Over the summer we tend to do more traveling. All those hours in the car don't have to be wasted with DVD's and ipods. Take some time while you are in the car and you have a captive audience to spend some quality time with your spouse and children. I understand this completely because I will be in the car traveling for at least 33 hours this month.
Children grow up so fast. I say this all the time. Don't let life fly by at 70 miles an hour. Slow down and talk to your kids. Ask them about their favorite places and what they want to do when they get there. Tell them stories about the people you are going to visit and what those places mean to you. Are we there yet? Doesn't have to be the extent of the interaction in the car. Check back Wednesday when I will give you lots of things to do in the car including great conversation starters.
Even when we are driving around town I have had some great conversations with my kids. My 5 year old was asking about different jobs after some time with friends. We talked about my job (before I was a full time mommy) and the careers of my husband and other members of our family . Through that discussion she decided she wanted to be a veterinarian. That may change many times over the next 10 years but it is a dream of hers now and I'm glad we talked about it. It is hard when you are at home to stop what you are doing and talk to your kids about things. When you are in the car driving it can be a perfect time to have some great conversations.
Don't waste all the traveling time with your family. I encourage you to enjoy every opportunity to be with them, even in the car. Its not always about the destination. Some of the best memories may be made on the way!
