Breakdowns with children present add stress in ways drivers without kids may not appreciate. Heat, cold, hunger, fear — kids feel all of it more intensely.
Tell the dispatcher you have children in the vehicle. Most dispatch systems flag the call for priority routing.
Stay calm and explain what's happening in age-appropriate terms. Kids pick up on parental stress fast.
Keep kids buckled if you're staying in the vehicle. The roadside environment is unpredictable; sudden vehicle movement (struck by another driver, towing prep) is safer if everyone is restrained.
Have snacks, water, and entertainment in the car. A 60-minute wait with an unhappy toddler is much harder than a 60-minute wait with a snack and a tablet.