At the best of times and situations, toddlers can throw tantrums. How much more when the whole family is on the road? Being crammed up in the back seat is definitely not the ideal situation for kids. This is definitely not something that parents look forward to as well. So is there a way to avert disaster before it happens? Of course!

The number one thing parents must remember is to bring along things that would keep the kids occupied. Books, music, toys, and a whole lot of creativity and ingenuity will do the trick. I would like to place special emphasis on the last point. As the parent, you must be able to monitor your child’s needs. You must be able to gauge his or her mood. Better yet, you must be able to sense when your child is starting to get restless.
You might be tempted to sleep or to keep yourself amused during the trip. However tempting this may sound, imagine doing so and then having to deal with a 30-minute tantrum later on! Wouldn’t it be better to put off your self-amusement for a while and see to your child’s needs even before he or she starts acting up about it? This, I believe, is the key to averting tantrums before they start.

The specifics will, of course, depend on your child’s preferences and personality. Some children are easier to distract than others. Only you will know the best “tricks” to keep him or her happy.