Road Goals

Photo by Hayden Walker on Unsplash

Two days ago, I blogged about the importance of our Why. As a quick summary, our why is the core of our motivation. When we are down, out, and ready to quit our why pushes ups past that finish line. Having a why is important for every goal and action we take in life. Goals push us towards the person we want to be. Goals and Whys go hand in hand because our goals bring us to our whys and our whys hold us accountable to our goals.

I am a goal-getter. I have always been an over-achiever with a similar story to Rachel Hollis. My family saw who I was as a person by what I achieved. Not when I made small achievements but when I did things like take home the President's Award the first time. Here I am as a grown up continually trying to reach that next big and lofty goal.

Photo by Ariel Besagar on Unsplash

No matter what I am doing I have some kind of goal in mind. If  I am going out for a run I'm going to set a goal for the time or distance I am going to go. If I am driving somewhere I set a goal for how long it will take me to get there or challenge myself to make only so many stops. If I am baking bread I make a goal to make so many loaves or have someone say something in particular about how it tastes. Every single thing I do I can turn it into a goal oriented activity. Planning a family vacation especially a road trip is no exception.

While I could make our goals for this road trip be about how many places we can visit while in DC or how quickly we can get to one point or another I have a different set of goals in mind for Road Tripping 2019. Here are 3 goals I have set for my family on this trip.

1) We will learn to be kind and live in close proximity. 

Our last road trip we owned a Ford Focus. If you have ever tried to fit three growing children two of which were in car seats in a small back seat you know the struggle we have seen. In fact, until this past winter we still drove that little gray fight machine with ever expanding  limbs in the back seat. This trip we have a Chevy Equinox. Still a three seater in the back but at least they have a bit more room to expand.

Small spaces often mean lots of fights and battles but we have a goal of learning to get along and  share the space we have been blessed to own. We love each other but we do not often express these feelings in the kindest ways.

As with every goal I have a plan. Plans are what help goals come true. I plan on making stops every two or three hours to use the bathroom, eat, and play together. A 10 hour road trip if we were go, go, go would not end well. Taking our time, appreciating our surroundings, and enjoying each other company will go along way. We are also packing snacks and activities to do in the car. We are leaving early in the morning so kids will be tired and sleep for part of the road trip because we can't be fighting if we are sleeping.

Photo by Jacob Stone on Unsplash

2) We will learn.

As a former homeschooling mama I think education has a role in every aspect of our lives. Road trips are an especially great way to learn. I have not over planned our trip but I have made it possible for us to take time to stop at historic land marks. We are heading into DC which is chalk full of great learning opportunities and ocean side has loads of biology and ecology lessons to be had.

The kids are bringing some great books to read and explore in the car and always we have our handy dandy workbooks to explore. Another great way we are going to be learning is by having some audio books going during the drive. I love reading but since I can obviously not drive and read I cannot wait to listen and read.

3) We will have fun and laugh.

Being together as a family should be fun. This goal of letting lose and having fun can sometimes be difficult. Sometimes as parents we do not appreciate the humor or silliness of the kids and sometimes the kids do not appreciate our humor. This goal is for us to just relax and let kids be kids. The best parts of growing up are the laughter that bonds you together.

Gratitude Practice

1) I am grateful for family bonding

2) I am grateful for deep conversation.

3) I am grateful for silly music.

4) I am grateful for siblings.

5) I am grateful for our family

6) I am grateful for road stops.

7) I am grateful for packed snacks.

8) I am grateful for good books.

9) I am grateful for activity packets.

10) I am grateful for air conditioning in our car.

Things I have Accomplished:

1) I have survived countless hours of conversations about Minecraft.

2) My kids tell me I am the best at playing video games in our family.

3) I have great relationships with all of my children.

Goal (Written as if it has already been achieved):

I have an awesome morning and evening schedule!

Do you set goals for road trips? What kind of goals do you set?