Even though I have been traveling for years, every once in a while I still make a logistical mistake.
This year’s trip to the Polar Express was to be a short one. A 4 hour drive with an overnight stay. I checked the weather and road conditions, packed the appropriate clothing, and remembered the snacks. The car had just been in for maintenance and I even downloaded some kid-friendly podcasts. We were all set for a wonderful weekend up north. An hour into the trip and I hear a little voice from the backseat ask “where’s my map?”
Oops, I forgot the travel binder. In fact, I had not even bothered to update the binder for this trip. I completely forgot.
What’s the big deal you ask? Well, I know he had toys and podcasts to keep him busy, but every binder has information on our current trip along with educational activities. The map he was asking for is a large placemat with a map of the United States printed on it. He references that map several times during every trip. We even take the time to point out every time we cross a state line so he can begin to make geographical connections. His mental map of the world is connected to that map; and I left it at home.
Of course, not all was lost. PJ saw Santa and a reindeer and the ride on the train was magical as always. I somehow managed to keep my sanity and get us there safely, despite a snowstorm and a million questions. Mealtimes were a little rough, since we did not have the binder and associated activities to keep our little one occupied. In the future, I vow to always make the travel binder a priority. Besides not wanting to hear “are we there yet” a thousand times, I learned that even on the shortest trip, learning can take place and it is best to be prepared with the tools to help facilitate that process.