Long drives can calm any soul.

My number one parenting hack.

Get in the car. What? That’s right you heard me correctly. Get in the car and just drive. In my 19 years of parenting, I am truly convinced there is nothing a drive in the car can’t fix. That’s the best parenting hack I can give you.

You got a six-month-old baby who won’t quit crying despite trying the bottle, the Passy, rocking, swinging or bouncy walk? Put that precious soul into their car seat, snot flying and all and just start to drive. Not only does it give you a break to just zone out and drive, but I guarantee you it can put the fussiest of babies dead out in like 20 minutes. Pull into your driveway, turn the car off and take a nap too until your precious bundle wakes you back up.

No toddler was worse at getting them to go down for a nap or bedtime than our precious daughter Hannah Rose. To this day, the most hardheaded, stubborn girl I know who hated to fall asleep. She would stand straight up in bed and lock her knees, so she wouldn’t lay down. We would have to hit her behind the knees, lovingly of course, so she’d fall then we could pin her down just long enough so she would give in and pass out. Strap that baby in her car seat and do laps through our neighborhood until you notice eyelids getting heavy. Then, tada, I won. You can’t beat the desperate mom at her own game.

What about the bored tween who has nothing to do on a Sunday afternoon and funds are tight? Hop in the car, stop by Dairy Queen for some soft serve and hit the open road. Blast their favorite tunes and in a matter of seconds, you’re back to being the cool mom.

Luckily, our daughter loves horses and anything farm-related, so anytime she is having a bad day. I tell her to hop in the car. We drive about 20 minutes away from home out to the country at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, to get a fresh perspective on life. Who cares about the weird gym coach giving you an undeserved 76 on a math test when all you can see for miles are rolling hills and tree-lined pastures?

Two things got us through the pandemic, drives in the country and hammocks. When the absurdity of the lockdown and homeschooling our lovelies would just become too much and we were all in complete meltdown mode, I’d strap on some rubber gloves, fill up the car with gas and off we would ride until the sun went down. Who cared if the teacher was checking in, just turn off the computer camera and get the hell out of Dodge.

Christmas about two years ago was a bust because I got Covid and we had to cancel our plans to go to Alabama the kids said I ruined Christmas and I was the worst mom ever. Way to make me feel so much better, not. Luckily, Old Navy came through with matching PJs, I felt better by Christmas Eve so we dressed in the PJs piled in the car and went to look at Christmas lights. We saw some awe-inspiring displays then some God-awful ones straight out of a scene from Christmas Vacation. By 9 o’clock mission completed, everyone in the car was in a much better mood than before and even a few giggles emerged from the backseat.

Nothing is worse than a moody teen with a snarky attitude. You can blink, and get your head ripped off. Are you with me sister? Nothing you say or do is going to turn little Miss Sunshine’s bad mood around and she won’t be happy until we’re all just as miserable as she is. Solution, get in the car. Hell bring the dog too for extra cuteness ammunition. Sure you’ll drive in silence for the first 30 minutes, then she won’t be able to stand it any longer and she’ll probably spill her guts to you. Works like a charm every time. Every time.

There’s just something about the crackle of an old gravel road, the breeze from a roll-down window, and the soft hum of a car engine that can calm the most anxious soul. Take to the open road my friend. It’ll help all of you find some peace and be your best parenting hack too.