Long distance road trips with toddlers or infants can be a stressful experience, even when the trip is meant to be a vacation. But when the trip is required by your job, as, for example, when the military requires personnel to relocate to different military housing on bases throughout the country and throughout the world...well, the stress level can rise exponentially. Even worse, most military families have to move more than once in their careers, sometimes even more than once in a single year.
Here are some tips to ease the transition as much as possible for military families with small children.
Keep Them Entertained. Boredom is the number one enemy on long road trips. Be sure to bring lots of interesting things to keep your little ones entertained. Portable DVD players can be very helpful, but more low tech solutions can work just as well. Try an old-school activity, like spotting a license plate from every state. Give out a new toy for every state line you cross. And sing-a-longs can be a great way to pass the time, as well as perhaps providing a welcome release for Mom and Dad too.
Keep Them Active. Whatever Google Maps gives you for the travel time of your trip, add two or three hours. Not only will your little ones need diaper changes, bathroom breaks, and food stops, but they also simply need the chance to stretch their legs. Take full advantage of this time and run around with them. You will be amazed at how some quality outside fun can improve the miles spent in the car.
Keep Them Optimistic. Moving is a big step for everyone, but it can be especially scary for young children. Both military housing on base authorities as well as off base military rental housing authorities do everything they can to ease the transition for families with children, but it is up to you to explain to your little ones what is happening. And you may have to do it over and over again. Always frame the move in a positive light, and highlight the new things they will learn and experience.
Military housing websites exist to help you get the most out of military housing on base and off. Base specific sites and Facebook groups can be enormously helpful when finding your way around a new city or town. Never be afraid to reach out to your neighbors. They know exactly what you are going through, and could maybe use a helping hand themselves.
Read on and off base reviews to ease the anxiety of your next PCS!
