Moms-what do you carry in your car?

Question

Well, I am a fairly new mom. My son is now 18 months old. I am also single and without family. I am alright with that.... it's actually taught me to be quite self sufficient and my son is a very happy and much loved boy. However, it's hard not having my own parents around to guide me.

So, I was just curious to know what other moms carry in thier cars? I am looking for good recommendations on snack foods (that aren't too messy), toys and interactive items, cleaning supplies for mess ups, etc. Really, anything that you "more experienced moms" out there could share with me, would be great!!

He does alright in the car, but sometimes does get fussy. I've given him several types of snacks, but spend too much time having to clean up the mess afterwards.

Lastly, does anyone have a good recommendation of a travel DVD player that hooks to the back of the passenger seat (in front of his carseat) that doesn' t cost too much?

Thanks to all for your answers!

Answer 1

We have three girls (ages 7, 9, and 11) from day one we took them on all our long trips. I also have a husband who was working 96 hours a week, so I know how it is to be on your own a lot. Lots of blessings sent your way to give you energy!!

Always have a small first aid kit for boo boos. The ones you get for a dollar at walmart are great (bandaids, alcohol wipes, some gauze)

Always have some music for the kid(s) to listen too. We found the music was much more calming than other things (We also have a lot of motion sickness in the middle child - so watching a movie is right out.) You can find some great stuff that isn't obnoxious for you. My girls like jazz a lot and love celtic music.
(If you can get a copy of the Seal Maiden -- its a great story told with music and cool for the grown ups as much as the kids)

When they were in the 18 mos age they really liked the soft squashy books made for toddlers. I also made a small photo album of fav things/people with one of those dollar albums with the plastic pages and 4x6 pics.

A small toy phone was also a big hit -- The noise and lights were a bit much, but they loved them. I also would put a piece of heavy duct tape over the speaker holes to help cut down the volumn (A lot of toys are loud enough to damage small ears)

A sippy cup with a lock valve helps. It is also good to use only cold water while traveling -- It's easier to clean up and will sit easy on the tummy. Milk is just nasty in the car when it spills (Can we say "home made cheese?") and juice is super sticky and smelly too.

It will also help your little one get used to drinking water, which is heathier and less expensive than sodas or koolaid.

I found that dry cereal is a good snack -- just only give them a little bit in a small rubber made bowl -- They have the ones that hold a half cup. That way if it spills it isn't as much to clean. Dry pretzels also work. Both of these snacks are not only less messy, but also healthier than sugery stuff (assuming you are using healthy cereal).

Once He gets a little older - Crayons and paper will be great. So will pipe cleaners -- They love crafting with them. Just wait until you don't have to worry bout him eating them while you are driving. They also help teach eye/hand motor skills. (Don't tell him he's learning-let him think he's just coloring pretty pictures).

He may also still enjoy a good chewy teether ring. They cut teeth until about three, so sometimes at this age they still like to just chew on something, because their teeth ache.

A soft lovey goes a long way on trips. Either a small blanket or stuffed animal is very comforting. (Also makes a nice pillow for naps)

If you are going to be driving for more than a couple of hours, have the pharmacist figure out the right dose of tylenol for his weight and age. Then dose him right before you leave. Riding for a long time makes little people ache a lot (I do this for the big people too!)

When you get there after a long trip, be sure and give him a warm bath and a dose of tylenol when it is next due -- This will help with sore muscles from sitting still in the car seat for soooo long.

I hope these will help out. Best of wishes.

PS -- always have

baby wipes for cleaning him.

clorox wipes for cleaning up the seat

trash bags (trust me!)

spare change of clothes for your little person.

If you've ever changed a kid on the side of a mountain while tractor trailers are swooshing by at 90mph, and scooped throw up out of the car seat, you'll understand where I've been!!)

Answer 2

You can put on a kid friendly cd ( can't think of any names off the top of my head). You may not enjoy hearing but it might keep him calm. When my son what that age I would just bring a few toys in the car from home. Especially ones I knew he liked a lot. As far as snack foods, there aren't really non-messy ones for kids that age. Then again, it has been 2 1/2 yrs since my son was 18 months.

Answer 3

Hi I'm a dad. I'm a stay-at-home dad. So, I'm basically a "mom" as you put it, I share all the same responsibilities as every Mom has.

Well anyway, when we go out, I pack a bag (backpack, diaper bag, whatever you have) with more than enough diapers than I'll need, wipes, diaper rash cream, powder, some first-aid stuff, toys, a sippy cup with water in it, and maybe a stuffed animal or something.

My daughter is 17 months old and doesn't use bottles anymore really. So, the cup is really just for keeping her hydrated and occupied.

I don't think snacks are neccesary unless you're going to be out for a long time and you'll miss a meal. If you give your kid snacks because he/she is bored, or "being annoying" (aka, crying), he/she will learn to expect the snacks. That'll cause her to be spoiled, and put on unnecessary weight.

Hope that helps.

Answer 4

Cheerios are always a great healthy choice. They sale little snack holders for kids everywhere these days. I'd also get some pretzels but stay away from anything stick. Keep extra baby wipes in your car for clean ups, and keep bottled water so you can refil the baby cup if needed. I'd keep new little cheap toys in a stash in the front seat so when the baby gets fussy you can pick out something new every time to hand to him.

Answer 5

I have four kids...although I don't think I'm all that experienced...you learn to just wing it most of the time. Good luck to you with your sweet little boy! Good snacks for my kids are: cheesesticks, cheerios, fish crackers, raisins, anything that doesn't get to crumbly or have some kind of filling that gets everywhere. I use lots of baby wipes for cleaning kids, car and myself :) Keep a bag in the car for garbage. Also, hand sanitizer!

Also, I'm not exactly sure what kind of DVD player I have because it's a no namer (the back says Durabrand). But my husband and I have found great deals at Walmart and online you can get better deals than in the stores as well.

Answer 6

i keep a little bit of everything in there. i think i have two of the messiest kids ever!! just go by the diapers and buy a travel pack of wipes to keep in you car in case you need to quick clean the baby or yourself!! toys that make noise work great for my 18 month old, they have lights and sounds it keeps him pretty busy. extra blankets, clothes, diapers. you can also lay an old sheet under his carseat for easy clean up. just pull out every once and a while and give it a wash. ( i need to do this) buy some kiddie music that you can sing with him, old macdonald, songs he will recognize somewhere else. cheerios is a good snack, crackers, string cheese (my kids love this). anything you think would be good to help you and him would be just fine. good luck!! and i am sure that you are doing great!!

Answer 7

Ok, I'm about as experienced as you, or less actually. My son is 15 months! But I can tell you waht I do. I don't necessarilly carry anything in the car. But in his diaper bag, I usually have a sippy cup with water in it. I don't like to carry juice around because it can spoil and harbor bacteria. For healthy, no-mess snacks: goldfish, cheerios, those Gerber Finger Foods are a hit. My son's favorite snack, believe it or not, is Gerber finger foods freeze-dried corn. I can't find it anywhere lately though. He absolutely loves it!
As far as messes go, I have baby wipes with me at all times! That usually takes care of it.

Also, my son loves music. So we turn the radio on. We only listen to country music in the car though, because it's usually clean. We don't have a dvd player in our car, otherwise we would listen to kids songs sometimes. But sometimes, if he's fussy, I turn on the radio and he quiets right up.

Answer 8

I keep just a few small cars and stuff like that in my car, and sometimes when were about to go out I'll let him pick a toy to take with us . And the snacks..... I give my son like animal crackers (one at a time) or cherrios, and a sippy cup of water, that way if it does spill (cause he throws it or something) it's better onthe car then juice or cool-aid or pop or whatever you give your child. And yes a dvd player does help on a longer trip.

Answer 9

Cheerios (LOTS) they are easy to vacuum up when you get back home, wet wipes (in addition to the ones in your diaper bag), I leave 2 dipapers per kid in the glove box, 2 empty cups in case we're out and they need a drink, a few "car only" toys...one of them I have is a steeringwheel/dashboard that sings and makes noise it attaches onto the car seat and the best thing is I can turn it on or off from the front, a small first aid set with an extra copy of the health insurance cards, 2 changes of clothes one for cooler weather and one for warmer weather, water bottles.

You'll learn as you go. I am married, but both sets of our parents live in far away states so when I had my first baby my husband and I were forced to figure it out ourselves. After many car trips that involved buying things to take care of whatever problem was at hand I got better at knowing what to constantly leave in my car for emergencies. You'll get the hang of it.

Answer 10

I don't give my children snacks in the car, for that exact reason. I have to clean up too much afterward. But if he needs a snack, then try goldfish crackers, mini crackers (we have dinasour shape). We bought a DVD player that hooks to the back of the headrest of the seat infront of our kids. It was like $200 from Target. I really like it. It keeps our kids focused on that for a while. (We have to travel about 2 hours once or twice a month every month.) We have this one toy for our youngest (14 months) it is shaped like a dog or horse, and it has all kinds of thing on it to do. Pull the legs, flip up things. All kinds. I think my dad got that from JCPenny's. But if you go to Babies'R'US or Target or Walmart they should have car type activities things there.