CHILDREN IN THE CAR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 January 1939, Page 7

CHILDREN IN THE CAR

| HOW TO OVERCOME BOREDOM. Generally speaking, children are fond of motoring. Provided they are not tired or bored with too long spells of running, they are keen tourists and take an intelligent interest in places and country through which they pass. In discussing the question of touring with children it is proposed that, by the term “children,’' youngsters not exceeding 10 years of age are being dealt with. After 10 years old, the average child, boy or girl, develops very rapidly, and is usually able to put up with a good deal that would fatigue, annoy, or depress one under that age. Judging by the experience of one’s eyes, there are far too many parents using the road in company with their offspring who have not grasped one or two salient points which should be strictly observed when a run of any length is being undertaken. First and foremost, it is impossible to make a child too comfortable in a car, or to provide him or her with too much protection from the elements. By this it is not meant that children should be cooped up in a stuffy or badly ventilated car, but long exposure to wind, dust, or too much sunlight is undoubtedly bad for even healthy youngsters. Very few children will agree to wearing goggles or sun glasses, and it is only too easy to impose strains with unpleasant consequences upon eyes, nose, and ears of a child if great care is not exercised. Theoretically, practically every child prefers an open car, but actually this is not really the case as a rule. What most children do prefer is an open car for a short spell, but directly they have had enough of wind and sun, which is generally very soon, my experience is that they infinely prefer to be in a saloon.

Another thing that every child detests is to be cramped. An adult, particularly if driving, can sit still for quite long periods without suffering any particular discomfort, but no healthy child can remain in one position foi' long without experiencing both mental and physical discomfort, often acute. If a couple of children are occupying the whole of the rear compartment of a car, it is quite remarkable how contented and cheerful they will remain during a long run. They are at liberty to change their positions and stretch their limbs, thereby not only relieving themselves of physical strain but occupying their minds when no longer interested in the country through which they are passing. But be sure the doors are properly fastened with secure latches. Incidentally, the back seats of a car when closed, or with the hood and side shields in position, are an infinitely better place for young motorists than the front seats. They may not think so, but nevertheless it is the case, if only from the point of view of safety. In the event of an accident, oi- even a slight collision, a child occupying the front seat, by reason of its very light weight, is apt to be thrown against the screen or dashboard far more easily and more violently than would be the case with an adult, but if he is occupying the back seats there is far less risk of injury in such conditions.

When taking children on a long run, be sure to see that they are liberally provided with plenty of soft •cushions, and do not insist too strongly on how they should arrange them. The ve/y perversity of their nature will almost certainly prevent their taking your advice, but if left in possession of the cushions they are pretty sure to arrange them to their own comfort and satisfaction. Even with the best upholstery a child is not always comfortable, owing to its light weight, but a few down cushions may easily render its lot perfectly comfortable and pleasant. It is an extremely good plan to make a point when touring with children to stop for 10 minutes or so every hour or hour and a-half, and let the young occupants get out and run about. It is remarkable how very quickly a child can throw off any feeling of boredom or of being cramped, and on resuming the journey he or she will usually be perfectly fresh for another spell. As a rule, children take an immense pleasure in visiting strange places, and the old idea that children always slept uneasily except in their own beds and bedrooms is pretty well exploded today. The majority of children take quite as much delight, and often more than their parents, in the novelty of stopping in an hotel.

What sort of talk is needed to interest children when on tour? Well, the parent, especially the male, has a responsibility cast upon him. When motoring, the father is nearly always looked upon as the source of knowledge. At home it may be mummy, but on the road it is daddy who is promoted to the proud position as the be-all and end-all of knowledge. Now children are inquisitive and acquisitive of facts. It will add enormously to the jollity of the trip if father will take the trouble to “swat up” a few interesting details of the places through which it is proposed to pass. Tell them all about the interesting fauna and flora of the country you are passing, the birds, the beasts, the flowers, and the trees. There is infinite variety even in a short run, and to youngsters there is nothing more enjoyable than a relation of the ways and things of Nature in districts other than their own.