Falling Asleep in the Car

Oh boy I so know about your frustrations. When my daughter was that age and I would commute home from my Mom’s it was the same thing. She would fall asleep and then crankiness proceeded. At first I was thinking my poor little girl is so tired and I would let her sleep. It was how cranky she was when she had to wake up ½ hr later that I couldn’t take the guilt anymore!! I felt so bad for her.

I did a couple of things: I had one of those cd’s in my car of Children’s favorite songs. The one with stuff like Old McDonald, If your happy and you know it…stuff that made her engage. I did most the singing, and over did it a bit (I'm sure ppl in the other cars thought I was a nut case) but that’s o.k.!

Next I bought sugar free lollipops which I would give to her about 5 min into our car ride. That way I knew she would be sucking away at it the entire car ride!

It worked!!

I have to agree with having your mom put her down for a nap. When she comes home she needs a snack and quiet time. Even if she doesn't sleep at first, it will save you so much trouble if she can eventually nap early and be awake for your ride home. Sometimes my 7 and 9 year old still feel like crashing after a particularly intense day. I let them. Kid's bodies usually know what they need. Plus time with you and Dad at home is so important. I think you should give it a shot.

I play music really loud so she cant sleep. Like "we will rock you" which is her fav song, or a veggie tales soundtrack. And I give her books to read.

Have your Mom put her to nap, at her house.

Afterschool... kids are TIRED from their day. It is a long day for them.
My daughter was like that too.
They need a nap.
My daughter, NAPPED after school. Just would pass out. Young children, really are so frazzled and tired after school. They need rest.

Just napping in the car, for ONLY a half-hour.... isn't enough for her.
And then having to stay up, after getting home at 7:00... she is still just too tired/fussy etc. It is too much sleep interruption or lack of sleep.
So yes, it does mess up her bedtime.... and sleep. Not good.
She is sleep deprived.

If she is sleeping, when Daddy comes home... don't wake her just for that. LET her sleep.... she needs it. Because, you by then, have already bathed her and fed her... at your Mom's, before heading home.

You don't want her... to then be sleep deprived and tired, AT school and in school.
Kids... need sleep and naps. That makes them at optimum alertness and ability... in school.

My kids, do not get good naps nor a 'full' nap in the car.

If my girls nap past 2pm they're up till 10pm or later! I try desperately NOT to let them fall asleep if we're driving home and they're tired: I sing, poke, prode, ANYTHING to keep them alter for those precious few extra minutes.

What about letting your mom give her a nap as soon as she's done school? Then she won't be so tired on the way home and it might not be so disruptive to your evening routine. Or would your mom be willing to take her home earlier so that you're not having to drive home at 7pm?

If we're in the car any longer than about 15 minutes late in the afternoon my kids will fall asleep and it keeps them up REALLY late, even just a bit of sleep at that time. So, I put on a DVD for them, comment on things on the side of the road (like a really cool fire truck, etc), ask them what's going on on the DVD, give them drinks/food. These things will usually keep them awake!

Hi L.
Maybe she could have a little nap when she arrives at your Moms