Travelling With Your Toddler

• Bring along some drawing supplies. Kids love to get creative when they are riding. If you're worried about having artwork on your toddler's clothing or the seats of your car, there are plenty of no-mess art options available. There are markers that only draw on special paper, magnetic drawing boards, and Etch-a-Sketches, for example.
• Bring some favorite toys, but make sure they are easy to grab if dropped. There's nothing worse than riding down the road peacefully, then all of a sudden hearing wails of discontent because your toddler has dropped his favorite toy. Larger toys are easier for someone else in the car to grab, and if you have to stop you won't have to hunt for them in every nook and cranny.
• Don't forget to bring snacks. Toddlers inevitably get hungry during trips, and it doesn't always happen at mealtime. Healthy snacks such as Cheerios or raisins fit nicely into snack baggies and allow your child to help himself. You could fill a sippy cup or two with juice to bring along in a cooler as well.
• Pillows are essential if you are going to be traveling more than a couple of hours. Your toddler will get sleepy at some point on trips longer than that, and sleepy often equals cranky. Keeping your toddler comfortable will help ensure that he doesn't wake up cranky as well.
• Get something new to give your toddler when departing. It doesn't have to be anything expensive. Just a new book or coloring book should generate enough excitement to keep your child occupied for many miles.
• Plan a realistic number of rest stops. If you will be in the car for several hours, you will probably need to stop at least every two hours. If your child is potty trained you may have to alter your rest stop schedule a bit. But making sure to stop every so often and let your toddler stretch his legs will help ward off crankiness.
• Bring some of your toddler's favorite music and have a sing along. This has the potential to keep your toddler occupied for hours on end, and it gives you something that you can do together while riding.

Road trips with your toddler can be enjoyable for all involved. Bringing along enough supplies to keep him occupied and his stomach full will help ensure his happiness. And a happy toddler is the key to a pleasant ride.

Car Seats and Your Toddler

Car seats are a frequent source of confusion for parents. Some seats are designed to be used for babies, some for toddlers, and some for both. And installation can vary from seat to seat. Add to that the state-to-state variations in car seat laws, and it's easy to see how one might be puzzled.

Fortunately, there is help. Car seat manufacturers are required to make the age and weight limits of their seats clear. All new car seats are held to strict government standards. And free car seat inspections are becoming widely available, so you can have an expert look at your seat and see if it meets requirements and is installed correctly.

Car Seat Safety Tips

A car seat can protect your toddler, but only if it is used correctly. Here are some things to remember.

• Your toddler is safest when placed in the back seat. Back there he has less chance of being thrown from the vehicle in the event of a crash. Some states have laws that require children under certain ages to be in the back seat if possible.
• Toddlers should not be placed where there is an airbag. Most newer model vehicles, however, have an airbag on/off switch you can use if your toddler must ride in the passenger seat.
• Children who are under 1 year of age need to be in a rear facing seat, regardless of their weight. After his first birthday, your child can ride in a forward facing toddler seat if he meets the weight requirement.
• Belt positioning booster seats provide maximum safety for children over 40 pounds. An increasing number of states are passing laws requiring the use of booster seats until children weigh anywhere from 60 to 80 pounds. Even if your state doesn't require them, they are a good idea.
• Read the instructions that come with your child's safety seat carefully. Installation is usually fairly easy, but it pays to make sure you're doing it correctly.
• If the car seat is in a vehicle that is involved in a crash, it should be replaced. It may have been damaged even if it is not apparent.
• If your toddler objects to sitting in a car seat, stand your ground. Safety is not negotiable. Let him know that the seat is for his protection, and that other kids have to ride in them as well.

Car seats are essential to your child's safety when riding in a vehicle. They are also required by law for toddlers. Shopping around to find a model that is comfortable, durable, and easy to install is well worth it, because you will be using it for a few years.