In schools, our children practice fire, tornado, and disaster drills. There's a little secret the teachers use to make sure those drills go well. They become a game. Not only that, but the teachers have a bag prepped with materials to keep children quiet or busy, depending on what is happening.
Fast forward to a simple drive home from school or dance practice-and your car overheats or you blow a tire. Your first instinct is to call a tow service, but what do you do with the carpool of kids in your car?
The first thing to pack in your emergency car bag is a non-perishable snack. Go for crackers, dehydrated food, or maybe something that will take a very long time to unwrap. Get the kiddos going on that and enjoy a few minutes of dealing with your car without whining.
Next, think about activities. This can be something fun, something they never get to play with. Wrap up some dollar store toys in layers of paper so the kids have to keep on unwrapping. Again, you are trying to kill time, so put activities in there that will keep them occupied in a fun way.
In the event that you are out late, be sure to pack some mini-flashlights. If your car is stalled and you want to conserve your energy, it can be dark, and that can be scary for the kids. Giving them each a flashlight can give them the power to control the light and what they see. And come on, aren't shadow puppets fun?
I'm sure there are lots of tricks that you have as a parent to occupy your children on the road, but, when it comes to an emergency, prepare yourself. Realize your limits as a parent and understand that with the added stress of a vehicle failure you may not be as on your game as you usually are. That's why prepping a secret, "fun bag" is a great way to buy yourself the time to keep everyone safe
If a case does arrive where you happen to be stuck on the side of the road make sure you find a quality company with good ratings. The last thing you want is to be stranded at night and have poor service.
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