Ten Tips for Making Life Easier on the Go

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There are times when we’ve spent a LOT of time on the go in our house.  We’ve had periods when boys are in sports and times when we spend a fair amount of time just going between appointments and activities.

I’ve learned a few things along the way…

1. Manage your obligations by writing it down.  I’m back to a paper calendar that travels with me and contains not only meetings and activities for the boys, but also my schedule of when reviews are due on the blog.  Without it written down, I feel like I’m chasing my tail and fretting that I’ll forget something important.
2. Add in a buffer to account for unexpected traffic.  We have to tack on a good 10 to 15 minutes now a days just to make sure that we get everyone into the car and on the road in a timely fashion.  Traffic isn’t usually too bad here in Alaska, but things can get nasty if there is an accident. And, most parents know that little kids will pick the moment of departure to need a diaper change or bathroom run.
3. Pack snacks and drinks for the kids and you.  There’s nothing like being caught out and about with nothing to eat and tummies a rumbling.  Granola bars are a favorite for us as they fill you up some and usually do not create a big mess.  Water bottles that can be refilled are our preferred beverage.
4. Keep a stash of gift cards in the glove box.  For those times when you are dashing about and didn’t have time to pack enough food, it is handy to have restaurant gifts cards for ‘fast’ food that you can pick up.
5. Make sure you have maps in the vehicle.  Ever get stuck in traffic in an area you do not frequent and have no idea of alternate ways to navigate?  Well, having a map in the car helps with that and eases frustration over how to get places.
6. Maintain a running list (in your head or on paper) of places you can go for kids to let out energy or snag an internet connection.  Knowing where you can make a pit stop is valuable information to me, especially when someone suddenly needs to use the restroom.
7. Be ready to keep kids occupied both in and out of the vehicle.  Things really seem to drag when kids are bored and start whining about being stuck in the car.
8. Double up or multi-task when needed.  We listen to audiobooks in the car to both entertain and to get some of our schoolwork (history) done.
9. Pre-plan dinners for the week, whether just a list of what you’ll cook or maybe even have main dishes in the freezer.  I’m not always good about this, but am making my way back to doing some freezer cooking and using the crock pot.
10. Finally….take time out to enjoy life.  One of my favorite pick me ups is to grab an iced latte in the summer to sip while watching the boys play at a park.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Seattle’s Best Coffee blogging program for a gift card worth $30. For more information on how you can participate, click here.