7 Reasons To Take Your Kids On A Road Trip

By Damaria Senne

Recently, I've impulsively taken my daughter on a couple of road trips. For simplicity's sake, I chose destinations which were new to her, far enough to make the venture worthwhile but close enough to travel about ten hours maximum.

To keep the costs down, we traveled by coach, rather than flying or driving. Here are some of the benefits I learnt to appreciate while we were on the road trips:

1. The trips add some new and fun to our lives -No longer are we restricted to being city-bound on weekends. If we don't have plans, we can pack up a large cooler bag, hop on a bus and see where it takes us.

2. Keeping in touch with family and friends - If we have friends or family at the other side of the trip, we make the time to visit with them for a while.

3. Time to bond - Travelling together in an enclosed space provides me with the oportunity to learn the details of my daughter's life that I miss in the hustle and bustle of normal life. Also, she can't run away to her room if she doesn't like the conversation, and I can't claim that I'm working when she wants attention. All this helps us grow closer together.

4. See the country on a budget - We choose a top of the line bus for comfort. Still, it's much cheaper than driving or catching a plane. Also, we keep to a strict budget on the trip, bringing some of the food and drinks we'll need, rather than buying along the way.

5. Getting to know the country - The trips have helped my daughter experience parts of South Africa that she would otherwise not have seen until she's grown. Hopefully, it will help with her geography lessons at school, and teach her to appreciate the various aspects of the country she was born to.

6. It's time to rest, recharge - Road trips give us both the time to rest and recharge our batteries. While we're on the trip, our life along with its assorted joys and challenges, is left behind. We need only worry about this trip, this moment. It's a very restful sensation.

7. There is entertainment - We also take along books to read and some electronic gadgets to play with if and when boredom seeps in. The bus line also plays a number of movies, keeping us entertained.

While planning your road trip, keep the following issues in mind:

Make sure the trip does not conflict with prior plans -You know you do not want to be trapped in a bus with a sulking child who is determined not to have fun, no matter what you do.

Small kids do not do well in enclosed spaces- If you have small children / active children who need space to move around, a trip on a bus may not be a good idea. Traveling by RV might be the better option, as it gives your family the space they need.

Keep the costs down - Unless you specifically budgeted for the trip, keep the costs (excluding the fare) to almost the same range as you would spend if you stayed home for the weekend.

Read about Damaria Senne's adventures as a parent and writer at
http://damariasenne.blogspot.com You can also read her take on how the mobile phone has impacted on the way South Africans work, play, learn and communicate at
http://www.mydigitallife.co.za/mobilelife Read her business articles at http://www.itweb.co.za

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Damaria_Senne

The Million Dollar Answer to Road Rage

By John W Williams

We've all been there. At that moment when you're ready to blow your honk or yell at the driver next to you because they seem to be clueless. You get angry because the person in front of you is going 15 miles UNDER the speed limit. You're thinking What Are They Doing? You are steady shouting"Move", "The Light is GREEN", "It's a Yield sign not a Stop sign." The crazy part is Hello they can't hear us. Meanwhile, you've already lost your composure over this slow driver in front of you. I prefer to call them Sunday drivers. They're just poking along like they are on a Sunday Drive on Wednesday afternoon during rush hour. By now you are accelerating and decelerating your vehicle to tailgate this knucklehead in front of you, in hopes that they might get a clue. My question to you is ... who needs to get a clue you or them? Answer this honestly because you might have a problem with road rage.

Read over this checklist and if you're guilty of one or two you may not have a rage problem. (I'm guilty of a few myself) However, if every drive you take you find yourself committing several of any of the following ... you may have a Road Rage problem.

Do You -

- try to force the slow driver ahead of you to speed up by tailgating them

- weave back and forth in traffic, changing lanes without signaling

- intentionally pass someone and then slow down to let them know how it feels

- hit the gas and race through a caution light when it is about to turn red

- drive in the passing lane intentionally blocking other drivers from moving ahead

- constantly sound your horn

- flash your lights on and off at other drivers to get them to move out of your way

- constantly brake hard because you have little time to react

- use obscene gestures towards other drivers.

There are ways to avoid feeling anxious, and upset, while driving. And time is one of the key factors. Leaving yourself 15 minutes to spare while traveling can do wonders. So take some deep breaths and slow down. The car you are driving could end up being a deadly weapon if it is used in a hazardous manner. Instead of trying to multi-task while driving, use it as down time to relax. Put in your favorite CD and just unwind. And if you happen to be the pokey driver that's holding up traffic and someone flips you off, don't react the same way. Avoid making eye contact with anyone who is trying angrily to get your attention. It could end up being a deadly situation.

Here's a few ways I've found to calm down behind the wheel:

1- If you are having a bad day, Keep your emotions in check by focusing on family or friends or something positive. Sometimes just smiling for no reason can help you stay calm.

2-If another driver is being rude to you, don't be rude back to them. Sometimes people are just looking for a reaction. If you react, then the fight will probably be on.

3- If you feel someone is trying to be aggressive with you avoid eye contact them. (I usually start nodding my head to the music). That allows them think I'm clueless and they drive on in frustration leaving me alone.

4- Think just how valuable life is. Your reaction could cause an accident. Is it really worth it? What if the other driver has a weapon? You never know the other driver's state of mind ... they could be having a bad year compared to your bad day. They could feel they have nothing to lose. But what about you? Is reacting and getting even worth getting killed?

5-Give people the "benefit of the doubt". Maybe they just got fired, lost a family member or have an emergency of some sort and that's why they're driving like a maniac. In some cases people will get lost in their thoughts and not even realize they are annoying you. We all have bad times.

6- Lastly but most importantly, if a bad-mannered driver is following you don't go home. Stop by the nearest police station or call 911 and give your location while continuing to drive.

The main thing we all need to remember is to treat other drivers the way we'd want them to treat our grandmother on the road. Everyone has their reasons for their insane ways of driving and we can't control that. We can however control ourselves. So proceed with caution and try not to rush. If we all were a little more considerate while driving this wouldn't even be an issue.

Drive safely and live longer. It's better to get to your destination late then never at all.

John Williams has strong family ties which drove him to start his own business. Working long 10 hr days in the Sales Industry proved difficult while raising 4 children. He found himself working more and playing less at home. To enable himself to enjoy more of his wife & family, he put his 13 yrs of sale experience to work. He accomplished himself in the business community with his experience & knowledge he acquired while in the work field. He's since relocated his family to Central PA & becoming involved with his children's leisure activities & wife's social gatherings.

John has shown real strength behind Internet marketing as a powerful income producer. He has helped everyday people join the business community and acquired the proper mindset to succeed. Now while reaching new highpoints with his Internet Marketing Company, he's still able to help get his team to new levels of success. John knows that Internet marketing success is the way of the future, so he ensures his clients master and apply his Internet marketing principles so they all gain success. http://www.cashfolk.com

Frugal Travel Tips For Road Trips

By Kimber Chin

What better way for the frugal traveler to stretch both her budget and her vacation allotment than by taking road trips during long weekends? Here are some of my top tips to reduce that cost even more.

Keeping The Cooler Cool Packing an accessable cooler full of drinks and snacks is a great cost reducing option. To maximize cooler space, instead of filling with ice, freeze water bottles and low filled beverages (including drinking boxes, makes a healthier juice slushy). No more soggy sandwiches or spilled water in the backseat.

Eating Where The Truckers EatFor longer road trips, travelers may have to look outside the cooler for a meal. Instead of haunting the usual fast food chains, keep an eye out for any local roadside restaurants with transport trucks parked outside. When truckers find a spot with good, affordable meals, they tell their buddies.

Note: Just because the sign says truck stop, doesn’t mean the truckers stop. The vehicles never lie.

Keeping The Kiddies EntertainedThis is a trick I’ve stolen from my Mom. Whenever we went on a long road trip, she would dig out the coloring books and crayons. That may not seem exciting except it was…to us. During a road trip was the only time we were allowed a new coloring book.
Updated for today’s kid, keep a few toys or video games only for use on road trips. This could be a brand new toy or a favorite. The novelty of the toy will keep kids busy and looking forward to the long car rides.

Prepping The VehicleRoad trips mean relying on your vehicle so prep work is essential. Check all fluids, oil, antifreeze/coolant, windshield washer solvent (for the bugs all road trip vehicles collect). Check the tires, ensuring that they are properly inflated and in good condition. Check all belts and hoses, looking for wear and tear.

AAA Or Other Vehicle Assistance ProgramsFrequent road trippers should consider an AAA or other vehicle assistance program membership, especially if they have an older vehicle. One tow and the membership pays for itself. Plus no scrambling for local mechanics/tow trucks.

One of the benefits that I love about AAA is their TripTiks which are route maps complete with information such as road works (very helpful during the summer road work season) and rest stops. There are even blurbs on each town passed.

Road trips are a great way to see more local destinations and to stretch the travel budget.
For more frugal travel tips for road trips or cities, visit http://www.freephotooftheday.com