning trip is the classic way to travel around Australia. But it’s all fun and games until it turns into full blown war. The two older kids are kicking and screaming at each other over a little spat. Little Timmy is crying in the corner for some reason. A toy is broken, everyone is hungry and you’re about to lose your mind.
You end up regretting planning the trip in the first place and you’re ready to turn the car around and head back home!
Being cooped up together for long periods of time can cause frustrations to boil over at the slightest things. The good news is that it’s perfectly normal and happens to every family!
So, how can you maintain harmony with the kids? How can you make your next holiday the best family caravan trip?
Ways to Prevent the Kids from Fighting
Entertainment equals distraction: Boredom can be a major catalyst to kids fighting. Sometimes they just need to be distracted! Figure out what works for your kids. The Quiet Game, I Spy, music, podcasts, colouring, and books are just a few examples.
While you’re at your campsite, be sure to pack some family games to keep everyone entertained.
Keep stocked up: Always have plenty of water and snacks on hand. Ensure all your electronic devices are charged, and pack all your chargers, power banks and batteries.
Go with the flow: Sometimes we want to follow the plan to the tee, but with a bunch of hyperactive kids in tow, being flexible is important. ‘Designating fun’ is probably not the best approach. If your kids get excited and see an interesting landmark, kitschy store or cool playground, stop the car and check it out!
Quiet time: The one thing you should designate time for is quiet time. Everyone, including you, should have an hour or two each day doing something on your own, whether that be craft, reading or better yet, napping!
Sharing is not always caring: Each kid should have their own bag of books, games, toys, and activities that are only theirs to use. This is important to help prevent fights and have things to do during quiet time.
Switch things up: You may need to have a parent sit in the back with one of the kids and rotate around throughout the trip. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to bond with the kids. Another option is to have individual quiet time in the car and use a divider in the backseat with pillows and blankets to keep the kids out of each other’s sight for a while.
Accept that fights will happen: Kids will be kids. They are learning and growing, and sometimes unfamiliar places and experiences can be scary or overwhelming. Sometimes what they need is you to listen to them, be understanding, give them a hug and move on.
The Right Caravan Can Be a Major Help
No matter how much you love being around people, everyone needs a little bit of space. Alone time is necessary for your sanity. Parents know that all too well!
You need to get a caravan that keeps families in mind, designed for each kid to have their own space. There are some wonderful Aussie hybrid caravans with bunks on the market to check out.
Just imagine it, everyone in your crew is relaxed and calm, without a fight in sight. Meanwhile, you’re watching all the other families at the campsite lose their minds at each other. It must feel really good to be the family who has got it all figured out!
