What To Do During A Very Long Car Journey?

Question

Okay, so in September, we're moving from New York to Florida.

According to Google Map Directions, it'll take 15 hours travelling 955 miles.

When we leave on September 15th, Grace will be 1 year and 13 days. Our twin girls are due on September 5th and providing they come on time, they'll be 10 days old.

We're stopping very often, so we know it'll take a lot longer than 15 hours. We're also staying in hotels along the way.

Anyone have any suggestions as to what to do to keep our children happy? They'll sleep for a while, but we want them to be happy the time they're awake. Anyone ever driven this far?

Answer 1

Put on some lively but smooth jazz music.Buy some new toys secretly without your baby knowing it and open them when she is really fussy. Good luck and congrats!

Answer 2

Ignore the answer above. I suggest to buy a portable DVD player and have them watch movies or you can play games that they would enjoy and so the family is involved too. Singing some songs can be fun too. You can buy coloring books for your one year old and some toys.

Answer 3

But a portable dvd player with a screen at walmart and stock up on sponge bob dvds

Answer 4

Having just drove with my four month old from MN to TN, it is not easy.

My best advice is to drive while they sleep and stop and wear them out by keeping them awake as long as possible.

We thought we could drive through and only stop a few times but that didn't happen. He got so frustrated with us that his doctor that we called said to give him half of the reccommended amount of baby tylenol just to calm him down.

bring some with just incase and make plenty of toys accesible. if you have one bring a portable dvd player/laptop with so the older one can watch a fun kids movie and the youger ones should be soothed by the sounds.

BEST TIP: Make Sure there is a place for you to sit in back with them if possible. holding the bottle(if you are bottle feeding) and singing or playing soft music or humming was the most soothing for our little one.

we were much better prepared for the trip back then the trip down.

good luck and stay relaxed

Answer 5

I actually made a 10 hour car journey (that took 15) when my sons were only 3 years old and 6 days old. The good news is that when they are that young, they tend to sleep a lot, though often not when you want them to. It is good that you are planning to make stops and stay in hotels, that will help a lot.

As for the older one, I suggest making her a goody bag that includes her favorite toys, books, etc so that when she gets restless you will have an arsenal of distractions to whip out. Try different things to try to keep her happy. If nothing will keep her happy (which will probably be the case more than once) then I suggest pulling over at a rest area or some similar place and getting out of the car for a bit. Keep plenty of bottles, snacks, and wipes on hand (it does get messy in a car!)

Most of all, try to be patient yourself. You WILL eventually get there, though it will certainly seem like you never will at times.

Good Luck with your move!

Hope this helps.