Dear Grandparenting: Call me a fool but here I go, back by popular demand and back on the road again. The lineup is me, three grandkids and my trusty 2014 Jeep Hemi V8 4×4, because we do like to go off-roading. We’re taking off in three weeks, heading for parts unknown.
Last year we put close to 6,000 miles on the Jeep exploring America’s scenic northwest. Starting from Cedar Rapids, we rolled out to see San Francisco, then up to Seattle and back home through Idaho, Montana and North Dakota. This year we’re shooting for New Orleans and the Texas Gulf Coast.
My best friend says I am certifiably insane to stay cooped up in a car with three youngish children. (My grandkids are 10, 12 and 13, one boy and two girls.) I figured the grandkids had enough after last year’s trip. But everyone is game and so am I. Too much worrying beforehand and you’ll never get going. Tell the world we’re about off on another Great American Adventure, family style, soon to return with a trunkful of memories. Craig Brown, Des Moines, Iowa
Dear Craig: Our hero! Not many grandparents would ever seriously consider embarking on such an adventure, much less dare repeat it. For far more, the best way to travel with young grandchildren is when the munchkins are asleep.
It’s one thing to care for a grandchild for several hours and quite another to be responsible for their wellbeing for an extended period. For grandparents with the requisite stamina and temperament contemplating their own great adventure, either big or small, here’s some food for thought:
You’ll probably never need them, but grandparents can’t go wrong packing consent documents from the parents verifying they have their permission to travel together. A notarized letter giving you authority to seek medical treatment is also advisable. Don’t forget copies of their proof of medical and dental insurance, along with any prescriptions they may need.
To keep the tantrums at bay, assemble a stash of snacks and drinks but do moderate your grandchildren’s sugar intake. It’s a good idea to plan stops every two-three hours, ideally at attractions along the way like a park or swimming hole where the kids can burn off nervous energy. Ask for their ideas as you plot your route, because it has to be a team effort.
Don’t object to their excess of electronic games and Internet equipment. It’s their entertainment, but we advise limiting usage. Instead try audiobooks on topics you and your little group can discuss together, or play words games as you drive along. Agree on bedtimes with their parents before setting off. Memories improve with visual stimuli, so buy postcards along the way and then have the grandkids write what they liked or disliked on the back. Happy bonding!
GRAND REMARK OF THE WEEK
Nappy Johnson from Kingsport, Tennessee, ended his bedtime story for grandson Jimbo by saying, “Sometimes things happen and nobody knows how or why.”
Jimbo, 6, cut in. “Yeah, only God and Santa know everything, right?”
