Are we there yet? 20 tips for staying sane on your next family road trip

DVD’s ‘check’ , road trip games ‘check’ , kids  fueled up on protein ‘check’, toilet spots located on the map ‘check’ plus bottle of wine for the end ‘check’,  now you are almost ready to hit the road!

20 Tips to help you stay sane on the road

1. Bring a laptop or some other device on which to watch DVDs, iPod or Nintendo DS. Or better still all of the above.
2. Definitely take advantage of the Driver Reviver stops. Kids are offered cordial, Tiny Teddies or other mini-packets of Arnotts biscuits and pamphlets galore. Plus the toilets are usually clean. www.driverreviver.com.au
3. Take rest breaks at any of the BIG attractions. To adults, the Big Prawn at Ballina or the sad-looking fibreglass Ayers Rock near Newcastle are relics from the 70s, but to kids they are awesome.
4. Make sure the kids eat a healthy (high protein, low carb) meal before you leave home. There’s nothing worse than a hyped-up kid on a sugar trying to get out of his/her seatbelt.
5. Pack cool water and plenty of bite-sized snack food that is unlikely to make too much mess (dried fruit, toast, plain biscuits, squares of cheese).
6. Re-stock your supply of wipes and tissues before you go – plus bring small bags for rubbish (they’re useful for travel sickness too!).
7. Log on to www.thefoodcoach.com.au and check out the Healthy Cafes section. Just type in your route and the website locates the best café stops.
8. Give the kids a target. For example, name the next rest stop and get them to count down the kilometres.
9. Point out the road kill – kids have a macabre fascination with counting dead animals.
10. Play Spotto: You have to shout ‘Spotto’ every time you see a yellow car. Let them do this until it drives you mad then distract them with road kill.
11. Learn the alphabet or make up funny sentences using the letters on number plates.
12. The contrary game. For example, the opposite of black is what? Educational and time consuming.
13. Bring along a handful of small toys to give as prizes. The first person to see the ocean gets the digger.
14. Invest in an Etch a Sketch. The kids can draw for hours without making a mess. Alternatively, bring along some washable markers and colouring-in books.
15. Whatever you do, don’t play one of those annoying CDs with nursery rhymes. They will drive you slowly insane.
16. Classical music is a godsend, whether it’s on CD or ABC Classic FM. It seems to have a soporific effect.
17. When the kids start arguing, it’s time to refuel (them, as well as the car). Remember to keep your cool and not join in! Kids are not responsible for traffic jams and getting lost.
18. Research the places en route that sell decent coffee. There’s nothing worse than drinking dirty dishwater when you’re having a nervous breakdown.
19. To find out the cleanest toilet stops, log on to www.toiletmap.gov.au
20. Take a good bottle of wine to celebrate the journey’s end.