Anyone driving long distance with kids?

[bigmac5]

St-Thomas, eh? I will actually be there next weekend. I am taking my 5 year old to see Thomas the Tank Engine. Yes, he is spoiled! First Thomas and then Disney a week after that

I see that advanced tickets are sold out. I hope you have yours. If my kids were younger I would take them too. They were big fans of Thomas.

 

[skbasnett]

I just hope I can sleep a little while he's driving or if I will be too nervous about him driving/sleeping!!!! We hope to get to SC or Georgia and then we will spend the night, we would like to spend a night in Savannah in the historic district, has anyone stayed in this area? Is it worth it, it might depend on the time of day we get there! My DH wants to try to rig up his laptop so the kids can watch a movie but I don't know if it will work well if the roads are little rough/bumpy.
Good luck to all of us who are driving down!!!!

That is so true about all wives...we cant sleep knowing the husband is driving! When we go we are hoping to get down toward GA. We will be leaving on a Thursday night and checking into ASMo on that Saturday. Any thoughts on where we should stop would be greatly appreciated!

 

[becca011906]

That is so true about all wives...we cant sleep knowing the husband is driving! When we go we are hoping to get down toward GA. We will be leaving on a Thursday night and checking into ASMo on that Saturday. Any thoughts on where we should stop would be greatly appreciated!

No tips on were to stay since we don't plan to stop and sleep... But i will say i can sleep great while dh is driving if all the kids are sleeping or watching a movie... we often make long drives. My kids are very use to the car. I drive to my sister atleast 2 times a week for meeting, that's a 1 hour drive 1 way. I also go up to visit family about 1 time a month, that's a 2 hour drive one way and we usally don't stay over for that visit. Then we drive up to my grandmother's house that is a 4 hour drive one way that i've made many time on my own with all the kids! But when dh is with me i sleep very well. And i'm not worried about dh falling sleep b/c he works night now and is good about stayng awake at night time. But i'm worried a little b/c he switches to days 8 days before we leave... but it should be ok!!! Plus with the other car following us we can talk on our cell phones if need be while our dh's sleep!

 

[oogieboogie]

The one thing I always make sure I have enough of in the car when travelling with kids.... ZIPLOC bags!!!

I keep a stash of the hefty zipper quart size ones and when the kids start to complain that their tummies hurt (which is a good sign they're going to barf), the ziploc bags are there to contain it. It gets filled, zipped, and tossed at the first rest stop. No muss, no stink, and no mess!

Other than that, the others have stated great stuff... DVD, games, pillows (get those small bean filled pillows), post-it notes, tray tables, crayons. I brought play-doh too for the kids. They loved using the playdoh with the pipe cleaners.

Another thing I did which I don't recommend but was so worth it for us, when we drove at night, we took the middle seat out of the van and put down blankets and pillows, and the kids slept there.

 

[blessedby3]

I did not read all the posts so excuse if this has been posted, but some of the first posts said they didnt want to add $100 for a room on the way down. I dont either, so if I dont get good airfare rates we are driving and I signed up for Choice Hotels credit card and get 2 free nights after using the card once. They credit 16,000 points I believe, and it should be enough to get 2 free nights at most places. I realize I will have to search a bit, but free lodging up and down is worth it. I will just cancel the card after our trip. Some hotels are more points per night so you would have to look for one that is in that point range. It is at- www.choicehotels.com
When we travel we also try and stop at a fast food place with a play zone. DH and I (and oldest DD) order and eat while the 2 younger kids play and get some pent up energy out of their systems. When we are ready to go, we order food for the younger 2 and take it with us in the van. They eat on the go and they were able to play for a bit instead of sitting some more to eat.

 

[Disneyrsh]

I want to add a caution about crayons in the car.

If you forget one in the car and you park in the florida heat (DIsney parking lots are hotter than the face of the sun), they will MELT all OVER your car. We use the color wonder markers by Crayola, they only create color on the special books that come with them. You can get them at Toys R Us or occasionally costco.

Those darn crayons are so verboten in our car now after a disastrous 64 crayon box meltdown in our last minivan!

If you're driving down 75 to Disney, the exit that has the sheriff's boy's ranch (or something like that) has a really, really nice bathroom at the gas station (I think it's a BP) just off the right as you exit headed southbound. They also have really cool alligator heads. Ewww!

Otherwise we avoid the BP gas stations in both Georgia and Florida. Yuck. Texaco's usually pretty good. We usually stop once for gas at the florida/georgia border...

 

[kimlooman]

We will be driving straight through to Disney from Holland, MI in mid October. I think it is about 21 hours. In the past we have stayed in northern Georgia overnight on the way but find our boys don't sleep much or well in the motel room and hence neither do we. So we figure it is nearly $100 savings to drive straight through and just make more stops to stretch. We have an extended mini van and we take a car topper too. We plan to take out one of the bucket middle seats and put a bed type of cushion on the floor for some overnight sleeping on the way. Our two boys 8 and 2 are extremely active and we do our best to keep them belted in as much as possible (the little one is in a car seat still) but realistically, for 20+ hours there is no way we can keep them tied down the whole time. I know we take a risk in having them unbelted but we do what we have to do to stay sane on our trip. We have an overhead DVD player for movies and video games which helps too. I bring plenty of books, snacks and toys to have on the trip as well. We play some games and sing to CDs too. We survive but it is a long trip with little ones!
Good luck!

 

[skbasnett]

My husband and I are doing this drive straight through. We will make the necessary stops but I can already picture my 2 yo after being in his car seat for so long!

 

[RedRuby]

That is so true about all wives...we cant sleep knowing the husband is driving!

Uh, I sincerely hope you're joking. That's quite a generalisation!
FWIW, I sleep just fine knowing that my husband is driving -- and always have. I like highway driving just fine but DH loves to drive, and that's a good thing (Especially since I have an injury to my hands/wrists which makes driving painful and best avoided). Heck, he's the one who said he would only go to WDW if he got to rent a car to drive down and back -- so we could see things along the way. He stuck with this idea even *after* I found $100 roundtrip flights (per person) from Buffalo!

So, to answer the OP, we're a family of four doing the 22-24 hour drive between Toronto and Orlando. We're driving this distance over three days and two nights, departing Thursday afternoon, arriving in Orlando on Saturday (evening probably). Overnight in West Virginia (Beckley, maybe?), and somewhere south of Columbia SC. We are renting a full sized car, and carrying two large suitcases, two backbacks, two Maclaren umbrella strollers, two teddy bears and two precious little girls. And a *box* full of maps and books and travel guides for along the way (and gifts for friends).

 

[RedRuby]

We will be driving straight through to Disney from Holland, MI in mid October. I think it is about 21 hours. In the past we have stayed in northern Georgia overnight on the way but find our boys don't sleep much or well in the motel room and hence neither do we. So we figure it is nearly $100 savings to drive straight through and just make more stops to stretch. We have an extended mini van and we take a car topper too. We plan to take out one of the bucket middle seats and put a bed type of cushion on the floor for some overnight sleeping on the way. Our two boys 8 and 2 are extremely active and we do our best to keep them belted in as much as possible (the little one is in a car seat still) but realistically,
Good luck!

Um, have you considered reading reports of collisions involving unbuckled passengers before you do this again? Try finding something where occupants, including children, survive. Then look again for reports of collisions involving restrained passengers. I am a parent of two, and I tend to avoid driving (even before my injury) because I find it difficult to concentrate properly with whiny/crying/talkative children in the car, so I have BTDT re: the distracted little passengers who don't want to stay in their (car) seats. But, I also feel that their safety (and ours ) must come first.

I don't know you at all and I'm sure you can entirely disregard my suggestion, but honestly, the laws for seatbelts and car seats exist for everyone's safety. If your family is finding 20+ hours on the road to be "too much", then I'd suggest buckling up for shorter periods of time and taking whatever number and type of breaks you require.

You may also wish to consider that as the adult(s) in this situation, you have the responsibility ("duty of care") to those children to ensure they are safe and travelling in accordance with the law. They are not able to make those decisions on their own, which is why the responsibility falls to you. It's not that you have a choice in the matter, if you are going to both obey the law and / or protect your children adequately.

You may also wish to recall that this sort of behaviour would be considered criminal and potentially a matter for children and family services/ children's aid.

Please, for everyone's sake, please rethink this plan. If *anything* happens to you or them, you would never forgive yourself. You can replace the $100 you spend on a hotel or the extra time you spend at the reststops, but you cannot replace your health or lives.

I'm getting off my soap box now because I'm sure I've said too much and will be flamed for flaming you -- but on the other hand, I felt obliged to say *something*.

To be more constructive -- can you try for more rest stops? chances to get out and play? favourite stuffed animals or blankets in the (seats) to help them get settled? driving down over a couple more days to see things along the way?


I do hope you have an enjoyable vacation, and that you get there and back safely. Your local car seat program (eg fire, police, etc) may have ideas about how to keep the children safe and entertained in the vehicle. Good luck!

 

[Disneyrsh]

If you get caught in Georgia with unbuckled kids they come down *very* hard on you.

My kids are always buckled, btw, but they had a show on the evening news showing the state patrol yelling at the parents and giving them hefty tickets.

 

[mickeymousemom]

OKay...first I have to rant....I cannot imagine, in a million years, EVER letting my child out of a seatbelt for even a few seconds. I don't care how much crying, whining, and fussing goes on, I could never do that. The above poster made wonderful points here. It is my responsibility as a parent to make sure my kids are as safe they can possibly be at any given moment. Letting be them be as comfortable as they can be while risking their lives is ridiculous. I have absolutely NO tolerance for parents who would do this. I will not apologize for this rant and my anger as I believe it is only common sense to keep your children buckled up(as well as yourselves) while your vehicle is in motion. I have honestly heard of parents being tried as criminals because their child was killed in an accident due to not being buckled in. I can't imagine...For goodness sake, if you are on a long trip then pull over more often and take longer breaks. If you don't plan on staying the night somewhere then stop at a well lit rest area or truck stop and THEN let your kids lay down and sleep for a couple hours. "Realistically" my hiney! YOU are the parents of those children... YOU are in charge..it is YOUR responsibilty to keep them out of harms way. "Realistically" you could easily end up in an accident with severely injured kids(or worse).....think about your children. I'm sure you love your children very much, but I also think you are in the mindset that this can't happen to you...the chances are so slim, etc. Well, it DOES happen...and it could be YOU. Keep your kids BUCKLED UP!

 

[mickeymousemom]

NOW to post what the OP was asking for...

We are driving from Indiana...it is about a 19 hour drive for us, I believe. We have learned to stop on the way down, even if its only for a few hours in a cheap hotel room. Makes the day we arrive so much better. I have 3 DD's...15, 11, and 2. I know the youngest did get a little fussy when we went last December, so we made a point to stop more often. This year we plan on doing the same and we will also have a DVD system in our van to make things a little easier. IMO, the best and safest way to make them ALL comfortable is to stop more, stop longer, and let them get some exercise. I plan on taking travel games, Color Wonder markers and paper for the 2 yo, and my older DD's may also have homework they can do. Between the travel games, sleeping, and the DVD player we should be okay. Everyone gets tired on long trips...who doesn't....but we do what we can to make it as easy as possible. The older two also usually buy a book and magazines to read.

 

[bigmac5]

Mickeymousemom I agree with you 100% I don't start my vehicle until everyone is buckled up--That's everyone. We are driving down from Ontario via I-75 we plan at least one stop and if we want two stops. We have boys 11,13 and 14. They have a hard time sitting still. Even a 10 minute stop to stretch legs makes a big difference. We have the DVD, Game boys and MP3's but they still need that break--so does the driver!!

 

[TNKBELL]

I have another recommendation. It is a good idea to put something alittle high wear your children's feet will be. For example, if your child is in a booster or toddler seat, make sure their legs don't dangle since that could be very uncomfortable. I usually put a big rubbermaid comtainer (filled with small toys and goodies) so they can rest their feet on it. It helps!

We drove to Colorado and Dd3 was miserable because her feet kept falling asleep and I had to massage her every 20 minutes or so! The next trip we put a cooler under her feet just the perfect height and she was very comfortable too! Thanks, I had forgotten about that!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Uh, I sincerely hope you're joking. That's quite a generalisation!
FWIW, I sleep just fine knowing that my husband is driving -- and always have.

I'm sure it was in jest. In my case--it is very true. I sleep--we could die. Literally. Hubby cannot stay awake at the wheel at night.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

OP--as far as the strained necks of the kiddo's---try One step ahead and other baby supply places--you can get special pillows so that their head is resting on something and their neck isn't strained while they sleep.

http://www.onestepahead.com/jump.js...ategory&iMainCat=117&iSubCat=27208&change=117

 

[MamaLema]

Everyone has given great advice so far so I won't repeat anything. We drove from Canada non-stop with kids 1,6, and 8. DH refuses to stop overnight at a hotel so I'm going to wait until next year so youngest will be almost 3.

The drive was OK, but when we reached our destination, I felt I at least deserved a T-shirt that said "I survived a 24 road trip with 3 active boys"

 

[MidgeD79]

We drive to WDW abut every other year from SE MI. Last summer we did it over 3 days including a trip to the ocean and no dvd player.Ages of kids were 6 (adhd) 8 & 10 plus 22 & 24 and myself 43. Each child packed a backbag with their stuff. Sometimes they traded. It was a great time to talk and learn about where we were at.

 

[skbasnett]

We drive to WDW abut every other year from SE MI. Last summer we did it over 3 days including a trip to the ocean and no dvd player.Ages of kids were 6 (adhd) 8 & 10 plus 22 & 24 and myself 43. Each child packed a backbag with their stuff. Sometimes they traded. It was a great time to talk and learn about where we were at.

Thank you so much!! I find that as a society we are becoming so unsocial...even with our own parents/children. So, thank you for saying that you took the time to talk to your kids. We need that so much more now in life...Though it might help to have a dvd player in the car and each person with their own MP3 player an cell phone, it limits conversations and really does keep people from learning more about their own family.