•

Anticipate emer-
gencies. Don't pack
just enough milk or
diapers to get you through the
allotted time for the flight or
drive. Trips always take longer
than you thought, and flights
invariably are delayed. I had a
friend whose plane made an
unscheduled stop in Shannon
Airport in Ireland for six hours
during the night, and she was
saddled with screaming chil-
dren until she begged a flight
attendant to help her secure
her baby essentials. From then
on, she always took spare sup-
plies.

0

`--,
/-

Bring a bag along
that's stuffed with
some new toys,
gadgets, crayons and paper.
When your child gets bored
and restless, pull out a brand-
new toy from the bag for her
to play with. Make sure you
tell your children they have to
wait another 30 minutes or so
/-• until you'll pull out another ac-
tivity from the bag.

06

Bring a variety of
snacks along so
you don't get
caught if your children sudden-
ly decide they hate a former fa-
' vorite treat. With car trips,
stopping to eat at restaurants
can be costly and take a lot of
time. You might get to your
destination before the children
realize they haven't had a
proper eating break. You can
• make snack time a part of your
exercise and rest breaks.

If both parents
make the trip, take
turns entertaining
the children. That will keep
both of you fresh and less irrita-
ble for longer. Children will un-
derstand that Mom is "off
duty" for now and Dad's in
charge, or vice versa. Having
an official "rest break" gives
both partners the chance to re-
vitalize themselves.

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C a m p; at K ir dGr Gc, ra

Plan some games
before you board
the plane or step
inside the car. You may be able
to devise your own, like word
or drawing or song games,
which rely solely or your imag-
ination or just a few supplies.
Or you can visit a bookstore or
toy shop for more ideas.

Make Sure Your Child
Is A "Happy Camper"
This Summer

Pack toys that
you can leave
behind when
the trip is over, if necessary.
Children's stuff takes up most
of the suitcase room, so any-
thing you can do to minimize
what you have to lug back
helps. This way, the new items
they've acquired on the trip
have somewhere to go in the
car and suitcase, plus it doesn't
all pile up in their rooms at
home. And if you leave the old
stuff at a relative's house, it's al-
ways there when you come
back, and it will seem like new
to your children when they see
it again.
If all this sounds like a lot of
work, it is. I always think I
could plan a military battle
more easily than a stress-free
trip with my children. Which
brings me to my final point: If
you can avoid traveling until
your children are older, that's
the best plan.

At KinderCare's Summer Champs Program,TM your child will enjoy a whole new

and different learning experience and participate in many new activities. From music,

art and nature hikes to sports, games and water activities. Al designed to bring out

new creativity and the hidden talent in your child.

The Summer Champs Program, only at KinderCare. Register for some or all of our

weekly camps. Preschool to 12 years. Space is limited. Call for a complete camp activ-

ity schedule.

Farmington Hills

Southfield

25005 Middlebelt Road
(810) 477-4040

25345 Evergreen Road
(810) 357-3390

West Bloomfield

Troy

6615 Middlebelt Road
(810) 855-1963

5135 Coolidge Highway
(810) 641-8480

KinderCare

©1995 KinderCare Leaming Centers, Inc.
Offer limited.

0)

FEB RUARY

along a bottle of liquid Be-
nadryl to ease their symptoms,
especially on a plane. It has the
• lovely side effect of making
them sleepy, too.

11