Think of the sun

Well, the weather has definitely turned, and Autumn is now upon us.

While, the sun we had last week made us think that Summer had finally come, I know now while looking out of the window, with the wind and the rain that it has  gone. It is the season when animals start to hibernate and while all I want to do is exactly that, I know I can't.

I must sit here and think of sunnier climes. I must not hibernate (really not going to happen unless I metamorphosis into a hedgehog!). I must not get jealous of the fact that my dad and uncle are a quarter of a way through their round the world retirement trip. (They are currently in Fiji on their way to New Zealand - where they'll get to watch with baited breath France play Wales- here's hoping!)

So what have I been doing to while away the days. Well I've been thinking of Summer holidays.

For the last couple of years, we have holidayed in the UK, and though I have seen many of the UK's loveliest corners I do wish we could do something special next year.

I am thinking of taking the kids to DisneyLand Paris ©, of taking all three kids (yes, one Neb -big kid) on ferries to France and watching their faces light up with joy.

© Disney

I remember going on many holidays in my childhood on ferries and though am not the best on a boat (yes, its big and has stabilisers * I still get a bit sick) I would love for them to experience a different country.

But what to do, with them in the car, well as we have travelled many a far distance in this country, I think that I may have one or few ideas:

10. Make sure you pack enough food for the journey and more 

9.  Have a CD of their favourite tunes in the car - this doesn't have to be twee kids stuff either, both of mine love to rock with the best of them

8. Play in-car games e.g I spy, motorway bingo (the one who sees the most of a particular colour car wins), I went to the shops, My House,

7. Make sure that they have books in the car. While Car is still too young to read for herself, she stills has fun with lift the flap book and a teddy. If you do have older kids, like Bel, make sure they don't read for too long as you may one day get the I feel sick shout.

6. Bring along any electrical gizmo's that you have, Bel has her DS which she will play while Car sleeps. One of these days, I may even invest in a portable DVD player (a godsend according to some friends)

5. Plan your stops, though Neb hates having to stop for anyone and prefers to do it all in one go, it is always best with restless kids to stop. On a recent trip to Cumbria, I discovered that Car has a thing for toilet flushing systems and loves the sensor ones in some service stations. These are also a good place to get more food, especially if they've eaten the whole lot.

4. Let them sleep. If you can get the little monsters, darlings to sleep then peace is always a good thing to make parents travels happier

3. Sing songs. If you've played the CD to death and can't stand listening to Poker Face any longer, then nursery rhymes and songs sung in silly voice by parents will always lead to happy cars

2. Give them a simple map of the journey. This is great as you not only have interested children but it also lets Neb know that my map reading is not that shit!

1. Keep calm, frazzled children + frazzled parents doesn't a good holiday make. Keep Calm and enjoy yourself!

So, I hope that's helped if you have a car journey/holiday going on soon.I'm off to share these on the P&O Spellbook page, helping other parents stay calm.

And remember, you have the chance to win a holiday to - just go to the P&O facebook page, hurry you have until the 15th of October to do so.

BNM

* My dad always told me that they had stabilizers on and I shouldn't get sick because of that - needless to say it didn't work

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