02/11/2023
Seems appropriate that Dr. Tera Barnhardt, speaking in the Practice Management session on “Parenting in the Vet Truck” and mom of three should bring her youngest son Chase to the 2023 AABP Recent Graduate Conference in Knoxville, Tenn. She noted that 46% of American families have two parents working; it is not uncommon to have kids along in the vet truck!
Here are some of Barnhardt’s hacks for kids in the truck:
• Have bags for everything – zip-top bags and even whirlpaks will do the job!
• Have a “fun bucket” in the back seat with things like stickers, markers, books, etc.
• Little totes from a dollar store is great for snacks, lunches, etc., because they are easy to clean and the handles are handy. She said you can also put Velcro strips on the bottoms that will anchor them to the carpet in your vehicle to hold a variety of things!
• Cupholders are valuable real estate for more than just beverages – she notes that you can buy cupholders that can be attached to things like strollers, but they can also be hung on the back of a headrest to hold markers, etc. for kids in the back seat.
• Amazon Alexa Echo auto can be put in a vehicle and synced to an app and you can set routines, put in locations, reminders, etc.
• She showed a photo of a single-person pop up tents with clear windows – marketed for soccer moms for shade, to escape the rain or warmth. Barnhardt says occasionally when working she’s utilized them to put a child in with some activities where she can see them but they don’t get dirty or get dust inhalation, and the kids love it. She says they could also be in the winter with a when you’re doing BSEs to protect microscopes, and in the winter with a space heater to keep vaccines from freezing. Another advantage is they fold up to nothing.
Pictured: AABP Vice President Dr. Dave Sjeklocha, Chase Barnhardt and Dr. Tera Barnhardt.
