They call this week the biggest travel week and many families are gearing up for flights here and there and a drive over that way. Here's a list of some road tripping travel tips- 1. Screw the schedule. I am the worst when it comes to schedules. Part of that is necessity {hello, we have five kids} and part of that is my free spirit. I am all about having a loose schedule that is more of a daily routine than anything else. If you don't live and die by a schedule for your kid, I really think travel is a lot easier. The way we framed schedules for our babes was always around US, the adults. We followed routines and tried to keep bedtime scheduled as much as we could but aside from that there was no set timing for meals and naps, it was how it fit in the day that day. Maybe lunch is typically around 11, or maybe if we're running errands we don't eat until 12. My goal for my kids is that they are flexible and adaptable kids, not kids who are thrown off by a missed nap or a later lunch than normal. I understand that this doesn't work for everyone, but it worked for us and really is probably the biggest reason travel works so well for us. 2. Do it early, do it often and your kids will adapt to car rides or flights and sleeping in pack and plays and such. 3. Let it go. We all want our kids to eat healthy snacks but I admit when we travel that's one of the first things to go. Special treats and snacks are a welcome assistant. Buy things you maybe wouldn't normally buy and let the food rules go out the window just a stitch.

4. Same goes with screen time. We have pretty strict limits when we are at home on screen time. But when we are on a road trip, all bets are off and unless there is a behavior reason {i.e. we took it away} we let them play games, watch shows and listen to music. I promise it's not going to have lasting long term effects because you let your child binge watch Dora the Explorer for a long car ride.

5. Keep baby entertained by packing a few essentials. Lacers, an old wallet filled with random cards and things you couldn't care less about, a toy cell phone or better yet, a cell real phone that's no longer used.

6. Organize, organize, organize. Plan ahead, know where you have what you need and stay organized. Are the snacks accessible? If someone spills or gets sticky do you have wet wipes? Did everyone go to the bathroom before getting in the car and at each stop? These are the key to staying calm when traveling. Anticipate boredom, bring coloring books and crayons, have your kids pick out a new reading book at the store or library. Think of that thing that your kid would be thrilled to get to play with or see several hours into the trip and SAVE it for that desperate moment. Keep a few surprises up your sleeves. Involve them in the packing {note, I said involve, do not under any circumstances let them pack!}

7. Be Positive. The more negative and stressed YOU are about the trip and the travel, the more your kids are going to make you crazy. I promise. Assume your kids are going to make a mess in the back and that even though you give them a trash they will still throw their GoGoSqueez wrapper on the floor. Make it an adventure, make it fun. Stop and look around at rest stops and buy that special treat you would usually say no to. Don't be afraid, create fun new memories and establish what your "normal" travel expectations would look like. Most of all, enjoy. It's work but it's fun.

What works for you and your family when taking a road trip?

{This is an adaptation of a post that originally appeared on Simplicity In The Suburbs.}