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When final bell rings on Friday afternoon 19 September, Victorian school yards will fill with whooping joy. School holidays can’t come soon enough for kids, but for parents it can be overwhelming.

The end of term is like a bursting dam, releasing pressure. This is all a part of a yearly cycle.
Kids can turn feral after three months spent cooped-up cold, but now relief is at hand. There’s just one problem: what to do with all that time.

Time flashes by for grown-ups, all of whom can’t seem to find enough of it. For children reality is reversed. A day is as long as a trip to Mars on a bicy unless they’re having fun. But parents and children have something in common at this time of year: the need for change.

Chances are that doing something different could involve a longer drive than normal, which requires careful planning. Children, as every parent knows have limited attention spans.
Restless children are a distraction for parents, which can have lethal consequences on the road. A little preparation could save not only your sanity but yours’ and your family’s lives- as well as those of fellow road users.

Counter fatigue by planning breaks along the way. When you’re busy though, planning can easily go out the window, like a restless child’s iPod. To help you avoid distractions and tantrums the TAC has a handy road-trip checklist to help you with your preparation.

Games are a great way to keep kids occupied and the TAC also has a great list of travel games for children. To avoid spending more time than necessary in the car, check traffic conditions wi Vicroads’ interactive map before you start your journey. You can also find out more about distraction-free driving using this link and on this TAC webpage.