hey you guys, i need some reassurance…. at the end of feburuary we are taking our first family trip to tampa from pensacola, with a 2 year old and a 11 month old and i need some tips on how to survive the 8 hour (or more) trip in the car. Any toy ideas or games or any advice would be wonderful. I am really nervous because they HATE the car and I want everyone to have a great time and be relaxed during our vacation, so i am really nervous, thanks for helping
Any traveling parents out there ?
31
May
camopaiser
May 31, 2010 at 10:24 am
I am having the same problem but Mine is a newborn. Baby will be born sometime tomorrow and driving over 12 hrs. on the 27th of November. Good Luck
sdselt
May 31, 2010 at 10:48 am
We purchased one of those DVD players for the car – with 2 screens that hang on the back of the drivers and passengers seats – we pop in SpongeBob or the Wiggles, or whatever they kids like that week, and off we go. I would recommend stopping often for potty breaks and to let them move around (just have lunch and a snack outside the car)…mine are 1 & 3 now, but we have been traveling since my daughter was about 3 months old and this has been the best way we’ve found to keep them happy while traveling! Hope you guys have a blast!
arbz101
May 31, 2010 at 11:22 am
I would suggest you play some childrens’ music and take breaks every hour or so and go for 5 minute walks in order to keep them from becoming bored. After a while they will fall asleep and you’ll be set.
aswkingfish
May 31, 2010 at 12:05 pm
The 2 year old will be the worst because he will stay awake the longest not providing you with breaks. I am a veteran of traveling with kids. Be prepared for (ARE WE THERE YET?), oh and be prepared for (I’M HUNGRY and I NEED TO GO TO THE BATHROOM.) The bathroom you can solve with a 20 oz Coke bottle if you don’t want to stop right away. As for games just bring some of his favorites and he’ll find a way to play OK. As for the younger Holding and attention will be the method there except when sleeping.
keetonsmom
May 31, 2010 at 12:32 pm
You might invest in a DVD player. When my son was a year we took a trip that was 16 hours. Some would think that it would bad for a one year old to watch movies, but it is a good way to keep the peace in the car. For the little one maybe some Little Einsteins would be good. Also see if you can figure out why they hate the car so much and maybe make some changes. Also take some toys that the enjoy at home that would be appropriate in the car.
Some people have even suggested that you travel at night. If your kids will sleep in the car this would be a good way to keep them quite in the car.
We have traveled a lot in the past two years. Three trips to Colorado, 12 + hours and I have to say that my son is pretty good in the car. Also I will say that it was easier to travel with one year old then when he was older. The younger they are the more the sleep during the day.
Also if you are trying to start potty training your 2 year old you might put a diaper on instead of pull ups. That way you will have fewer accidents and less clothes changing needed.
Most of all take snacks so you will not have to stop every time someone gets hungry. And remember to enjoy yourself it might be hard sometimes but things will be okay.
Genessa
.vato.
May 31, 2010 at 1:13 pm
Don’t worry about it! We drive from Pensacola to Tampa all the time–probably once a month–with my son who is almost two. Before my cousin went back home he would go too. [My father-in-law lives in Tampa.] We’ve been doing it ever since he was born. We just got back from a trip from Pensacola to New Mexico now that was long! We’ve also do a trip to North Carolina and Ohio once a year. I’m telling you it’s really no big deal. Just bring some snacks, bring some toys, and relax. You could also get a kids CD to listen to if they like music. When you stop for gas, let them get out and stretch their legs. Also, talk to them. No kid [no matter how young they are] likes to be in a car bored even if they can’t talk. Point out things going by. Get them excited about the vacation. Just keep their mind off the fact that they’re stuck in the car and help them have fun! Kids know how you feel and if you’re nervous then they’ll be nervous. Best of Luck!
RedSoxSweetie
May 31, 2010 at 1:32 pm
My daughter is 2 and I have done lots of traveling with her… In fact we are flying to New York tonight to visit family for Thanksgiving! When she was 10 weeks old we moved accross the country, we drove from New England to Los Angeles, that was a fun trip… We fly back and fourth from LA to New York or Boston fairly often and we drive from LA to Vegas on a pretty regular basis as well (it’s around 4 hours and we do it at least once every 2 months or so…) I’m lucky that my daughter loves the car and she’s always great on planes, she sleeps a lot in both and when she’s awake she watches movies or plays with her toys or colors. The key is to just keep them entertained enough so that they don’t realize how long it’s been and take breaks periodically so that they don’t get too restless (if you are in the car then stop at a rest area and let them run around for a few minutes or if you’re on a plane then go for a walk down the aisles…)