Packing the car

Kid Needs to Vomit in the Car? No Problem

Posted by Roadtrippingma on Aug 21, 2010 in Packing the car, Road Tales | 0 comments

As the parent of three boys ten years and under, I’ve had my share of cleaning up kid vomit.  My eldest, who has a flair for the dramatic, tended to spew across carpet before even taking a single step toward the toilet.  “I couldn’t help it,” he’d cry as I gasped at the pink tinged splash that now accented their white bedroom rug.  I understand.  Kids have delicate stomachs and the difference between hunger pangs and nausea is not quite apparent to them until they’re tweens. 

Our Montana minivan is as much a barfing receptacle as our bedroom floors.  And, what may appear to be a perfectly healthy child at the start of the trip could, in fact, metamorphose into a faucet of scrambled food.  Unfortunately, there are really no ways to prevent nausea (other than to slip Gravol into their peanut butter sandwiches, but let’s not go there.)  Thankfully, there is a way to prevent the worst part of throwing up -  the clean up. 

We always pack a barf pitcher.  Known by most families as a juice pitcher.  It has come in handy several times over the past few years when one of the kids has claimed a sore tummy.  “I feel like I’m gonna barf,” is the preferred statement uttered by my kids at least once every couple of hours in the minivan.  I will reach behind the drivers’ seat and grab the pitcher.  “Use this if you need to throw up, ” I’ll calmly advise the sick one.  The precaution provides peace of mind, even if the likelihood of the complainer filling it is close to zero. 

Our past road trip through the Maritimes, I was beginning to think the pitcher was no longer a necessary item on our packing list.  No one had actually thrown up in the van in five years.  However, during the final leg of our drive out of the Maritimes and into Maine, the undulating curves of the road proved too much for our six year old. 

He warned us of his predicament and, as usual, we pass along the clean pitcher and told him to use it if necessary.  After six episodes of vomiting, the pitcher was half full and the car reeked like a bad hangover.  When he finally had emptied his insides, we pulled over the side of the road and cleaned out the container with a bottle of water and some wipes.

The clean up took less than two minutes and our car didn’t suffer a speck of vomit.  I’ll never question the value of a barf pitcher again.

Lumbar Support Eases Road Trip Discomforts

Posted by Roadtrippingma on Aug 3, 2010 in Gadgets, Packing the car | 0 comments

My six year old son has a habit of complaining about back pain within ten minutes of sitting in his booster seat.  I sympathize with him since my back, too, suffers chronic discomfort if I’m stuck in the bucket seat of our Montanna for more than an hour. 

In fact, spending a day strapped to a seat with abysmal lumbar support is a challenge to any human body’s tolerance for discomfort.  The act of sitting for any period of time applies more pressure on the back than any other position.  So, while strapped inside a car, any opportunity to lift the rear end off of a seat is a help.  Today’s seatbelt laws (that fortunately promote the safety and well-being of passengers) hinder us from allowing our bodies to find the positions are most comfortable for our bodies.

A lumbar support pillow is a relatively effective measure to prevent the tension that results in the lower back from sitting.  There are many brands and types of pillows on the market.  One convenient option is to purchase an inflatable pillow.  That way, each passenger’s pillow can be deflated and folded away during short drives and, depending on the size of the child, can be inflated to various pressures to suit his or her body frame. 

I recently started using an inflatable travel support pillow called Back Booster.  With some experimentation, I was able to find the most comfortable level of inflation.  When fully inflated, my upper back couldn’t rest against the top of the seat.  However, when inflated less than half its capacity, the pillow offered just enough support to mould into my lower back, thus allowing me to maintain a proper posture.  The same level of inflation turned out to fit perfectly for my six year old, as well.  His complaints stop abruptly as soon as he slips the pillow his back.    

A less effective, but easy alternative is to place a rolled towel behind the lower back.  Ideally, the driver should adjust the seat to be as straight as possible and close enough to the steering wheel to prevent leaning forward to reach the controls.  Just as important to spinal health, is to take regular breaks outside of the car.  Every few hours, pull into a rest stop for a stretch of the legs.

Things I Learned on Our Road Trip to the Maritimes

Posted by Roadtrippingma on Jul 21, 2010 in Packing the car, Road Tales, Top Ten Lists | 0 comments

We left on July 1st to travel from Toronto to the Maritimes (excluding Newfoundland) and returned home July 18th.  Me, my husband, and three boys spend countless hours sharing accommodations that ranged from our cozy minivan to two-bedroom cabins.  Our vehicle traveled over 6000 km, through four provinces, and two states.  And, it was the first time we’d visited a part of Canada further east than Quebec City (we stopped there, too, along the way.)  Here are some of my observations.

1. The beaches are beautiful, but the best ones are in PEI. 
2. Hotels don’t provide a good cup of coffee and the Maritimes don’t have Tim Hortons at every corner (much less Starbucks!)  If you’re a sucker for the good stuff, pack your own coffee maker and beans (or a kettle and quality instant coffee.) 
3. There is such a thing as McLobster (we didn’t try it, though.)
4. One map is never enough.  Collect as many as you can along the way.
5. When the kids’ electronic toys are banned in the car because of bad behaviour, the parents suffer most.
6. Don’t travel out east for the great weather.
7. You won’t find a guy named Mac selling seafood out of his van off the highway.  In the Maritimes, it actually comes right off the boat.
8. There is a lobster season for every province.  So, if eating lobster is a goal, find out the season dates and travel accordingly.  We missed it in Nova Scotia, but found it in Cape Breton and PEI. 
9. Sure, Maritimers are friendly, but no friendlier than anyone else in Canada.
10. Restaurant food is usually crappier than home made food, and a whole lot pricier – unless you’re ordering fresh seafood in the Maritimes.
11. Kids CAN eat hotdogs every day for two weeks and never get sick of it.
12. Quebec City really does not celebrate Canada Day!  We arrived there on July 1st and were promptly told by the hotel staff that there were no festivities.  So much for our Canada shirts.
13. The least commercial place on the planet has to be Cape Breton.  It’s the best place to embrace the beauty of nature.
14. Canada should do everything they can to protect the livelihood of their Maritime fishermen.
15. Hotels and resorts never provide cutting boards.  Pack a small one on your next road trip.
16. Whether you scream in a whisper or a loud voice (at your kids), you still get a sore throat.
17. The Maritimes isn’t about enjoying luxury accommodations, it’s about appreciating the luxury of nature.
18. Canada is a beautiful country and worth exploring.

Choosing a Rooftop Carrier

Posted by Roadtrippingma on Jun 25, 2010 in Packing the car | 0 comments

Thinking of getting a roof top carrier for your vehicle?  It’s a wise investment for any travelling family.  Whether you’re lugging ski equipment for a two hour drive to the slopes or cruising the minivan from Edmonton to Sudbury, eliminating unnecessary luggage from the inside of the vehicle is a boon to all passengers.  As one seasoned car packer (my husband) once mused: “a perfectly packed car means that only those things that you need access to, are in the seating area.”   Choosing the perfect carrier, however, can be a difficult task.  Here are some factors to consider while researching the choices out there:

Familiarize yourself with the three main types of carriers. 

• The cargo box – a very popular choice – is comprised of a hard shell and can cost up to $1,000.  To maximize its efficiency a set of bags that fit snugly within the compartment are available to purchase, so that no space is wasted. 
• The cargo basket is a metal basket that sits on the roof and can be filled with an array of parcels and bags.  It provides travellers a bit more flexibility than a box because items don’t have to conform to a particular shape and is similarly priced to most boxes.  The luggage can be roped in manually or held firm with netting made specifically for the basket. 
• The cargo bag is made of canvas and is collapsible when not in use, making it easy to stow away.  An added benefit is that this carrier won’t dent, or worse, become lodged should the driver accidentally enter an underground parking garage with a full load on top.  They are the most economical choice of all the carriers but are less durable. 

Consider your family’s personal needs.

• This cargo carrier may last for decades, so think about how your children’s travelling needs may evolve over the years.  Don’t base the purchase decision solely on the one major road trip the family undertakes every year.  Also think about the shorter distances driven for various reasons throughout the year such as for hockey tournaments, ski weekends, cottage stays, or camping.  Even though they are less packing-intensive than a long road trip requires, the more luggage that can be stowed on top for any length of drive, the greater the comfort for passengers inside. 
• Think about what types of activities you foresee your family enjoying as the kids grow older.  Are camping excursions in the horizon?  Skiing?  More road trips to visit the In-laws?
• Consider the pressures of every season.  Some winter sports, such as skiing, require a lot of space and families may want to buy a carrier that is long enough to fit them.  If bicycling is a cherished family outing then perhaps the carrier should be narrow enough to allow a second rack for bicycles, too.  In Canada, every season is as unpredictable as the one before and after it.  Summer days can range from blistering heat to rainstorms.  And winters can be cold and dry or a never ending tribute to the power of the shovel.  This means the Canadian roadtripper has to be prepared for every kind of driving condition, and this should also be factored into the purchasing decision (and therefore, may make the basket an impractical choice for winter driving.)   

When my husband and I decided to purchase a Thule rooftop carrier, our kids were very young.  Because the main purpose of the carrier was to accommodate our luggage during the long road trips from Toronto to Florida, we could have purchased a small cargobox for a reasonable price.  However, Ted and I planned to introduce the kids to skiing eventually and decided, therefore, to buy the longest Thule carrier available to fit the skis we hoped we would be lugging.  Last winter we drove to Ellicottville for our first ski vacation.  While the kids found plenty of reasons to squabble and complain during the drive, not one of them whined about the lack of space.  All the ski equipment was packed on top.

Who’s in Charge of Packing for a Road Trip

Posted by Roadtrippingma on May 12, 2010 in Packing the car | 0 comments

In our household, the packing duties are divided between me and my husband with the rigidity of a 1950’s household.  He is responsible for the heavy lifting and strategic positioning of our “stuff” in the minivan.  I’m the gatherer.  I assess the needs of the family members then collect fragments from every corner of our abode until a miniaturized version of our household is assembled upon the floor in the front hallway. 

Rarely do these two roles intersect.  And while our “Me Tarzan, You Jane” separation of duties can be a source of strife in many aspects of a relationship, it actually works well in the context of preparing for a road trip.  For one thing, it prevents fighting.  And when a family is about to embark on a long drive together in a small, confined space, it’s not ideal to start the trip with a cloud of resentment hovering over the front seat of the car. 

Our ritual is simple.  On the date of departure (or the day before, if we’re leaving before dawn), I review my checklists and slowly build an arsenal of necessities for the trip.  I’m in the zone – gliding from drawer to cupboard to closet.  I can practically hear Snow White whistle while I work.  If Ted suddenly wanders into my zone with his comments or questions, I cringe.

“Did you pack the camera?”

“When will you be done?”

“Don’t forget the passports.  Did you print the map?”

“Please let me do this,” I’ll reply through a forced smile.  Or I’ll send him off to grab a few things for me.  Either response tends to elicit a quick withdrawal of his presence.

Generally, Ted understands why I want my solitude.  After all, he does not want me in his way when it’s time to pack the car.  If anything, his intrusions are less about a desire to help me, and more a desire to move into the next stage – filling the car.  Our established routine took years to define.  I used to load suitcases into the car, thinking I was being helpful.  Ted would then proceed to pull everything out, shaking his head with a laugh. 

“That’s not how you pack a car,” he’d chide me as I stood beside him, bewildered.

I still don’t know the secret to car packing.  Whether men trade clandestine tips about how to get the most space out of a vehicle, or they are hardwired at birth to excel at this role, I don’t know.  But I’ve learned to let him do it the way he wants.  No matter how much he curses and huffs and puffs with frustration – it’s best to not interfere.  That’s all part of the process.  And, keeping the peace is as much a goal as readying the car to leave.  Anger can take up a lot of space in small quarters, too.

Top Ten Things You Never Thought to Pack on Your Road Trip

Posted by Roadtrippingma on Apr 14, 2010 in Gadgets, Packing the car, Top Ten Lists | 0 comments

1. Small Tupperware containers or plastic baggies – Don’t bother with overpriced, environmentally-unfriendly individually wrapped snacks.  Pack small containers or baggies to fill for each child from a bag of munchies.  Passing back the entire bag for them to “share” will guarantee fights over who got more, as well as a nasty mess of crumbs.  Also handy is the ability to toss snacks to the back of a minivan, well, that and a good aim.
2. Wet wipes – Fingers covered in sugar, salt, chocolate, ketchup and more are guaranteed to rub artistic renderings all over the car upholstery unless prevented with the hasty pull of a moist wipe.  A more earth-friendly and economical choice is to keep a Ziploc with one or two damp cloths handy.
3. Empty pitcher with a lid – No, it’s not to make orange juice.  It’s a barf pitcher.  Hopefully it will never be used but should a child suddenly complain of an upset stomach, reach for the pitcher.  Have you ever seen a three year old try to hold a bag open to vomit?  I have.  It ain’t pretty.  The barf pitcher is easier to use than a bag, is leak-proof, and provides peace of mind (sorta.) 
4. Paring knife – Getting sick of junk food?  (This is directed at the parents, not the kids.)  Stop at a grocery store or farmer’s market along the way and pick up some fresh fruit or vegetables.  While some produce can be munched whole, it’s helpful to have a knife for others, such as carrots, cantaloupe, cucumbers.
5. Laundry soap  – “Accidents” and spills do happen along the way and, thankfully, running water is readily available at most every stop.  Laundry detergent, however, is harder to come by.
6. Griddle and flipper – If you want to avoid stale froot loops and day-old muffins offered at the hotel’s free continental breakfast, spark up the griddle beside the TV and serve fried eggs and bacon right in the room.
7. Garbage bag – This is so obvious that it seems ridiculous to include, however, it’s amazing how many times we’ve forgotten to pack any kind of garbage bag and have had to use an empty potato chips bag, instead.  Two empty grocery bags should do it.
8. Overnight bags – Planning to stop at a hotel along the way?  Save time and effort by packing a separate overnight bag for everyone that includes pyjamas, essential toiletries, and a change of clothes.  This way, you don’t need to lug the large pieces of luggage out of the car (or roof top carrier) until the final destination.  Also comes in handy if there is a messy accident and someone needs a quick change of clothes.
9. Toilet rolls – Think road side hotel, two in the morning, four-year-old has to go, and the room is fresh out of toilet paper.  It could happen.  Don’t let it.
10. Corkscrew – Celebrate!  It’s the end of the driving day, and you’ve survived day one (or two, or three) of your family road trip.  You might get lucky and find a screw top bottle of wine in that rinky dink town you’re in, but why take the chance?