Baby’s First Road Trip: How to Survive the Road With Your Little One – Part 1

Life with a brand-new addition to the family is amazing and full of firsts. There’s the first smile, the first giggle, and the first few steps, which all send you over the moon as a parent. But with all the happiness that “firsts” bring, there are some that make parents extremely nervous. We’re talking about your baby’s first road trip. If your baby’s first road trip is coming up, make sure you follow our tips to make it as smooth as possible.

Preparation Is Key

As you already know, leaving your house ill-prepared is a big no-no when it comes to parents. This rule of thumb is especially important when it comes to road trips and we’re not just talking about a fully stocked diaper bag either.

You have to make sure the bag is in an easy-to-reach spot, there has to be a designated area for the changing pad, and you need to pack a change of clothes for the little one AND yourself. Also, since not all babies are fans of car seats, make sure you pack plenty of toys to keep your child entertained.

Snacks are a Must

It’s almost as if babies get hungry when it’s least convenient for you, right? When on your trip, you have to realize that your usual stops for food or a nice stretching session may not coincide with your baby’s needs to feed.

Of course, you’ll need to stop to feed your baby, but since you’ll likely have to avoid stopping to get yourself some food, snacks are a no-brainer. We’re talking PB&J sandwiches, fruits, nuts, and every type of snack that will keep you running but won’t leave you feeling gross.

Avoid Night Driving

You may be thinking you could put in a good amount of miles while your baby sleeps at night. However, it’s important that you consider every scenario. What happens if your baby decides to scream his/her head off while you drive? Or what if your car breaks down and you find yourself stranded with an unhappy spouse and an unhappier baby? So, take the high road and limit your driving to the day time.

4 Tips to Help Make Your Summer Trip a Bit Less Stressful and Tiring

Traveling for business or pleasure can leave you stressed and exhausted. After all, the amount of planning that goes into it makes it almost impossible to focus on anything else! To make things a little less stressful, we have a set of tips to make sure your next travel day goes as smoothly as possible.

Prepare Your Body

Whether you’re driving or flying, cramped spaces will make your body feel like garbage if you don’t prepare. The last thing you’ll want is to board your flight or climb into your car feeling groggy, bloated, and overall gross. It’s why we suggest getting enough sleep and eating a healthy diet in the days leading up to your departure. And remember, hydration and supplementation go a long way as well.

Double Check Everything Beforehand

Imagine arriving at your destination to find your hotel room was never reserved due to some mistake. To help you, we suggest that you prepare, prepare, prepare! Start by checking your flight schedule all the way up to the moment you leave for the airport. The last thing you’ll want is a delayed or canceled flight! If everything’s in order, then read up on the airport’s security protocol to help your boarding process go smoothly. Additionally, double-check your hotel room status before your arrival to avoid any issues.

Prepare Your Bag (The Right Way)

If you’re the type who tosses anything and everything into a suitcase, then you’re doing it wrong! By making a list of essentials and checking it off as you pack, you’ll avoid overloading your bags. In fact, avoid last-minute packing altogether! When you give yourself a few days to pack your bags, you allow yourself the opportunity to remember things you may have forgotten.

Prepare Your Travel Wardrobe

Travel is often uncomfortable when you don’t dress for it, so do yourself a favor and dress the comfiest you can! Whether you go for a comfy sweater, jeans, and sneakers, or a t-shirt, basketball shorts, and sandals, make your comfort a priority.

Playlist Makes Perfect: How to Craft the Best Collection of Songs for Your Road Trip!

Do you know that scene in so many movies where the main character blasts their favorite song in their car as they speed away along the highway? That could be you, minus the speeding, of course! All you need is an open road, a cool (and safe) vehicle, and the best playlist around. And if you need help with the third option, then we have a few pointers to help you create the best collection of songs for the road.

Use Segments

If you start your eight-hour trip with electronic music, you’re going to burn out two hours in – guaranteed. We believe it’s best to break up your entire trip into segments to keep you entertained and on your toes. We’re talking slow jams during the first segment of your trip, 80s pop during the second segment, the grunge segment, and so on.

Make it a Pre-Trip Priority

If you’re going to make a solid playlist for the road, we recommend squeezing a bit of time in beforehand for crafting your playlist. In fact, if you get it out of the way first, you can take it for a test run while you pack your bags!

A Bit of R & R

This means requests and rest! After all, there’s a big chance you won’t be taking your trip on your own. So, why not give your passengers the opportunity to play some of their favorite jams? We also recommend taking a few minutes to give your ears some rest! Just turn off the radio and make some space for conversation with your passengers. You won’t regret it!

Finding the Best Coverage That Fits Your Needs

Insurance is one of the most important things a driver can have in their arsenal, no matter what they drive or where they live. Without it, a driver might end up having to pay for their own repairs or vehicle replacement in the case of an auto wreck.

But, while its importance is undebatable, many still find insurance to be elusive, mysterious, and downright confusing. When faced with so many options, what type of insurance should you choose? The first step in making that decision is understanding and recognizing the types of protection available on the market.

The Choice is Yours

Deciding which type of coverage is best for you comes down to your situation. What you drive, where you live, how you drive, etc. will all play a role in the insurance you’ll secure. As you can imagine, there are different types of policies out there, and you’ll have to do a bit of research when deciding what to go with.

These include:

Liability Insurance – This is normally the minimum amount of coverage all drivers are required to have in almost every state.

Personal Injury – Insurance you’ll need to protect your family, friends, or other passengers in the event of an accident

Collision and Comprehensive – This protection comes into play when you aren’t able to cover the total loss of your vehicle in the event of an accident. Drivers who lease vehicles are generally required to have this protection.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist – This protection is used if you have an accident with an at-fault driver who either has no insurance or whose liability limits are unable to cover damage or medical expenses.

Rental Reimbursement, Roadside Assistance, Mechanical Breakdown – This insurance covers the costs related to minor events including flat tires or car breakdowns.

4 Reasons Why Roadside Assistance is a No-Brainer

What are the chances of being stranded on the road because of car trouble? You might be thinking that it’s low, especially if you take good care of your car or if it’s not very old. However, a car can break down anywhere for any reason, even if it’s a few weeks or months old. Roadside assistance is something you should look into to avoid spending a few minutes or even hours waiting for help.

Getting Locked Out

Almost all recent car models have safety precautions to prevent getting locked out, but if your car is older and still uses a traditional method of unlocking it, then this issue can be a possibility. With roadside assistance, this issue is a thing of the past and one that won’t require you to inconvenience a family member! Simply make the call and an expert will be there to help within a short while.

A Dead Battery

Getting into your car, turning the ignition, and being met with the click of a dead battery can ruin anyone’s day. In situations like these, roadside assistance is there to lend a helping hand. An expert is always ready to be at your location with jumper cables and anything else you need to get back on the road.

Flat Tires

Flat tires are so common that they can probably be considered the bane of any driver’s existence. This is especially troublesome when you consider that 60% of people don’t know how to change a tire, according to an NBC News report. Luckily, roadside assistance takes care of that. They’ll find you and get you on your way as soon as possible, whether you need a tire change or a quick repair.

An Unknown Breakdown

Sometimes, your car can just completely die on you. What’s worse is that, in these situations, you have literally no way of knowing what the problem could be. With roadside assistance, you don’t have to worry. An expert can tow your car to a mechanic or even to your home.

Yes, Your Car Deserves a Spring Cleaning, Too!

Each year, countless people roll their sleeves up and prepare for spring cleaning. They throw out old boxes, sort through old clothes, and spend hours (if not days) ridding their home of clutter. So, why not do the same for your car?

Remove Everything

The first thing you can do as you prepare to clean is remove everything from your car. We’re talking old drinks, the designated trash bags, seat covers, and even your floor mats. Doing so will provide the perfect starting point for the actual cleaning.

Vacuum, Vacuum, Vacuum!

That’s right, it’s time to haul out the old vacuum cleaner from deep in the closet along with every attachment it can possibly have and get to work! Remember, after months (if not years) of dirt and dust collecting, you’re going to need to really get in there to vacuum it all up. Use your hose attachments to get under the seats, into the cup holders, between car door compartments, and anywhere else dirt collects.

Mats and Covers

If you have cloth seat covers, now is the perfect time to toss them in the washer for a nice, deep cleaning. As for your mats, you’re going to want to wash them with the strongest nozzle on your hose if they’re plastic. If the gunk is deep, then use soap and brushes. If your mats are carpet, vacuum them separately and use cleaning solutions for any tough stains.

Move Onto the Outside

Once your car’s interior has been vacuumed, brushed, cleaned, and scented, it’s time to move outside. Now, whether you decide to wash your car yourself or visit a washer, there are a few things you can do to take the cleaning one step further:

Wipe down the windows and glass surfaces with glass cleaner

Hose down the underbody

Clean your upholstery and dashboard with approved cleaners

Organize the clutter in your center console

Make Strides by Becoming the Safest Driver Possible

Over the last few decades, advancements in car safety have skyrocketed. It’s added rear cameras, proximity sensors, and even improved braking systems! However, at the end of the day, you’re in full control of these machines. It’s the reason why it’s so important that you complement your car’s safety with your own.

Think Before You Drive

One of the most dangerous things you can do on the road is rush to your destination. Doing so puts you and other drivers at great risk. To avoid this, plan your trip ahead of time, no matter how big or small it is. This means staying on top of weather forecasts, evaluating your route, and staying informed about speed limits.

No Need for Anger

It isn’t uncommon for the road to get the better of us, especially when we’ve had long days at work. But to be a safe driver, you must be levelheaded. No matter what happens on the road or what happened earlier in your day, it’s important to be courteous to fellow drivers at all times.

Avoid Distractions

A glance at your phone is nothing major, right? Wrong! It takes only a split second for a devastating accident to occur. Keep distractions like your phone, the radio tuner, or any conversations at a minimum and pay attention to the road.

Use Common Sense

No matter where you’re going, common sense should always prevail. After all, you’re already aware of the rules of the road, so do the right thing and always abide by them. This means fastening your seatbelt as soon as you climb into your car and using the speed limit as a rule and not a mere suggestion.