Pit Stop USA
It's an inevitable road trip ritual. You finally cram the car full of bags, books, videos, pillows, snacks and your pet dog. Everyone is strapped in, you merge onto the interstate, and then you hear it. "Moooom!" The kids have to pee. Is there any way to get the gremlins to Grandma's without having to tour every toilet on the way there? Here are a few tips to keep your trip free from unnecessary pit stops.
How to Take the Pee Out of Pit Stops
The best way to avoid dealing with the big pee on your trip is to use another P: Planning, planning, planning.1. Empty First
Make sure everyone empties his or her bladder before you leave the house.2. One Goes, All Goes
Create some road trip rulesbefore you start. If one kid has to go, then everyone has to go. There's nothing more frustrating than pulling off, finding a potty, and then getting back on the road only to have another sibling start squirming in the backseat.3. Avoid Liquids
Try to avoid drinking too much liquid. Of course you need to make sure your children are adequately hydrated, but there's a big difference between a small bottle of water and a gallon of Gatorade. Avoid soda drinks for childrenand consider offering only water. Any liquid should be slowly sipped throughout the trip rather than gulped down all at once.4. Plan Your Stops
It helps to plan your pit stopsahead of time, and make sure your schedule allows for stopping. Everyone, adults included, should get out of the car to use the restroom and stretch his or her legs at least once every two hours. Thanks to satellite mapping technology and GPS systems, you can meticulously map out your trip and plan the best places to take those inevitable bathroom breaks. Things may not always work out as planned, but if you have an idea of where you can stop, less time will be wasted looking for a loo.The Truth about Stopping to Pee During Road Trips
Space-age, ultra-absorbent diapers can be tempting when you want to get to your destination as quickly as possible, but pit stopsare actually a necessity for good health. Holding it for too long can cause urinary tract infections and other bladder problems. Even sitting for long periods is not healthy and can lead to soreness and blood clots.Some families are okay with keeping a bucket handy for a convenient chamber pot. Emergency preparedness or outdoor supply stores carry a toilet seat that fits on the top of a five-gallon bucket, and while it's obviously meant for camping, it could come in handy on a deserted highway between here and there.
No matter how you decide to plan your road trip, be sure to include another P: Patience. We all want to make good time, but it's more important to have a good time. A healthy dose of patience will go a long way toward keeping the peace in your car and prevent what should be a treasured family memory from being soured by frustration and fighting.
