READER'S BLOG: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Road Trip

As a child growing up in the United States and with a father who watched way too much TV, I was exposed to quite a bit of road-tripping and I am certain that most of those trips were, well, to be very formal – subpar.

However, now that I look back at those road trips, I only remember the good times, the funny times and, why not admit it, emotional times. And keep this in mind; we were a blue-collar family that never held too much stock in grand gestures and intentionally engaging moments.

This is why, when I finally got a couple of children of my own, I decided that their childhood will also include road trips, in a different country albeit, but just as beautiful. However, this time I was the one who had to make sure everyone is having fun, being safe and not hating me.

Naturally, I started worrying.

Why we worry
There are innumerable reasons why parents worry about road trips. For one, you are worried about whether your car is in good enough a shape to handle a serious road trip (because who wants to go on a lame one?). Maybe this will inspire you to buy a new car?

Once you start planning, you also start paying attention to every little rattle and scrape you may have heard a thousand times before. You are also worried about your driving habits. Are you a good enough a driver to handle all those miles? Your entire family is with you in the car – your entire life.

Of course, you are also worried about whether everyone will have a good time. Children are different these days than they were decades ago. Convincing your children that the Undara Lava Tubes or the 12 Apostles or even the 75 Mile Beach on Fraser Island are as much fun as the latest World of Call of Murder FIFA XK17 seizure inducer of a video game is not exactly the easiest task in the world.

Finally, you also worry about your own sanity and health. A serious road trip means at least a few days in limited comfort, with a distinct possibility of dealing with bored and tired kids who are sighing at everything you show them.

How to Stop Worrying
The first thing to do if you wish to stop worrying about the upcoming road trip is to remember that no one is forcing you to do it. It is a beautiful thing that you are doing with, and for your family, the most important people in your life. In today's world, family tends to suffer and things like road trips can be outright healing. Your children will love the mere fact they are spending time with you.

You will also want to plan ahead. Improvisation is not exactly the best friend to a parent who is planning a road trip. Improvisation leads to endless kilometres of pointless driving with children trying not to wilt from boredom in the backseat. The good news is that Australia is the perfect country for a road trip, with so many choices. You can always come up with your own road trip. Just make sure you have something planned.

Finally, you will also want to be absolutely, completely, 100 percent certain that your car is up for a challenge like this. Heading out on a family road trip in a vehicle that is all but ready to cark it is not only stupid but also incredibly irresponsible.

Start Loving It
Once you have done all the prep work and you packed your little bunch in the car, it is time to become the most Zen person in existence. You need to make Buddha seem like Joe Pesci at his most logorrheic. Road trips can often turn into a string of unpredicted and surprising moments but in order to really love the road trip, you will want to embrace those as well.

Years down the road, everyone will only remember the good times anyway.