My father-in-law broke his back at work. He lives 19 hours away. We want to go see him within the next month or two. It will be cheaper for us to drive than it would be to fly. So, my question is this.
Does anyone have any tips or suggestions for making a 19 hour road trip with a one year old and two cats?
We really have no other alternative. No one can take the cats, and my father-in-law hasn't seen his grand-daughter yet. So we have to take her and the cats. She has only been on one trip before. That was a 6 hour trip to my dad's house in March. She enjoyed that trip because there was three other kids in the vehicle. This time, it will just be her, my husband, myself, and the cats. I don't know how to prepare her for it and I don't know how to handle that long of a car trip.
I know that we will have to make a few stops on the way so we can all stretch our legs and do diaper changes and potty breaks. I know it will help if I sit in back with her for part of the trip. I just really don't know what to do. I've only ever been on a long ride once, and that was with someone close to my age when I was in high school. I really don't know what to expect for this trip.
It is going to happen, we just haven't nailed down the details yet. I think I have a plan for the cats taken care of. Now I just need to figure things out for our daughter. Can anyone help me with this?
LoriaAmnekia posted on Sep 03, 2006
| views: 313
Comments
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JustmeKaren said on Sep 03, 2006....
Get a portable DVD player, and a box full of her favorite toys. We were on the road for 11 weeks with an 8 month old, and by no means is it easy. Just be prepared to make frequent stops. Also, lots of finger snacks were a big hit too. But the best thing was to get in as much driving time while she slept was the easiest way to get going. Also, as you stated, having you sit in the back will be a plus too.
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boyzmom said on Sep 03, 2006....
Good Luck on your trip! I recently moved 20 hours away, my kids are a little older though, but I heard that having stuff for them to play with like tape, paper, crayons is good. I don't know if that will work for a younger child, it didn't even help with my 4 year old. I think my observation was that whatever works on shorter trips will work for a short time on the longer trip. Food is a really good distraction, I remember my six year old always falling asleep with food in his hand.
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secretlife said on Sep 03, 2006....
the dvd player with a few of her favorite shows will help alot.
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silverwhisper said on Sep 04, 2006....
remember that any time you stop the car, take care of all of your needs at once: food, fuel, potty breaks, etc.
ed
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spiker37 said on Sep 04, 2006....
One year old will be easier as they are less mobile by themselves.
DVD player with lots of his favourite DVDs, some portable toys that he likes, snacks (sweets and crackers), water, packet milk or juice. Portable potty and lots of diapers. It will be a plus point if all these items are within your reach in the car.
Sitting at the back to accompany him does help as you can keep him entertain through the journey.
If the kid get cranky and make a lot of noise (that can give you a splitting headache, try winding down the window half way so that the sound of the wind can muffle the kid's noise. It works for me.
Enjoy your trip there. It's an experience for all parents to go on a road trip with your kids.
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sigroid75 said on Sep 04, 2006....
parents, i need your help, too.
if you open my site, you can find two articles
there on my mother. i wrote about her 50th birthday
and an open letter than i gave her. she was so upset
with me and she won't talk to me.
as mothers, how would you feel? please help me.
thanks!
Comment on "Parents, I need your help"
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