Cut out sugary snacks. Children are a natural bundle of energy without the help of extra sugar, so avoid feeding your kids lots of sweets and candy, especially as bedtime approaches. Instead, incorporate smart, healthy snacks into their diet, including vegetables, pretzels, fruits and nuts. Too much sugar in a child's diet can lead to hyperactivity, as well as mood changes, something you'll want to manage while living in such close quarters.
Engage your children in fun family activities. In an effort to keep the peace, as well as to avoid a mutiny, engage your children in physical and mental activities. Involve your son or daughter in everyday routines. Whether it's helping to cook dinner or clean up after, keep your children from becoming idle and uninvolved. Challenge your kids to a game of cards or kickball so that when bedtime rolls around, it won't seem like such a bad idea. And while it might be tempting to allow your kids to whittle away the day on a computer or hand-held video game, insist they spend quality time with the family.
Set boundaries. While going away on vacation is a fabulous way to escape the everyday routine of your home life, it is no reason for your kids to take advantage of you. It is important you sit your children down and go over the ground rules while you are on the road. According to NaturalNews.com, setting boundaries creates secure children. Whether you are at home or on vacation, establishing boundaries sends the message to your children that you care.
Keep to a routine. It's no secret that your child's behavior depends a great deal on keeping up a healthy schedule. Nothing will set his mood off like going outside of his regular routine. It's important your child knows what to expect in any given day, whether it's what time he goes to bed or whether or not he gets a bath after breakfast. Kids depend on routine. It is the unspoken rule in parenting, the one essential ingredient that can make or break a good day, much less a vacation spent in the family camper.
Pick your battles. Choosing to vacation in the family camper might seem idyllic, but it's more realistic to expect some chaos in the kid department. It's what parenting is all about. Being on the road won't change that, so it's important you police your patience. No matter how hard you try or how much you stick to your routine, kids will be kids. They are going to test your temper. And you don't want to spend the entire vacation in the camper yelling at your children. That defeats the purpose of escaping home life. Practice patience by picking your battles, and remember to enjoy your children, even when it's not always easy.
