I just wanted to add my $.02 worth!
We drove out to DC and Williamsburg and Niagara Falls on a long (3 week) trip in June/July of 2000 with our 4 boys (then ages 3,5,7,9). We also drove to Pennsylvania when we just had the oldest 2 (they were then ages 2 and 3 1/2). On both trips, we drove 13 hours the first day, then 8-10 hours the second day. I could not believe they were MY kids! I think the excitement of the trip kept them busy, because I had a truckload of things for them to do (even bought little gifts at garage sales and wrapped them up for them to open occasionally). But you know what? I didn't use those wrapped gifts on that first trip until day 13 of a 14 day trip!
My kids are MUCH better on a LONG trip than on a short 1-3 hour trip! I can't figure it out! Maybe it's because I spend a lot of time that first day expecting them to act up, so I try to keep them busy?? I don't know! The entire first day (13 hours) of our trip last year, my then 3 year old played with his magnadoodle and a little tarzan figure! We were even stuck construction traffic in Chicago for THREE hours literally standing still, and NOT ONE made a peep! DH and I were more crabby than the boys!
We are flying down to Florida on Jan. 31st, but DH actually wants to drive instead! (And now we have ANOTHER boy who will be 2 months at the time!)
I know with a family our size, we would save money driving!
We drove out to DC and Williamsburg and Niagara Falls on a long (3 week) trip in June/July of 2000 with our 4 boys (then ages 3,5,7,9). We also drove to Pennsylvania when we just had the oldest 2 (they were then ages 2 and 3 1/2). On both trips, we drove 13 hours the first day, then 8-10 hours the second day. I could not believe they were MY kids! I think the excitement of the trip kept them busy, because I had a truckload of things for them to do (even bought little gifts at garage sales and wrapped them up for them to open occasionally). But you know what? I didn't use those wrapped gifts on that first trip until day 13 of a 14 day trip!
My kids are MUCH better on a LONG trip than on a short 1-3 hour trip! I can't figure it out! Maybe it's because I spend a lot of time that first day expecting them to act up, so I try to keep them busy?? I don't know! The entire first day (13 hours) of our trip last year, my then 3 year old played with his magnadoodle and a little tarzan figure! We were even stuck construction traffic in Chicago for THREE hours literally standing still, and NOT ONE made a peep! DH and I were more crabby than the boys!
We are flying down to Florida on Jan. 31st, but DH actually wants to drive instead! (And now we have ANOTHER boy who will be 2 months at the time!)
I know with a family our size, we would save money driving!