Giving Ourselves a Break--Traveling By Car

I remember fondly packing the car with a goodie bag when my kids were toddlers and we would take car trips, particularly during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. The goodie bag was a curious assortment of toys, clothes, snacks, books, tapes, and anything else I could think of to keep them happy, healthy, and entertained during the trip. I was reminded of this as I made my list of things to take along to keep my fuzzy four-legged babies happy, healthy, and entertained as well during our car trip to "Granny's".  Although the items in the goodie bag are certainly different than those needed for my toddlers way back when, the idea is the same.  Make them more comfortable and feeling special.

I started thinking more about this and then my thoughts zeroed in on a recent trip I took by car during the Thanksgiving rush.  And I asked myself "where was my goodie bag"?  If memory serves me, I drove relentlessly as if a human life depended on my arriving by a certain time.  I wove in and out of I-95 traffic pedal to the medal with no stretch break, no lunch break (unless you count a fast food drive through) and no preparations to make my trip easier or less stressful.  Had I had my toddlers in the car, or even my pups, I would have stopped, walked around, and given them a chance to settle and get the kinks out.  I would have fed them healthy snacks from the goodie bag instead of the diet coke and crackers I allowed myself at my hasty bathroom break. 

What's wrong with this picture?  Why is it OK to stop for 10 minutes and play chase with the kids or even the dogs, but not OK to take 10 minutes to stretch my weary bones?  I like to think that as  gal's travel coordinator, I know how to help women have relax and have fun.  I am producing a series for women called "Relax, Refresh, and Realize Your Worth" for heaven's sake!  I should have treated myself better.  And I want you to learn from  my experience.  There may be times when you have to be in rush--but most of the time I think women are just conditioned to not take care of themselves.  It's a habit and habits can be changed.  So your next car trip--think ahead, take breaks, eat well, and pack a goodie bag for you too!