| | | | Is Your Car Your Child’s Second Home? |
By Darlene Zagata 
In our busy lives these days we often spend a great deal of time in our cars traveling back and forth. We go to work and return home, go shopping, run errands and keep appointments. Even a stay at home Mom may find herself and her child spending more time in the car going to get groceries, to see the pediatrician or even to the park. Although there’s nothing wrong with being out and about, some kids end up spending more time in their car seats than they do at home. Some young children become so accustomed to being in a car that their parents actually have to take a ride around the block just to put the child to sleep at night.
Car rides may quiet a child temporarily and may even be fun for a while but children also get restless when cooped up in a car seat for any length of time. When a child is eating and sleeping in the car more often than not it can become unhealthy. You can expect the child to be cranky because his or her activity is limited. It is uncomfortable for a child to remain in the same position for long periods of time.
There are times when we have to take our children with us to run errands and at times we end up having to be out longer than planned. So what can you do to ensure your child gets proper rest and exercise when you have to be on the move all the time? Most kids can sleep anywhere and in any position, so rest is usually not a problem although they could end up with a stiff neck or back.
If at all possible try to schedule grocery shopping and other errands so that tasks can be accomplished without spending too much time taking kids in and out of the car, which can cause them to become cranky and irritable. Try to avoid long road trips with young children and if that’s not possible then be sure to make adequate stops for feeding and exercise. Instead of eating take-out in the car, make an effort to go inside the restaurant to eat or sit outside at a bench or table if the weather permits.
Also, if you only need an item or two from a store down the street, walk instead of driving if it’s a nice day. Put your little one in the stroller and enjoy the walk. The fresh air can do wonders for you and your child. Cars may be a necessity in our technology dependent society but don’t let your child see the world from the inside of a car. Give him a different view.
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