Are we there yet?

Most people like to travel. This doesn't mean you have to take off to Paris, London or Rome. You can travel to your nearest park. You can travel across the province or across the country. How much travelling you do and how far you go will depend on your budget. Many families save during the year so they can travel in the summer months or at some other time. Decide how much you can put aside for travel and save a certain amount each month.

What about travelling with children? That can be fun or it can be a kind of torture for both kids and parents. If you're a parent, you've probably heard the question "Are we there yet?" many times. Kids don't see travelling the way adults do. They don't always enjoy it as much as we do. Scenery usually doesn't mean much to them. Counting moose, caribou or other wildlife doesn't count either. Kids can and do get bored. They might end up fighting in the back seat.

It helps to do some planning before you travel with children. Sit down with the kids and talk about the trip or vacation you are planning. Ask for their ideas. Find out where they want to go and what they want to do. A trip to the nearest park can be as much fun as a trip across Newfoundland.

Many kids enjoy camping. It's a great chance to learn about nature and practice a few survival skills. Getting everyone involved in planning can make the trip fun for all. The kids will feel it's their vacation, not just their parents' vacation.

If you're going on a long trip, planning is even more important Kids can get bored sitting in the back seat with nothing to do. Some kids are content to sit and listen to their Walkman. But younger kids can be harder to entertain. There are special travel games you can get for kids. Or you can make up and play your own games. Watching for license plates from various provinces and states is a favorite of some travellers. Other people enjoy quizzes. These quizzes can be written or spoken. For example, you can ask questions like, "What is the capital of Newfoundland?" and "Who is the Prime Minister of Canada?" You can make the questions as easy or hard as you wish. There are quiz books you can get to make this game easier.

Make stops along the way if you're driving a long distance. You can stop to have a picnic in a park or a snack in a restaurant. Of course bathroom breaks are very important. You can stop to stretch and relax. Amusement parks and water slides are popular with kids. The main idea is to have fun and share good times together.