“On the road again…just can’t wait to get on the road again” are song lyrics written by a man who clearly has never carted 8 related children around in a church-sized van.

Doubtful he’s ever had to listen to “He’s kicking my seat, she’s got her feet in my face, they’re eating all the popcorn or the baby is pinching me” for nine straight hours.

Seeing as my beloved and I decided to raise our group far from family, we’ve had to master the art of long distance road tripping with children in order to visit all those aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents.

Maybe I should clarify a bit because my husband’s current work schedule allows forces him to relegate the annual trek to me alone (I know he’s really weeping when we’re all gone and he’s stuck in a quiet house with his stinky cigars and the TV remote).

To better facilitate our journey and prevent me from losing my mind in the fast lane of I-95, we’ve developed a few rules for the road. Read my 5 tips for road trip sanity HERE at Raleigh Moms Blog