MOTHER-DAUGHTER ROAD TRIP There’s nothing quite like the adventure of a mother-daughter road trip. It’s actually a rite of passage for a teen girl and her mom. Whether you head east to Niagara Falls, west to the Grand Canyon, south to Gulf Shores, north to Mackinac Island or just play spin the compass, we’ve come up with Five Essential Tips that will ensure a successful trip when hitting the road!
1. Be Prepared Once your family agrees on a destination, research all of the fun stops along the way. Calculate the distances and travel times between points and chart out an optimal route that hits all of the places you want to see.
2. Be Safe Access to roadside assistance, such as AAA, is a must. Always make sure someone knows where you are. Booking hotels prior to leaving is also wise. Pack a survival kit for the car as well–portable chargers, bug spray, sunscreen, towels, an umbrella, a first aid kit, and water bottles will be some of the items in this kit.
3. Be Healthy With the golden arches and a Cracker Barrel every half mile, along with the gourmet gas station snacks, make sure to pre-pack healthier options for your trip. Protein bars, fruit, and sandwiches are our staples.
4. Be Organized Pack overnight hotel bags separate from the items that will remain in the car. Keep everything in containers, (including ear buds so they don’t tangle). Bringing a few garbage bags, baby wipes, hand sanitizer and tissues will help you be prepared for those unexpected messes. Dryer sheets will be your backpacks’ best friend.
5. Be Spontaneous
One of the best things about a road trip is that there are no rigid schedules. That means you have all the time in the world to explore and enjoy. Make time for those radio jam sessions, classic corny road trip car games, sharing secrets, laughs, hopes and dreams. You’ll definitely make some mistakes--you may even lose your way…but trust us, this is where you’ll find something so much more important. A road trip is all about the journey. So here’s to your hair blowing in the wind and your gas tank never being empty.
ABOUT THE BLOGGERS Naperville mom and teacher, Kristen Kainrath and her teen daughter, Brooke, are a mother-daughter travel-blogging team who have always shared an incurable case of wanderlust. Their goal is to inspire girls to follow their passions and appreciate the diversity of our global community. Follow them on their journeys at www.pedisnpassports.com and watch for their monthly article inside Glancer Magazine in 2017.
