Prepping for Summer Road Trips: Safety, Fun and Giving Back, Sponsored by Ford

Join TravelingMom’s Twitter Party Monday, May 23rd,  9PM ET, for fun, road trip tips and a sneak peek at Ford’s Warriors in Pink breast cancer campaign.

Ford F150
Mary Moore takes the Ford F150 out into its natural habitat: Off road in St. Augustine, Florida. Photo: Mary Moore

Summer is just around the corner and you know what that means – school is out and the fun begins. Like shuttling your kids to camp, letting them sleep til noon and summer reading list procrastination. That’s why we all need a good road trip (or three) this summer.

We got a taste of summer fun when we joined TravelingMom and Ford recently in Orlando, spending time with the Edge Titanium, the Explorer Platinum, the Expedition and the F150. These state-of-the-art vehicles set the stage for a great conversation: safety on the road.

Great vacation memories start with a safe trip

Ford'S Driving Skills For Life
Ford’s Driving Skills for Life program is designed to make us all more aware and conscientious drivers. Photo: Scotty Reiss

As moms, we want our road trips to be memorable for all the right reasons. But sometimes we encounter drivers who aren’t as alert as they should be, or aren’t in peak condition to drive. It’s not just drinking or drugs – things like pregnancy or even simply aging can affect us and the other drivers on the road. Thanks to Ford, we learned a lot and we’ll share what we learned during the next #TMOM Twitter Party.

Learning what it’s like to be pregnant or impaired—and behind the wheel

Ford Pregnancy Simulation Suit
Now there’s a sight (and it’s about time!): Traveling Dad Paul learns what it’s like to be pregnant, sort of: Ford’s pregnancy simulation suit gives him the feeling of carrying the extra weight, complete with weights that push on his bladder. Photo: Scotty Reiss

During our time with Ford we learned about the effects that such things as aging, pregnancy or impairment (drinking or using drugs) have on drivers. Then, some of us were able to experience the condition, using simulation suits that allowed the wearer to immerse herself in that “altered state.” It gave us a real idea of the challenges some people are having while they are sharing the road with us.

Giving back: Another way to create a memorable trip

Ford Edge And Warriors In Pink
Doesn’t the Ford Edge look nice in the new Warriors in Pink scarf? Join our Twitter party and one could be yours! Photo: Scotty Reiss

Of course, as important as awareness of safety is, we also believe in being aware of the world around us, and how we can capture those teachable moments in our travels. And that’s what has us thinking about giving back. We’re not alone; giving back is something that Ford Motor Company takes seriously, too. In supporting the fight against breast cancer through their Warriors in Pink program, Ford generates donations, creates awareness and helps those touched by this terrible disease to share their plight. Warriors in Pink will officially kick off in June, but Ford will give a few lucky winners an early look at the WIP merchandise it commissioned for this summer’s campaign. Three winners will be chosen at random to win a Warriors in Pink gift bag during the #TMOM Twitter party.

TravelingMom Ford Warriors in Pink 5/23

So pour yourself a lemonade and kick off your flip flops as we celebrate summer together. Then make plans to hit the road – and teach your kids about giving back – at the next #TMOM Twitter party. ‘Cause summer’s here and the time is right!

WHAT: #TMOM Twitter Party – Summer Road Trips – Sponsored by Ford

WHEN: May 23, 9-10 p.m. ET (8-9 p.m. CT; 7-8 p.m. MT; 6-7 p.m. PT)

WHO: Panelists

HOW TO JOIN: Follow the #TMOM hashtag #FordTMOM #WarriorsInPink #FordDSFL

SPREAD THE WORD:   TWEET –  Plan Your Summer Road Trip – and Win a Warriors in Pink bag. Join #TMOM Monday 5/23  9pm ET, to talk road trips, safety and giving back!

Never joined a #TMOM Twitter Party? Read all about the fun here! What the heck is a TMOM Twitter Party?

Scotty Reiss
Scotty Reiss

Journalist, entrepreneur and mom. Expertise includes new cars, family cars, 3-row SUVs, child passenger car seats and automotive careers and culture. A World Car Awards juror and member of the steering committee, Scotty likes to say the automotive business found her, rather than her finding it. But recognizing the opportunity to give voice to powerful female consumers and create a voice to match their spending power, her mission became to empower women as car buyers and owners. A career-long journalist, she has written for the New York Times, Town & Country, Adweek and co-authored the book Stew Leonard, My Story, a biography of the founder of the iconic grocery company Stew Leonard’s. Her love of cars started when her father insisted she learn to change the oil in her MG Midget, but now it mostly plays out in the many road trips taken with her family.

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