I am making a trip next month where I will be driving for 9 hours by myself with a 4 year old and a baby that will be 3 months old. Any suggestions on how to make it as easy as possible for all of us?
2007-01-01 13:38:03 · 22 answers · asked by honeybear 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Start out early in the morning so they will sleep in the car for a while. Stop for breakfast and then give your oldest something to play with. Magnadoodles, etch-a-sketches, and other things like that are great. Put her on baby duty and have her make sure that your youngest has a binky (if you use them) when he needs it, have her sing to him if he is fussy or play peek-a-boo.
Make sure you buy some extra binky so they don't get lost in the car, and fun snacks. Don't let your oldest have all of her toys at once, because she will get bored quicker.
2007-01-01 13:48:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Will you be doing the drive in one day or in 2?
If you are doing it over 2 days, leave just after supper time the first night. Get the kids in their jammies and drive for about 5 or 6 hours, what ever you can handle. The kids will sleep for most of the drive, then stop for the night and sleep it off.
Finish the drive the next morning after breakfast.
If it has to be done in one drive, make frequent stops for the 4 year old to burn off some energy at rest stops or Mc Donald's play lands. Have a DVD player, books, music, eye spy games... etc. Make it an adventure for the 4 year old. The baby will likely sleep through most of it! Good luck and enjoy your trip!
2007-01-01 21:45:15 · answer #2 · answered by colinsmumplus1 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yikes. My kids couldn't handle much driving. Our oldest could only handle about 2.5 hours. Our youngest only about 15 minutes. Even when I'd stop to nurse our youngest, he'd stop screaming to nurse and then go right back to screaming. Hopefully, your 3 month old has greater road tolerance than ours did.
You should get a clear idea of what's available in terms of parks/rest areas/mcdonald's playgrounds along the way. have plenty for you all to drink. it's important to stay well hydrated, and it will have you stopping often to help you stay more rested and alert.
don't drive it all in one day, drive part way, stop somewhere with an interesting/relaxing thing for your 4 year old to see, and spend the night. or, leave very early, drive until 10 am or noonish, have a long break at a park, getting the kids tired, then drive 4 or so hours after, when hopefully they're napping.
lots of books, paper, crayons/markers, fun stories on tape, the animal game - 20 questions to answer yes/no to guess the animal the other is thinking of. with young kids, we say - "i'm thinking of an animal and it starts with ___ " and give the letter it starts with. we taught our kids lots of terms by asking if the animal is a carnivore, bipedal, nocturnal, mammal, etc.
goooood luck!
2007-01-01 21:47:39 · answer #3 · answered by cassandra 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For the older one a portable DVD player in my opinion is the best. Try borrowing one if you don't have one. Crayons and paper are a cheaper way to entertain. Kiddie music you can sing along to. When you do stop make sure he or she runs around. The baby will probably do great. Just make sure he or she is fed and has a clean diaper, chances are he/she may sleep most of the way.
When we have had to do long trips we found leaving at night worked better for us. The kids slept the whole way. The down side is we were exhausted!
Hope all goes well.
2007-01-01 22:49:13 · answer #4 · answered by Jenn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leave early morning, say 3am. The kids will still be tired and sleep for several hours. Stop for breakfast 1/2 way there. Let the 4 yr. old burn off some energy after breakfast. For the remainder of the trip sing songs together, play games like looking for license plates from different states, watch videos or talk.
I was lucky as my kids always slept in the car. I hope this works for you and I wish you good luck.
2007-01-01 21:46:10 · answer #5 · answered by sunnyca 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well I will tell you driving alone with the kids is very hard if you have to stop to go to the bathroom or get a cup of coffee you have to drag the kids out of the car. I go on vacation with my kids one a year we have six It's a hard ride there thank god for my husband. Best advice travel at night make sure everyone goes to the bathroom try to give them as little to drink as possible driving at night will also help with that . Take something for your 4 year old to do in case she wakes up it will keep her busy also give her some of the baby's toys and show her some tricks to keeping little brother or sister content till you can get off the road. PS don't stop at truck stops or rest areas alone make sure you exit at a well lighted area with gas stations and restaurants. Good luck
2007-01-02 00:41:19 · answer #6 · answered by lovewhereilive 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ring lots of snacks and drinks for the 4 year old. Also make sure to have toys for both kids and movies for a DVD player if you have one. And try to make a few stops so you can all stretch your legs. I have made the trip between GA and CT a few times so if you need any tips feel free to email me.
2007-01-01 21:52:06 · answer #7 · answered by lovemysailor02 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Drive through the night so they will sleep most of the trip.
Get games,crayons and toys for your 4 year old.
Prepare for their routine to be scrambled.
Be prepared to make tons of stops.
Bring snacks.
Get some children's music Cd's to play in the car.
Have blankets and pillows in the seat for them.
I'm thinking the 3 month old may sleep through most of the trip..that's still sort of in new born state.but may get cranky in the car seat....so try and make baby as comfy as possible.
Also, b4 the trip,make lists of the things you know you will need and don't want to forget.
Oh, and with the 4 year...don't toss him/her all the toys your brought at once....hand him/her one then when they get bored with that one...give them another.This will keep the toy thing interesting for a longer period of time.
2007-01-01 21:50:28 · answer #8 · answered by Dream 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My 3 year old and 2 year old both get really fussy in the car and I bought them Magnadoodles and the both love them. I would bring one of those, some books, my son has a V-Tech computer that he loves, or if you have the money invest in a tv that you can hang on the back of your seat. Bring plently of snacks, pillows, blankets to sleep with. Goodness, I feel for you, you are a brave person. I could do it :)
2007-01-01 21:42:13 · answer #9 · answered by sunnysideup 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
plan to stop alot. like every hour. to feed and go potty. use pull ups on the 4 year old just in case so you dont have a wet carseat. little ones wont like sitting still very long. i just traveled with an 7 year old a 3 year old and a nearly four year old. not alone and we stopped once a hour for someone to go potty. three adults and three kids the best advice i have is plan to stop alot
2007-01-01 22:25:42 · answer #10 · answered by kleighs mommy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋