1. Have A Container For Trash
Having a trash container in your car is essential and perhaps the most obvious solution. You can use different containers, including a reusable bag, a cereal container, or a plastic bag. Ensure you select a container that is easily accessible but is not prone to spilling its contents if you take a sharp turn.
It is an excellent way to get everyone used to throwing the trash away immediately instead of discovering them stuck on things weeks or months later. You should also apply this in the car and the house, as making it a routine ensures everything stays tidy.
2. Teach Your Kids To Be Observant
It is not uncommon for kids to be preoccupied with their devices or even books while their parents drive. But it will be best to encourage your kids not to have these things in the car unless you are going for a long drive, then they can have these and toys or busy bags. Instead, encourage them to look out of the window, sing, talk, and ask you any questions they may have.
Constantly having your kids be preoccupied with devices and other things in the car make them expect you to offer them entertainment, and kids do not need to learn entertainment. Kids should learn how to entertain themselves. You can, of course, make exceptions when you are going on a road trip.
3. Allow The Kids To Get In And Out
Depending on the type of vehicle you own, sometimes it can be challenging for kids to get into the vehicle. The best thing to do is to allow them to take their time to climb into and out of the vehicle, as kids love and enjoy the challenge. If you have three kids or more, you know that it takes time to strap them in, so you need all the help you can get.
Suggestion: 9 Best Garage Floor Mats For Under Cars in 2022 To Buy Online
Allow them to climb into the vehicle, get seated, and then you can buckle the top clip of their car seats. Ensure you also go around and lock their bottom seat belt, and you will be ready to get going. While it may appear to be a small thing, there are plenty of these small things that your young ones can do by themselves. It also makes your work easier.
4. Have A Signal
Having a signal is a mental health sanity saver. For instance, if you are a highly sensitive individual, it is highly likely external stimuli like smell and noise affect you. While you may not mind hearing your kids playing, laughing, or having the occasional chatter, too much of it will affect you.
It may help to teach your kids a signal so that when you need a few minutes of silence, you can let them know. The signal does not have to be complicated. It can be as simple as raising your hand and asking them not to talk until you put your hand down. A signal is essential and effective, especially when the kids fight or have one of those ‘he started it’ moments.
5. Ensure Your Devices Are Not Within Reach
Once you try it, you will realize how essential it is not to have your phone within reach while you are on the road. Of course, according to the law, you are not supposed to be texting or using your phone while driving. But you cannot say that you are not easily tempted to check or scroll your phone when you stop at the red lights. If this happens a lot, you may have a problem.
Popular For You: 9 Best All-Purpose Cleaner For Car Interior Review in 2022 To Buy Online
Learn to sit at red lights and wait for them to turn green without reaching for your phone. To avoid reaching out for your phone, you can have it in your purse and then place it on the floorboard of the passenger side. If it keeps ringing and you think it is an important call, you can always pull over.
6. Have An Emergency Kit
Often, the back of our vehicles is full of items we have no use for or things we forgot. It will be best if you take the time to clean out the back of your vehicle and make that space useful by creating an emergency kit. Your emergency kit can contain whatever you deem necessary and useful. Take all your children’s needs into consideration when building an emergency kit.
Emergency kits do not need to cost a fortune. On the contrary, there are multiple items you can have in your kit that will not require you to spend much, including:
- Gloves and a warm blanket, especially if you live in a cold climate area
- A rope (in case you ever need help hauling your car)
- Duct tape
- Rags
- Flashlight
- Snack bar
- An outfit for each family member
- Jumper cables
- Water bottles
7. Deal With The Smell
Your children may leave so many things in your car, from crumbs to sweat-soaked shoes. As a result, your vehicle may have a very unpleasant smell. Luckily when you use car mats they are easily removed and cleaned keeping bad smells at bay. You can choose to have your windows rolled down when you drive.
But your kids may not like having the windows down, so what can you do? There are different remedies you can try to keep your car smelling nice.
Sprinkling baking soda on upholstering before hoovering can help to eliminate smells. For stubborn odours try spraying with white vinegar, the vinegar smell will disappear as it dries. There are different car fresheners in the market you can use to get rid of the smell, but you may have to try other brands before you find something that works. While you can select different air fresheners to deal with the smell, teaching your kids to be tidier when in the car may also be easier.
