Posted on February 19, 2018
- Avoid food in the car.Yes, it’s easier said than done, we start out with good intentions, but sometimes we need the kids to eat on the move, whether we’re rushing from school to an activity or simply need to keep them occupied on a long journey. But where you can, don’t make car snacking the norm.
- Failing that…keep a bag in the car for the rubbish. Every parent’s car I know has remnants of sticky sweets hiding under car seats or crumbs in hard to reach crevices. Imagine how long they’ve been there! If there’s absolutely no getting away from eating in the car, make sure there is a rubbish bag which they put their empty crisp packet or apple core in every time. If they get used to doing it, it teaches them good habits.
- Empty the rubbish as soon as you get home – Yes, I know most parents get out of the car juggling their phone, bag, children’s bags and maybe even a child or two, so it’s tempting to leave the rubbish until the next day, then the next, and the next. By employing the ‘rubbish bag in the car’ tip above, it makes it much easy for you to pick up the rubbish and throw straight in the bin, instead of grimacing when you gingerly pick up a two-day old banana skin! Or worse, still don’t!
- Keep toys to a minimum – They take their favourite toy out, they go to a party and open their party bag in the car, scattering annoying bits of tat everywhere. But will they pick them up; no that’s your job, silly! They can also be distracting to you and other drivers, being beaten over the head with an inflatable hammer, blinded by lights from toys you find at concerts or at seaside stalls or a flying Superman figure hurled by an angry tot. Try keep their attention with games to keep their minds occupied, this will also help improve their attention span.
- Get them involved – kids love to help cleaning; it’s not yet considered a chore, so make the most of their enthusiasm! Get them involved in cleaning up the inside and donning wellies for the fun ‘getting wet’ bit. Make it a monthly activity, so that they get used to keeping the car clean and while they’re doing the fun foamy stuff, why not take the opportunity to check your tyres and water and oil levels.