You know the feeling.
Looking in the mirror after an epic undertaking such as hosting a 4 hour play date with 10 toddlers under 4 and thinking to yourself…
“How did I just survive that?”
Life as a mom brings many of these moments and because of that many of us want to be prepared for the next storm that is on the horizon.
Moms comb the internet daily in search of “tips” and “tricks” that claim to help prepare for and flawlessly handle every situation as a mom…but sometimes, nothing can prepare you for the real thing.
Recently, I had a moment that no blog tip could prepare me for and it made me look at life a little differently.
When I became a mom I noticed that life completely changed – How I sleept. How I ate. How I brushed my hair. How I don’t brush my hair. How I clean. How I speak. And even how I travel.
We were loading up the car to visit my parents a few days ago and my husband asked why there were so many bags by the door – I explained to him that they were all for our trip and they needed to be loaded up in the car. He looked at me with that face of “why in the world does it look like we are a family of ten” with a mixture of the face of “I’m not going to say anything, but I think you are really strange and way over-packing right now.”
Our journey began and we had 12 HOURS in the car as a family. By the end of it, I realized that you really can tell if someone has been traveling with a toddler in the car by just a few things.
Here are 12 Signs You Have Traveled With A Toddler
1. YOU HAVE HEARD YOUR NAME 7.5 MILLION TIMES IN JUST SIX HOURS: “Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom. Treats. Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom. Book. Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom. Blankie. Mom. Mom. Mom. Hi. Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom.” After a road trip with a toddler, you will never forget your name… that is for sure.
2. YOU DON’T TRULY UNDERSTAND THE CONVERSATION THAT IS BEING HELD IN THE VEHICLE: Not because you aren’t listening or the topic is over your head – but because the little voice that is telling you stories doesn’t exactly make sense. Toddlers can be extremely hard to understand when they are learning how to talk. Moms have mastered the smile and nod routine.
3. YOU HAVE ENOUGH SNACKS TO FEED AN ARMY: Because every mom knows that snacks heal everything. From fishy crackers to fruit snacks and cookies to suckers – you have to have them all. You can try to bring healthy snacks – but that gets pushed out the window on hour three and a sucker is the only thing that will keep them calm.
4. YOU KNOW HOW TO HAVE A GOOD TIME: And you will do anything to make the car ride an enjoyable experience. From reading books to singing songs and coloring pictures to working on puzzles – moms of toddlers know how to make everything fun and are multi-tasking QUEENS!
5. YOU UNDERSTAND THE TRUE MEANING OF “BEING PREPARED”: Here is a real philosophy on packing. Most moms will understand:
6. YOU ARE CONSIDERING CHANGING YOUR NAME: Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom. 🙂
7. YOUR PHONE IS FULL OF PICTURES AND YOUR IPAD IS FULL OF DISNEY MOVIES: You aren’t even to your destination yet, but your phone is full of selfies in the car and your child sitting in the same spot they’ve been in for the past few hours, just making different faces and getting a little dirtier. And by the way, the very thought of our parents traveling without portable phones or electronics to keep kids occupied is beyond me.
8. YOUR CAR IS EXTREMELY DIRTY: No matter how clean you try to keep your car normally, after traveling with a toddler it’s going to be a mess. Full of blankets and crunched up crackers, used napkins and straws – your car will most likely look like a trash can on wheels.
9. YOU LOOK LIKE A “MOM-BIE”:
10. YOU HAVE LISTENED TO THE SAME SONG OVER AND OVER AGAIN: You know you have been traveling with a toddler when the entire vacation you have “Let it Go” and “Wheels on The Bus” in your head because they are the two songs that made your toddler happy the last three hours on the road.
11. YOU HAVE REALIZED THAT “MOM” IS THE BEST NAME IN THE WORLD: Even though you have heard your name millions of times, repeated over and over again and even considered changing your name – you realize that you have the best name in the world.
The biggest blessings call you mom. The cutest kids call you mom. The little people that make you the happiest call you mom. And you love that you get to be their’s!
12. YOU CHERISH EVERYTHING:
You cherish every “mom” that comes out of their little mouths – because you realize you are needed.
You cherish every story you don’t really understand – because one day they will be able to talk clear and you will miss those silly stories.
You cherish packing the treats and snacks – because you secretly like eating them too.
You cherish every memory – because you know that time goes fast.
You cherish every bag you pack – because one day you will only have to pack your own.
You cherish every crumb and spill – because you realize one day your car will be clean.
You cherish every minute – because you know you won’t be traveling with a toddler forever and will want to do it all over again.
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Danielle is the owner of Today's the Best Day. She strives to provide creative and uplifting content in order to enrich the parenting experience for women everywhere. Danielle hopes to help you and your family to make every day the best day! 
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