Tips to reduce travel stress

20 April 2021 • 3 min read

Aiming to make life convenient for parents seeking long-term value while keeping their little ones safe and comfortable, the easy to use 360 Family is designed to be a stress buster.

The brand has marked its latest innovation milestone by commissioning Psychologist, Psychotherapist and Coach Honey Langcaster-James to provide tips on reducing parenting stress before you head out in the car.

“It’s much easier to parent effectively when you feel well-equipped and prepared. This means not only having the right tools and products to help you do the everyday parenting tasks, but also feeling confident that you can keep your child safe.”

Honey Langcaster-James

1. Consistency and familiarity are key

Younger children really appreciate consistency, routine and familiarity. This helps reduce any anxiety they might be feeling and keeps them feeling safe because they know the routine and can therefore predict what’s going to happen. Using familiar things in the car such as the 360 Family system that adapts with your family and can be used from birth to four years – i.e. that will last and adapt as they grow, can help them create a sense of stability and routine and that will reduce any stress they might feel whenever you’re heading out.

2. Give your child plenty of comfort even while you’re driving

Young children love to make eye contact and feel physically close to you, but it can be hard to cuddle and stay physically close while you’re driving or when they’re in their car seat. Ensure that they feel physically comfortable as much as possible in their seat and have some comforters like a favorite teddy or blanket for them on hand, then look for other ways to convey your presence and care. Continue to chat to them in a reassuring tone, perhaps even

sing some nursery rhymes together. Using your voice to engage with your child can ensure that while

you can’t hold them in your arms, they can still feel connected to you. Using the optional Maxi-Cosi back seat mirror enables you to help keep eye contact and make kids feel more comfortable.

3. Do whatever you can to make things easier on yourself

Pre-planning for your trips out is helpful for reducing that last minute rush, so take every opportunity to make life easier by being prepared in advance.

Perhaps you could have a car kit bag ready, with some toys and puzzles which are always by the door and ready to go. Anything you can do to make heading out that little bit easier – including having a rotating car seat that is easy and super quick to get your wriggly child into - can help ensure you are not stressed out. It’s about having one less thing to worry about and enabling your child to feel safe and secure too as they sense you are prepared and relaxed.

4. Make car journeys a time for learning and discovery

Young children are naturally curious about the world and love to focus on what interests and engages them. So while you’re out and about in the car, look for subtle cues in their facial expressions or body language that indicate what they’re interested in or looking at.

As you travel, you can point out some of the fun and interesting things you can see, such as the other cars going by, or trees that you pass and it can be a great time for younger children to learn new vocabulary. Encouraging them to show interest in the world around them will also help keep their mind off any anxious feelings they might have about going out in the car.

5. Look after yourself too!

One of the best ways you can look after your child in general, but especially when you’re taking them out in the car, is for you to make sure you’re taking good care of your own needs too. Making sure you’re not in a desperate hurry, so you’re not rushed, and that you’ve eaten and taken care of all your other basic needs before you go out in the car will ensure they won’t pick up on you being stressed or at a low ebb.

If you like to play your favorite music in the car or grab a coffee for the journey, then your child will sense you are relaxed and enjoying the trip out and they’ll learn from you that car journeys are fun and nothing to worry about. Remember, as a parent, you always need to make sure you’re looking after yourself if you’re going to be able to look after anyone else!

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About the Maxi-Cosi Family 360

The Family 360 consists of a FamilyFix 360 secure base that is compatible with:

Pebble 360 car seat for babies 0 to 15 months old
Pearl 360 car seat for children 0 to 4 years old