Traveling Sagas Jul 02
While I will not even attempt to describe in detail how our time goes in the van on long trips (long, to me, equals 5+ hours), I will say that it is somewhere between miserable and awful.
While Savannah hit the just about content on a long car ride at around 18 months, Aubrey is not there yet. In. any. way. whatsoever.
We did, however, have a highlight on our ride home from Mississippi/Memphis the other day.
Both girls. Fast asleep. For 1 1/2 hours.
Wow.
That has not happened in months and months.
It was great, to say the least. I didn't even dare talk to Aaron during this time. Instead I wrote him notes. Yes, I'm serious.
So, yes, we have pretty nasty rides on long trips. Any suggestions? Tips? I feel like I've tried it all. Videos. Singing. Books. Food. Peek-a-boo. Where are your eyes, your nose, etc? Give me five. Blah, blah, blah.
Perhaps I have not tried it ALL and I welcome your suggestions. Just tell me quick because we have another long ride ahead of us next week. A 7-hour ride, in fact. Whew. Miserable. Awful. Saga.
P.S. Our families and friends are worth it though = ).
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8 Comments
When our kids were small we used to live 17 hours away from family. We left for many trips around 7 at night and they slept in the car most of the night while we drove. All. night. long. By the time they awoke the next morning we were within 4 hours or so. That four hour morning stretch was by far the hardest but they learned to be good travelers. We tried things in the car that we don't normally have at home. Like fun cereal, rolls of scotch tape ( i know, its a mess but not as bad as some messy things - like biter biscuits.) :O A new video seemed to help as well. It was always hard to stop and get out - because of the whole getting strapped back in idea. So we tried not to stop unless they were sleeping or it was mealtime. Family IS worth it. They'll come around. Hang in there.
I love the tape idea! Savannah likes to do stickers but A's not quite ready for that yet, I don't think.
We've actually tried leaving around 6 at night and they have both fallen asleep in the car around 8 and slept the rest of the way there, but we're the ones SO darn tired the next day, we just have stopped doing that.
17 hours? Wow. That's insane!!!
Our saving grace has been our DVD player. We only have to travel 2.5 hours to my parents and 3.5 to my in-laws but it was well worth it to get the DVD player! He has not cried on a trip since christmas!! : )
Melody, I have NO clue why your comment posted 8x = (. Sorry a/b that....love our DVD player too. That is what clicked with Savannah and long trips. At least we just have one sad child to deal w/ in the car. Hopefully Aubrey will get interested in it soon.
Fixed it!
They are so beautiful - especially sleeping.
Laurin, I would definitely give Aubrey a little benedryl --You said she had a runny nose anyway!! What will it hurt? Nothing could be worse than her whinning all the way. Or should I say, screaming!! Doesn't look like those babies could be anything but perfect--they look like little angels sleeping.
Sometimes I roll the windows down and just let the force of highway air take them over. Usually they fall right to sleep
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