Traveling with a baby for the first time is a massive shock to the system. And while it can be stressful you’ve got to remember that as a baby they don’t do much at this point! It’s when they get older that things can prove quite challenging. Even if you think you’re a fantastic driver having an over-excited child in the back that is screaming directly into your ear canal can impact your ability somewhat! So what can you do as your children grow older to grow your abilities behind the wheel?
Reduce Your Distractions
Distractions are everywhere in a car and they are everywhere on the road! If you consult highly accomplished car accident lawyers they will tell you that distracted driving is culprit number one! And this means that you’ve got to work hard at minimizing your distractions in the car. This could mean turning the music off or making sure that there aren’t many visual distractions in your periphery. Your goal is to focus on the road and this means that if you increase the number of distractions inside the vehicle this will reduce your reaction time. Think about leaving enough space between you and the car in front, but also think about what can placate your child without distracting you too much. Giving them a coloring book or their favorite toy can be a great distraction. If they focus on that, they won’t raise their voice so much so you can focus on the road!
Implement The Right Sort Of Discipline
This is crucial when you are driving long journeys. Being organized is key but you’ve got to remember that a long journey can result in tempers rising. You have got to minimize the demands from your child in the backseat but also so make sure that they understand that you have to drive the car. Some children don’t listen or care and this means that you may very well have to threaten to turn the car around and go home. Sometimes we have to call their bluff but if you’ve got a child that continues to push it this is when you have to lay down the law.
Introduce Games On Long Journeys
You need to keep your children occupied but you’ve got to do it in the right way. Rewarding quiet behavior can help you to focus on the road. A game like “I Spy” is a fantastic example. It doesn’t have to result in a lot of shouting or moving around but it can also capture their attention. Even if you aren’t going on a long journey asking them to play certain games like “Who Can Be Quiet The Longest” can give you enough time to focus on getting to your destination.
It’s also important to remember that if you feel disorganized or stressed that this will have a major impact on your ability to drive. When the children in the back are making lots of noise it can be a balance between laying down the law but also learning to improve your resilience. But if you can follow these three rules you won’t go far wrong
Leave a Reply