From how to stop them asking ‘are we nearly there yet?’ to visualising that first drink at the bar.

A new survey carried out by Opinium has revealed the top ten ways that parents survive long car journeys with their children. Surprisingly, perhaps, the top answer was to play a traditional car game, like I-Spy or 20 Questions, while over one in eight (13%) survived the experience by visualising their first drink at the bar. Here’s the full list:

  1. “Something beginning with P…”: Nearly half (47%) of parents said that they used classic car games, like iSpy and 20 Questions, to entertain their children.
  2. The Wheels Go Round & Round & Round: Over a third (34%) listened to their child’s favourite song on repeat in the car.
  3. Plug ‘em in: One in four (24%) admitted that they allowed electronic devices to be used for longer than they would normally allow at home.
  4. Bedtime rules / routine thrown out the car window: A quarter (25%) admitted to allowing their children to stay awake in the car later than their usual bed time.
  5. Not caring about the car looking like an emptied dustbin: A quarter (25%) said that on long car journeys they are more relaxed about the mess being made by their children – what’s a box of raisons, strewn breadsticks, crisps and drinks’ cartons everywhere between family anyway?!
  6. “Another sweet darling?”: One in four (24%) parents admitted to bribing their children to be well behaved with treated and sweets.
  7. Plug ‘em in but don’t forget the headphones: To promote a tranquil car one in five (19%) provide headphones for electronic devices so they don’t have to listen to that bleeping game, YouTube video or film.
  8. Fast food pit stops: One in five (19%) have bribed their children to behave with the promise of a visit to a fast food outlet.
  9. Visualising that first drink on the bar at the end of the road: 13% of parents have survived a long car journey by visualising their first pint or glass of wine on arrival.
  10. Speak in code: 12% have spoken in code about distance to destination and possible rest stops so children don’t pick up on the conversation. 6% have promised ridiculous rewards to their children if they would stop asking the usual “are we nearly there yet?” question.

Long car journeys can be tough with children, but it seems that parents have some great survival tips. I particularly like the visualising ‘my first pint’ idea, and will be using that the next time they ask, “are we nearly there yet? said Ernesto Suarez, our CEO and founder.

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