RVing with children, pain or pleasure?
Most of the time, a family trip with a recreational vehicle proves to be a great time for all. But traveling with children isn't necessary smooth going all time. But with a little planning, an RV trip with kids can result in great fun and a lifetime of memories.
By Bob Masters
Children on an extended trip can either be a drag ("...are we there yet") or a joy for both the adults and the children. Plus, if the latter, these trips can -- and should -- be very educating (for the adults, too).
Ages of the children can be very important
Ages are very important. An infant can be a host of problems but there are times when there is no choice. Ways must then be devised to continually service the infant during the trip (which can demand a lot of stops depending upon the type of vehicle). Please note that it is unlawful for passengers to be riding in a trailer when in motion. We found the ideal ages to be between 8 and 12. Ours started traveling with us in that age bracket and continued as teenagers. Teen agers usually have their own schedules and taking an extended trip away from their friends is rarely on their agendas.
Know their 'hot buttons'
If you know the children's personalities and their 'hot buttons' taking advantage of these can make all the difference. The goal is to have them anticipate activities they will like and will look forward to. For example, museums can be dreadfully boring for children (and adults, too). There are many museums across the country designed to be a thrill for their juvenile guests; it can be a challenge to get the children to willingly leave.
Plan with the children in advance
If possible, start planning the trip several months in advance with the children. Let them see the possible destinations and be participants in choosing where to go and where to stop (within the required limits). Use these planning sessions to help build anticipation and enthusiasm.
Ensure there are no date conflicts
If they are teenagers, this planning can also serve to prevent conflicts of activities they might rather do at home instead of going on the trip. If they are anticipating the trip they will be much less inclined to desire to be involved in activities at home during these same dates.
Encourage the creation of mementos
Start a scrapbook for each child while still in the planning stage. If a child is inclined to draw (many are when they are still under 10 years of age) encourage them draw a pictorial map of where you will be going. The map could easily cover several pages. Review with them on a road map where you will be going. Five-year-olds can learn to read a map; this is a good time to teach them.
Buy an inexpensive camera for each child
Children love to take pictures so they can show them to their friends. When the prints come back from processing (or printed out if digital) they should be placed in the scrapbooks. While it is much easier to avoid taking poor pictures with digital cameras (where you can see the shot both before and after), we still prefer the disposable cameras. They are very simple, light weight and inexpensive if they get lost (and kids are experts at losing things). Unfortunately, the digital age is making acquiring these cameras more difficult as well as finding film processing establishments.
No tears, please
If mother (or mothers) are not going on the trip (e.g., grandchildren of a friend of your child), prepare the mother to wave goodbye cheerfully with a smile. Tears can -- and usually will -- haunt the child throughout the trip. Vacation trips with children in an RV can, and should be, be a joy for both the adults and the children.
Bob Masters started RVing in a converted 1958 Flxible bus in the 1960s. He has traveled extensively throughout the 48 states and has written many 'travel logs' describing some of his journeys. Having traveled extensively with children, and, later, grandchildren, he has become very familiar with the best places to stop and enjoy what a local community has to offer. Recently he started the RV Guide project to make available to RVers a graphic directory of the locations of RV parks and campgrounds near the Interstate highways ( e.g., http://www.I-40-RV-Parks.com ) including locations of RV sales and service centers.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Masters
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