In about a month and a half we will be going on a weeks vacation with our, then, 16 month old DD. The problem is, that if we were to get a plane right to where we are going it will cost more then twice as much, then if we got a plane to a city 4 hours away and had someone pick us up. :rolleyes: And I'm talking a LOT more. :eek:

I have worked it out so that the car ride coencides with nap time, but that will only kill, at most, 1 1/2 hours. So now we have to figure out how we can keep her entertained for 2 1/2 hours sitting still in a car seat? And that's after a 1 1/2 hour plane ride. We thought we could stop after she wakes up for lunch, and let her strech and whatnot. And we figured we'd bring coloring books and crayons, maybe an acubus (we won't let her see it untill the car ride so that its new and interesting) and of course snacks, but then we are out of ideas.

Someone Help! I don't want this to be the drive from hell! She's very busy and I know it will be hard, but we will take all the idea's we can get!

Hi!! We drove with our 16 month old from NY to CA. Imagine that ride?! Honestly, it really wasn't that bad at all. Yes, late at night after driving for 8 hrs she would start to get fussy but until then, she enjoyed looking out the window, eating snacks, looking at picture books, etc. Bring along anything you can think of that'll keep her entertained and content. Just be careful with the snacks. We let her eat too much at first and she ended puking- too many sweets. So you can imagine the horror that caused.

I think it'll be ok. Just try to keep her calm and happy. PLay games with her, talk with her, show her things out the window. PLay some music on the radio that she enjoys. Of course a break would be nice, but I would put it off as long as you could- wait until she starts to get uneasy then take a stop. No point of stopping if she is content.


Good luck!
April

Thanks for the idea's, and hope, April! I'm so worried because trying to get her to sit still for 10 minutes is hard, let alone 5 1/2 hours altogether. lol. She doesn't usually get sweets, so hopefully no puking lol, but my luck she will puke the whole time anyway :P.

We have to take a trip to the City with DS every 4 months and it's a 3 1/2 hour drive and timingwise it never seems to coincide with nap time, although he usually conks out. Last December I brought along my portable DVD player and a Barney DVD -- he was 18 months old at the time and sat and watched the purple dino over and over again. Although that almost backfired 'cuz the little turkey didn't nap at all and I had a cranky little boy after his appointment and when we got to our hotel.

I usually bring along some juice and snacks and feed him shortly after he wakes up from his nap. Try to read stories to him. We turn up the radio and sing. Bring along a few little toys. One of his favorite activities is having us turn the dome light off and one again -- he's obsessed with lights on, lights off....

I second the DVD player idea. You can buy them now for under 200.00. Then check out some movies at the library. You also get a Video Now Jr. to bring along - they are around 70.00 but the screen is small and you have to hold on to it. :)

I third the DVD player. I bought one for my 7 month old who hates car seats and scream like a wild child when I put her in it. I bought care bears and Sesame street and while I know shes still a bit young for movies, she just stares at it in silence, all those moving colors. Sometimes turning up the volume helps a bit too, it catches her attention more. I bought mine for $160, best investment yet :D

Thanks guys! I'll sure look into a portable DVD player. I KNOW she's not going o sit still for too long in the car, she gets restless going to the grocery store 10 mins away lol.