Coping With Thanksgiving Travel Stress

Thanksgiving - a time for tributes, turkey, and, well... travel. Thanksgiving is America's busiest weekend for travel. It is, after all, a time of happy family reunions when people journey distances-long and short-to be with family and friends. But for parents travelling with young kids, the holiday spirit could be tinged with anxiety. Here are some tips to help you make your travel experience less stressful:

o Plan ahead: Travel plans can always go awry. And when you are travelling with a bunch of kids in tow, they most certainly will. You can avoid a lot of travel stress by planning each step of the journey in detail, beforehand.

o Beat the rush: Jammed highways, with traffic moving at snail's pace is often an unfortunate reality during the Thanksgiving weekend. However, since the rush starts only by Wednesday, you can beat it by starting out a day earlier, on Tuesday. Another alternative would be to take a train or plane to your destination, instead of driving.

o Take frequent breaks: If you expect your kids to sit straight through the ten-hour drive to grandma's without complaining, you are asking for trouble. Ensure that you plan sufficient stops on the way, for snacks and to let the kids use the bathroom, for instance.

o Keep them occupied: Kids will be kids. They are bound to get bored and weary. And they will react by throwing tantrums and being difficult. Your best bet is to keep them happy. Pack in a couple of toys, favorite books, and puzzles to help pass the time. Another way to keep them entertained is to engage in simple fun activities, like singing, reciting poems, or reading out the billboards on the way.

So much for history. What the day has come to mean for most of us is family gathering together over the traditional Thanksgiving dinner - turkey and all the trimmings. And that's the spirit you want to capture in your Thanksgiving photographs - the spirit of family and togetherness.

Save a list of Travel & More

Make a list of all the things that you may have to take them - not to save any item - you can always add or scratch - depending on the type of travel (air-car-bus, etc.) at the beginning of the week or so there before the scheduled date of departure and print a copy. It will be easier if you categorize concepts. For example ... Batch set "and a list of all the toiletries, clothing list, list of all the cameras list of requirements, camera, phone, and electronic devicestogether.

Don't forget to include items like the E-Z pass, change for tolls, credit cards; and, of course, those special items for each traveler be it child or senior citizen. About a week or so before the date of departure, print out a copy and as you begin to assemble items on the list, check them off. You'll find you will think of something else to include, so add it on. This will help eliminate finding out, after you're on the road five hours later that you thought of something and wondered if you packed it - and more than likely, forgot it.

Having saved the "Traveling List" on your computer ... it will be there for you to print out again, with additions and/or corrections, if necessary - a most helpful Cowzy Cue!

TOILETRIES: CLOTHES:

___ Toothbrushes/cleaners ___ Kerchief(s)

___ Toothpaste ___ Underwear

___ Denture Cup/Tablets ___ Pajamas

___ Scope ___ Night Shirt

___ Deodorant ___ Robe/Housecoat

___ Q-Tips ___ Socks

___ After Shave Cologne ___ Stockings/Knee Highs

___ Shampoo ___ Short Sets

___ Conditioner ___ Sweat Suit

___ Hair Clips/Barettes ___ Bathing Suit

___ Hair Comb/Brushes ___ Skirt

___ Hair Bands ___ Jacket

___ Hair Dryer ___ Raincoat

___ Hair Spray ___ Shoes/Sandals

___ Cologne/Perfume ___ Slippers

___ Shower Cap ___ Slacks

___ Soap ___ Shirts/Blouses

___ Razors ___ Coat

___ 2nd Pair (Sun) Glasses

MEDS: SUNDRIES:

___ Prescriptions ___ Candies/Gum

___ Vitamins ___ Camera/Camcorder

___ Personal Creams ___ Extra Film/Tapes

___ Specific items for each individual ___ Thermos

___ Vitamins ___ Water Bottle

___ Children's specific items ___ Cooler/Freezer Packs

CASH: ALONG THE WAY:

___ Credit Cards/Cash ___ Towel/Wet Washcloth

___ License ___ Sandwiches

___ Registration/Ins. IDs ___ Wipes

___ Cell Phone + Charger ___ Snacks

Additional Suggestions:

Some time before the trip, share the Traveling List with other members who will travel with you, especially children, adding to the List any item such individual will want or need to make his or her trip more pleasant and comfortable in turn, making it so for everyone else.

Along with the useful Traveling List ... a day or two ahead of the trip, lay out the clothing and/or items to be worn or used for each individual. This will eliminate the last minute rush of "what to wear" and "what to take." This way too, an item can be added to the List and won't be forgotten.

For long trips and overnight stays, be sure to take along items of interest to each individual for use at night at motels and/or hotels. For example, new DVDs or VCRs, coloring books, crossword puzzle books, knitting and/or crocheting supplies, if desired.

You might call ahead and ask of motel and/or hotel if DVD and/or VCR players are available. Also inquire if pets are allowed if traveling with you.

Some time before the trip, print out a set of address labels. These will be most useful and readily available for mailing of letters, postcards, pictures and/or souvenirs along the trip. A good supply of stamps will help also.

Take the time to "map out" your route, using an up-to-date Atlas. Also, ahead of the trip, make note of special features along the route worthy of sightseeing and/or a specific stop. Work any detours for such special places into the trip. (Most "items of interest" are usually at least a half hour off the main road).

States will provide, (most free of charge) brochures listing places to see with fees and charges.