Going the Distance with a Two Year Old BOY!!!!!!

Drive at night. Keep him up the entire day and hire someone to keep him up for you to take a nap. Feed a him full meal/give him a bath... and plop him in the car seat... I use to do this with my daughter... driving at night. Best thing because as she got older, I would not have to hear are we there yet? where are we now? etc.

Good luck.

Melatonin, and a tv/dvd player, preferrably with a remote! and if he wont stay in the car seat, he is in the wrong one!

The only time I would take him out of his seat is if the car is pulled over and you guys are taking a break. Otherwise, don't take him out of the car seat. My Papaw was an officer and saw too many little children who were thrown out of cars that had been in accidents. Don't chance it!! He's too precious!

Do not take him out of his seat no matter what, anything can happen at any time. We have been going on road trips with our kids since my oldest was 2 months old. (He's now 7). We take annual trips up north. Omaha 10 hrs and we've even drove straight through 17 hours to Indiana. What really helps is if you can drive through the night or even leave later evening. My husband worked late hours so that helped us in our driving over nights on trips. Also my kids really love the portalable DVD player. Get a couple new dvds...that way they'll be new so he'll watch them. I've also bought little dollar toys and give to the kids throughout the trip. Any kids music cd's have been great too. This year so my husband and I wouldn't go crazy listening to all the kids dvds we invested in some headphones for them. You're little guy may be to little for them though. Don't forget plenty of snacks...I prepackage them in the snack size sandwich bags. Good Luck!

DON'T TAKE YOUR SON OUT OF THE CAR SEAT WHILE THE CAR IS ROLLING!!!! When my daughter was 2 we moved from Houston to Dallas, driving up every weekend. I bought LOTS of electronic toys. She learned all her shapes and numbers on those drives! Also plan lots of stops. McDonald's is a great place. Anyplace with climbing tubes are great stops.

The bottom line is it will just take longer to get there. You might want to consider breaking the drive into two days. Arriving in one piece is worth the extra time.

L. F., Mom of a 12-year-old

I'm a single mom and have done these types of trips all of the time with my son and now my daughter. Personally, I don't like to drive at night, so if you don't like it, don't do it. I usually get up at the crack of dawn and start - that way my son is up for a couple of hours, but definitely falls asleep early for a longer morning nap.

The DVD player is a life safer for entertainment. Oh, and buy a new DVD that you know he will enjoy. For long road trips, I always try to get a new DVD to hold his attention (Walmart often has some on sale cheap).

If he needs to get out, definitely stop and PLAY somewhere - even if it adds an hour to your trip, it is worth it to stretch your legs and let him run around a bit.

-L.

NO, absolutely do NOT take him out of the car seat while the car is driving. Why is it he doesn't want to ever stay in his car seat? Do you usually just let him out of it if he gets fussy?
Either way, bring lots of different snacks & drinks, coloring books, toys, play doh (small ones), toy cars, etc.
You should probably run by the dollar store or dollar tree and stock up on some dollar toy items that will be new to him when you give them to him in the car and therefore interest him longer.
Also, make stops approx every 2-3 hours so he can get out and move around. Sounds silly but the more stops you get out and take a break, the faster the drive seems.

We've done many road trips with our kiddos and their NEVER as bad as I anticipated. He'll be fine and you'll survive, just don't let him out of the car seat. If something happens to him, you'll never forgive yourself.
Good luck and take care!

Invest in a portable DVD player and plenty of other activities to keep him busy/distracted. There are paint pens that only paint on the right paper called "let's go paint". My 2 yr old uses them occasionally. plenty of books to look at and stuffed toys that he likes. Invest in something new and don't give it to him until you are on your way so the novelty will not wear off as quickly. Plan for plenty of stops (probably every 2 hours) and let him get out for a few minutes. Do not take him out of the seat while you are driving! Would you ever forgive yourself if something happened to him that you could have prevented? I know I wouldn't and that is a huge burden to carry around for the rest of your life.

My husband and I just got back from Florida with our 4 yr. old and 2 1/2 yr. old - and we drove....a 13 hr. trip! It's wasn't as bad as it seems. When we stopped for lunch we'd stop at McDonald's so they could run off some of their energy (about 15 min.). We also have a dvd in the car which helped out a bunch. A two hour movie kills lots of time. Not sure if you have one but it's so worth the money. I also packed a big tote bag full of different play things: books, coloring book and markers (the kind that only write on paper and are clear otherwise), a magna doodle, and they each picked out a favorite toy. I also packed several snack size ziplocks filled with goldfish, chips ahoy, etc. This was enough stuff to keep them entertained. And depending on what time you leave there's a good chance he'll nap some. Good luck!

I have been in your shoes! My now 6 yr old would scream four 4 hours straight(a regular trip for us) never falling asleep. Benadryl had the opposite affect as most kids...it made him hyper and wide awake! We have even had to drive 24 hours with him like this. I have no cures or magical finds, but the best advice I have (that I lived by) is purchase a DVD player! It will save your mental health! Keep a movie playing the whole time!! AND NEVER EVER take him out of the car seat, I always thought "what if" someone hit us? I would never ever forgive myself for what could potentially happen to my whole world (my son). We would take frequent breaks, just for our peace of mind and to gather our selves back up for the mental strain. Re-group and stick it out! You are tougher than a child. It will pass. BUT please dont take your precious baby out of the car seat, all you are doing is teaching him that he can win. It will bite you in the long run when you are trying to teach an even greater lesson. We are the parents! You can do this!! I know how hard it is!! best of luck!!

Heres my 2cents:
1 buy or borrow a portable DVD player with 6-8 hours of DVD's
2 try and get a tray that attaches to the carseat for activities and special non messy snacks
3 get several new toys to pull out every 2 hours or so. You can get alot for your money at the dollar store. Try different things like plastic cups or big spoons or spatualas...things He might not usually get to play with
4 try to make at least one stop half way through. Someplace like a park or maybe even a mall so he can get some exercise and have something to look forward to.
5 And last but not least...Do NOT take your child out of the car seat while you are driving unless you want him to DIE! Its as simple as that. Try pinning the straps together on the carseat and make sure it is pulled tight enough...you should be able to get two fingers only under the strap. Make sure the buckle is pulled up even with his underarms. You can go to any firestation and they will check your fit etc. He would love to go and see firetrucks i bet!
good luck and stay safe

If you love your child, and I know you do, then you never let them out to play in the backseat while driving!
I would stop every 2-3 hours, just to let all of you stretch, run around, play ball or something to relax. Then back he goes. They learn that it is your rule and safe regardless of thier crying or tantrums. Also, does he have things to play with he can reach, and maybe a sippy cup in a holder near by. Even 2-3 new car toys for the trip is a suggestion.
I have 5 grandchildren and 3 are in car seats each time they go anywhere. They like them and know all get buckled before the car starts.
Good Luck, V. B.

Dear M.,

Do not let him out of his carseat at anytime you are driving. Stop every two hours at a McDonalds or the like to let him run around or at a rest area and run around there. Take lots of little toys he likes, get a portable DVD player with Barney type shows he likes to keep his interest for awhile. He is still little but you are the boss and need to let him know he must stay in his carseat to be safe. Take fruit snacks, cheerios etc that he can eat. Have sippy cup available for him as well. We travel every year to Canada from here and all kids (two boys) have endured the long car ride with the above mentioned stuff.

C.

I traveled alot with my son when he was that age, he is 16 now. I made up my own rules and they seemed to work great.
#1 Leave during his bedtime, early in the morning or late late at night making sure you are well rested. That way he is sure to sleep at least part of the way even if he is disrupted at first. Most folks told me to make sure he was well rested for the trip so he wouldn't be cranky, I went against this advice thinking he would be wide awake and want to get out of his seat. I was right.

#2 Feed in intervals. Food keeps a toddler busy for at least part of the time. Pack his faves and only get them out when he is cranky. I made sure my son got in the car for the trip hungry. Only giving him a small dose of goldfish, then when he complained again, apple or banan bits, then later when he griped more, a popsicle (it was worth the mess to keep him occupied and not crying)

#3 Stop. If you've tried all the rest and have been on the road for at least an hour or so. Stop and play. Just go into a playland at a fastfood resteraunt and have a yogurt while he gets all that energy out! Or a park, or rest stop with a ball, whatever. It's a nice break for you too!

#4 Bring noisy toys he's never seen before and don't get them out until you are in the car and is fussy. One at a time at fussy intervals. Boooks can be great as well, especailly the ones with fuzzy things to touch etc.

#5 If he's into movies, beg borrow or steal a partable dvd player, they can be a life saver.

Lastly, the overall key for me was to let him be until it was too much for me to handle then pull out a remedy or distraction.

DO NOT let him out of the carseat just to hang out in the car. You would NEVER forgive yourself if something happened to him and you risked his life for a little peace. He won't be two forever, you can handle it. even 8 hours worth.

Good Luck!

Don't even consider taking him out of his car seat while the car is moving! That is so unsafe! Even a minor fender bender can be deadly to a small child. I work with EMS and see this all the time! Please, your child is your most precious cargo! Also, if you start letting him out of his car seat when he fusses or if you don't stop and immediately put him back in when he gets out himself, he will think it is ok to do it all the time. They know how to work you, thats for sure. Just be sure he understands that the car DOES NOT MOVE with him out of his seat. If he gets out alone, pull over and don't move again till he is buckled. DVD's work great with younger children. Take snacks, drinks, and do sing alongs, etc. with him. I don't like "medicating" a child to make them behave either. They have to have an outlet just like we do when we are frustrated and sometimes crying etc, is their way. Just be sure to stop and let him stretch every 2 or 3 hours and be patient. He may surprise you on a longer trip like that. Point out neat things to him, cars, tractors, motorcycles, etc too. We took our grandson on a 16 hour trip when he was 2 and he did great. Good luck and just be firm and consistent about the car seat. He will learn!

God Bless you. We refuse to drive anywhere if it is over a 2hr drive, but, we have an only child (13 now) so it is not like tugging 2-3 children with us on a flight.

My neighbors have 3 girls. They do long haul drives and the tactic they use is to wear the girls out all day with activities, etc. Then, at bedtime, get in the car and drive. She says they sleep most of the way.

They do stay in car seats. I personally would not let my child out of a car seat. Accidents can happen anytime.

Best wishes to you on your trip.

Never take a chance and remove him from the seat. You did not say how long of a drive you were going to have??? Can you drive closer to his bed time or keep him up so that he can sleep, naturally. Dimatapp knox my kids out, but I have only used it when their allergies were bothering them.

get a new seat if he can unbuckle it.... but he MUST stay in --if he ever thinks or does get out he'll always want to get out. Let him scream all he wants but don't let him out....Maybe you might need ear plugs/ ears phones if he screams-- he'll eventually wear out and fall asleep..

A portable DVD with his favorite of new dvds would be great!
Is there anyone else that can drive or go with you...maybe riding in the back with him would help too!

When we go on a trip I pick my sons favorite movie and use our portable DVD player. Also no do not let your child play in the back seat out of his car seat its dagerous and against the law. You may also want to think about what time of day you leave we always leave real early like 4 or 5 am so he will sleep though most of the driving. And if he does get restless then stop at a playground or play area and let him run it out. HTH

M., I certainly understand driving the distance you plan to travel with a two year old. However, please do not take him out of the car seat to play..it's very dangerous. I would suggest that you break up your trip and stop at least every two hours and let him play for a good 15 min.or so and that maybe will calm him. It's imperative that he learn that he needs to stay in the car seat because Mommy says so. :)Try some soothing instrumental music and a handful of toys that he can play with. Have a good trip.

Snacks are great. Redirect his attention to the scenery and bring toys, magazines, books, and electronics. My kids did great with a portable dvd player and our trip took days.

Hi M.,

I have a 2yo as well and we just got back from a 10 hour trip both ways...just the two of us. I just make sure its her bedtime or I leave early in the morning around 3-4am...that way I get the chance to get a lot of driving out of the way.

I have purchased $1 store items(toys) and give them one at a time every hour. She enjoyed getting new little toys during her trip. I made sure she didn't see them until it was time for the trip. I also used children CD's that I either purchased or borrowed from the library...and I sing along with her and that keeps her very happy. Make sure you stop for breaks so he will not be in the seat for long periods.

I think its wrong to give medication unless a child is ill or needs the meds for health reasons. You can make the trip w/o that...just be creative!

Keep him in the car seat! The life you save, may be his!

NOOOOOOOO!!!!! Please, don't let your son play in the back seat while you're driving. As a paramedic, I have seen first hand the devastation caused by well-meaning parents who did the same thing. Please, Please, Please!!!! I would suggest, instead, that you budget in several stops along the way, at rest stops or maybe a small town with a play ground and let your son blow off some steam that way. Also, try leaving at night, about an hour before his bedtime, put him in his pj's in the car seat and let him go to sleep in the car. Please, M., do NOT let him out of his car seat while you're driving!! Don't take the risk. If he can "get out" of his car seat, try putting the chest buckel up high and putting a safety pin underneath it. Tell him that the pin will hurt if he tries to undo it. Worked for my niece. I wish you all the luck in the world keeping your sanity with a hyper son on a long trip. I'll pray that your trip is a blinding success.

Don't take him out of the car seat if the car is moving! That would be dangerous and illegal!

I sympathize with you -- I had one that would have a fit if he wanted out of his car seat. We ended up not taking long car trips for a while. Either we flew or we just didn't go. But if you have no alternative, equip yourself with ear plugs, give him plenty of toys to occupy himself with and try to tune him out. You just can't take him out of the car seat!

DVD player for the car, kid friendly movies like Barney, and snacks help. Also if you leave really early or later in the evening he might nap. Hope that helps a bit.

First off... you should NEVER have a child out of their car seat while driving! It is dangerous and you are tempting fate and risking your child's life!! You can get toys, books, and many other things to entertain a child while driving. If you have someon else trasveling with you have them sit in the back with him as well. Also, plan to stop every hundred miles or so. That gives both of you a break. It will make the trip longer but it will help making things go much smoother. Now, this next statement will probably make some people flip out but OH WELL!!
If Benadryl and other such products have a reverse affect then try this prior to your trip to see if it works. Give him caffeine, just a little bit if coffee of very strong tea but with minimal sugar. My now 26 year old son was the same way and we discovered coffee, or high caffeine drinks, had a reverse affect. Instead of keeping him hyped up it would relax him and he would sleep.
I wish you luck on your trip and hope you find something that works!

I'm sure you know that it is against the law for him to not be in a car seat while you are driving. So my advice to you would be to stock up on some good toys for travel -- magnetic play sets, a new coloring book, etc., some fun music to listen to, some snacks, and plan to take several breaks. Good luck!

You can get melatonin from GNC it is totally safe for kids. Get the 1 MG chewable tablets, they taste like cherry. He will be out in 10 mins!! I had some friends that were told by there doctor to get them to help there 3 year old sleep! Only give him 1 and not all the time, just if he gets crazy in the car and you want him to sleep!!

Definitely plan for some entertainment in the car such as his favority small toys, DVD's, and children's CD's. Pack snacks, plenty to drink, maybe a small pillow and blanket. I would also plan to stop every 2 to 3 hours to stretch and take a break. I normally try to leave for a road trip a one or two hours before our normal nap time, that way my 2 year old takes a nap mid-trip. If you need to take him out of the
carseat at any time, you should stop and take a break. It's just not safe to drive with him not in the proper seat. Hope
this helps. Have fun!

I agree with Ariana. My husband and I took our 2 girls (2 and 5) on a road trip to Colorado (about 14 hours). We got them ready for bed and left around their bedtime. They slept the entire trip. They did so well, in fact, that we were able to avoid stopping midway through, like we had planned and we had an extra day of vacation!!! Do not take your child out of the car seat. If he is getting restless, take a pit stop. Go have a meal or stop at a rest stop. Don't worry, you should be fine.

M.,

I have been taking my daughter on long trips (over 10 hours) since she was very young. Most times without my husband. When she was your son's age, I made sure that she was entertained. We had a portable DVD player and I let her pick out a few new movies at the store. This made her very excited about taking the trip. I also stocked up on books and coloring stuff, snacks, and anything else that might have interested her at that time. I never let her out of the seat unless we were stopping for a potty break and when we were in any store, I would let her pick out a "special" snack that she could only have once she was back in her seat and buckled. Lastly, I made sure that she had her favorite blanky because the movement of the car would make her sleepy. Any questions...let me know. Good luck!

Someone mentioned triptafan in turkey - add a sippy cup of milk to go with his turkey and he'll really get sleepy!

Just wondering if you've tried decongestants with him. They say that for some children they do the opposite effect (makes them sleepy, instead of making most people hyper). Maybe if antihistamines (which normally make you sleepy) make him hyper, the decons may tire him.
Not that I'm into drugging up kids, but I think it's kinda the thing they do with some hyper kids to calm them. Like the other poster said of Dramamine... try the meds sometime before your trip to see how his body reacts. I know they have decons for small ones (I have a small bottle in my airtrip bag- good for the little ears), but you may have to get it from the pharmacist (not a prescription, but you have to sign for it).

My favorite suggestion was driving at night, but if you're by yourself, I would say that it's not really safe if you can't trade off with someone. Have anyone that could drive with you- take your trip with you? A friend?

Oh, and you should really be careful about who you tell that your son doesn't stay in his carseat. That can definitely get you in trouble by the law. As for his safety, well, it only takes one time for a bad driver to not pay attention and run into you and your child is no longer with us if he's not buckled safely in his seat. What would you do without him??

Any way you can drive at night time, so he will be asleep while you drive? It's not safe to take him out of the carseat - no matter what. Have you checked with his doctor to see if there is something else you can give him that will not make him hyper, but calm enough to stay? Also, this might just be a battle of the wills - be strong!
M. alice

Do Not take him out of the car restraints! In the event of an accident you could be charged with manslaughter if he were killed. It's that important!
Is it possible to travel at night when he normally is sleeping? That works for us and we have 4 children.
I want to commend you for being a concerned single mom. That is a hard road for anyone.
Instead of drugs, try giving him tukey before the trip. The triptafan in the turkey meat (naturally present ) will make him sleepy, and traveling at night can be an adventure to wake in a new place. God bless you and your son!

You should ABSOLUTELY NOT take him out of the car seat to play while driving! If you happened to get into a wreck at that time, you would hate yourself forever for allowing him to be in danger and possibly killed. You have to set the expectations and be the mom, the one in charge. Bring toys, bring snacks, stop every so often to let him get out and play. Get a portable DVD player and let him watch a movie. Sing to him, engange him. Have you thought about driving at night while he's sleeping so that you'll have less problems with him wanting to be out?

I don't want to come down on you, but when someone says their child won't stay in the car seat, how they even know there is an option? If children are put in car seats from birth, everytime they are in the car, without exception, they should get used to it because they know no other way.

Final thought, is his seat comfortable? Maybe he doesn't like to be in the seat becuase he's uncomfortable. Maybe consider getting him a seat and letting him help pick it out. Or add a pillow to the back or underside if that is why he doesn't like it.

Hi M.,

My family and I have been driving to Florida every year since my boys were newborns (12 hours). Although it's challenging and they get really tired of sitting in the car seat, after this past year I would definitely not take him out at all. On our way back a drunk driver ended up on the wrong side of the interstate and hit our family's caravan (4 cars total). If the children had not been in their seats and the mother who had just been climbing back and forth to deal with the kids had not just put her seat belt on they would be gone. We stop frequently, watch movies, read books, use dry erase boards, snacks etc. I know it's a pain, but after this close encounter I would definitely rather him be unhappy for a few hours than in danger out of his seat. Hope this helps.

Do not take him out of his carseat. No. You need to make plans to stop every couple of hours. You need to borrow or rent a dvd player. It really works wonders. Keep snacks handy. I always pick up dollar store toys and save them for surprises in the car. Let him help you set up the car and be involved. I always try to leave at a time were they can still sleep. Like at 3:00 am or something. I can make a lot of time those first few hours and then i'm ready to stop too. He will probably do better than you think. Good luck!

Keep your son safe in the car seat! Go to bed early the night before you leave and leave your house at about 4am. Your son should sleep the first 3 hours at least. Keep driving until he is awake an hour then stop to eat at a rest stop where he can run around. Put the DVD player on, drive a little, stop and play. Go to target and find any and every car toy imaginable that you think your son can understand. Car bingo, etc.... get him to look at cows, trees, horses, houses, trucks, etc... Make it a game and get excited when he finds one. Stop frequently if you have to, but keep that baby in his seat when you are driving. If he screams, be gentle and sympathetic, but don't budge!

Frequent stops and lots of activities such as a travel doodle pro, coloring books, etc. I wouldn't rely on sedatives. I would not let him out of the carseat under any circumstances while the vehicle is in motion.

Hi M.. We just got back from a 9-hour-each way car trip with my 16 mo old, who is ACTIVE ACTIVE, so I understand your worry. As others have said, DO NOT let him out of the seat while the car is moving. But here are some tips that helped us:
1) We were on a tight budget, and don't have a DVD player (nor, quite honestly, will my DD sit still to watch a DVD, even at home). I went to "once upon a child" and dollar general and for about $10-15 combined got a whole bag of little NEW toys and books for her. Like someone else said, go for things that make noise--they'll be annoying for you, but it's better than a screaming kid! Look at the clearance racks and you can get stuff for 50 cents or a buck. The dollar store is good, too. Hand them back one at a time at moments when you just can't take the fussing any more. This got us through the first day.
2) As others have said, try to time your drives around naps and night sleeping. Honestly, when DD was awake, we stopped every 1 to 1 1/2 hours. A 9 hour drive took us more like 14. We stopped at picnic areas where she could run around and get her wiggles out. This also helped tire her out, so she'd nap longer.
3) Plenty of snacks, but NOT super sugarry ones, since that will make him more hyper!
4) Bring kids CD's you can sing along with. That'll be good for like 20 minutes at a stretch!
5) Just accept that it will be difficult and tiring for both of you, but you'll survive (as long as you're buckled up!!!!). It'll be a long, tough day, but it's just one long, tough day. You'll be fine!

Try Rescue Remedy in his water, or Camilia (used for teething, but a homeopathic to calm as well) - Both can be found at Sprouts or Whole Foods.

Like one person said, tire him out al l day long so he will be very tired for bedtime, and then leave an hour before his bedtime w/ him in his p.j's. Or, go to bed very early (like when your son does), and get up at 3 a.m. and start driving. You should have at least 3.5 hours of uninterrupted driving time before he wakes up in the morning. And just like most people said, keep him in his carseat!! Good luck.

Please, please listen to JeCookie and Janna's advice! I don't need to repeat their wisdom - just read their posts again. I will say this, My family has driven from Texas to Florida to North Carolina and back again, going 12 - 14 hrs. at a time. At the time, I had 5 kids (which included an active 2 y.o. and a baby)

What we did when we drove to SC is try to drive most of the trip at night so they sleep. We did this with a 4 month ols and a 2 year old. If you have to drive during the day, when you stop for potty breaks, try to do it at a rest area with a picnik area and bring a ball. let him run around and play ball with him for a few minutes. Also bring a bucket or laundry basket that can sit on the seat next to him and fill it with toys. He can reach them and will play. With the 2 year old we used his rolling backpack and filled it with toys, he could use the handle to pull it off the floor if it drops standing up. I would also bring kids music to listen to, or a portable DVD player that could sit on the seat next to him.

OK, first line of defense is the chewable dramamine!! Hard to find at times, but it is a lifesaver...even for my kids who react poorly to benadryl as well!! My 2 yr old son gets about 1/3 of a chewable dramamine. I also agree with leaving bery early in the morning. He may not fall back to sleep immediately, but he will sleep within about an hour or so. DVD's can also save you here, as well as the dollar store. Wrap up the toys like presents, and put them where he can see them, then every 30 min that he is good, he gets a new toy! And, find McDonalds with a playplace. normally my hubby and I eat at the restaurant while the kids play, and then get their food to go, so they eat in the car. As far as getting him out of the car, the quick answer to that is NO!! NEVER!! He cant think that is a possibilty. What you may have to do, is stop more frequently for a 10 min. break...even every hour if you have to. Have fun snacks as well, but steer clear of too much chocolate..very messy for a 2 yr old boy. Twizzlers and suckers are our favs. Try a magna doodle for sure, maybe some magic markers, books with flaps are pretty fun too. My 2 year old is WAY in to Barney right now, so that would sve us for sure. Just remeber to bring your patience along with you! Good luck ~A.~

Hello. I do not recommend any medications to help you, nor do I think you should take him out of his seat, that could be very dangerous. Just last year my husband & I traveled from CT to FL which is a 19 hrs drive with our 2 yrs old. We have a usual night routine for her which is a bath, jammies,read a book & then to bed. We followed that exact same routine but instead of putting her in her bed we left to FL right before bedtime. Because she was clean & comfy in her jammies she slept through the night. In the morning we stopped for breakfast at a regular fast food place with a playground and let her play for about 45min. When we got back in the car I kept her intertained with a portable DVD player, some of her favorite toys & snacks. Within an 1hr she was back asleep. This really worked for us...I hope it helps you.

We just made a trip to canada driving. We spent 10-11 hours in the car each day. The DVD player we had ended up not working. The best advice I can give you for a trip that long is leave extra early so you have more time on the road than you need to get there. Stop 2-3 times while you are driving and give him a chance to get out and run. Maybe plan to stop for lunch or something and stop at a rest stop a different time and just let him have 15-20 minutes of playing/running. If you can drive during a sleeping period of his, that's even better. Of course, have toys or whatever for him to play with to. If you don't have tinted windows, encourage him to wave a 18-wheelers whenever you pass one on his side (make sure he's on the passenger side so he can have a chance of being seen). My kids LOVE to do that, and sometimes they honk at us which makes them quite excited. There are CDs with kids songs on them that help entertain. Whatever you do, DON'T count on the DVD player to entertain him. It's great if it will, but they don't always work. Also, get a little mirror attachment so you can see him easily in the back without looking behind you. My kids love it when I suprise them every so often by looking at them in the mirror and making a funny face at them. I also play peek-a-boo that way with them. I can still focus on the road, but help entertain them that way.

Also, if he's an escape artist (my son was at that age) what I did with him, was pull over, get him back in his seat and tell him that if he did it again I would tighten his seat straps. Then, if he got out again I would tighten them (pull over and get him back in first). If he behaved well for a while after that, I might loosen them up a little bit again, but not as much as they were before. I found that when he escaped, it was usually because his straps weren't as tight as they should be.

Try making part of the trip fall during the time that he will be sleeping. You might be a little tired when you get there, but you don't have to worry about keeping him entertained- it cuts out bathroom breaks to. When I travel with my kiddos during waking hours, I make sure to stop every couple hours to let them get out and move around. It takes you a bit longer, but a ten minute moving around breaks works wonders. If you don't have a portable DVD player, see if you know someone who has one that you can borrow. Color books, crayons, toys, snacks work wonders. If you can, try to get one or two new toys or color books that he has never seen before- they will keep him entertained for longer than old toys. Bring favorite blankets or loved items that he cannot live without. Extra packing, I know, but again- life savers on long trips.

Whatever you do, DON'T let him roam around the back seat. As hard as it might seem for him, his safety is still #1 priority. Accidents can happen just as easily away from home as near home, and having him roam free will distract you more, making accidents more likely. Click it or Ticket applies to children and child restraint laws, and I imagine the fine on having an unrestrained child would be more costly than if you neglected to wear your belt and got caught.

Good Luck, and be safe!!

I say NO WAY! Safety first! 2nd, it's illegal and then 3rd you are setting yourself up for him to run your life and to think he is boss. When my boys were little and we traveled I would go and buy several new books and little toys and every 30 minutes or so I'd give them something brand new to play with. Also, I had CD's and we'd sing songs(I had no tv or dvd player.) In this case, I would pull over if he unbuckles to rebuckle him and I'd take something away each time he did it. This trip may be a long one, but if you stay firm you will set yourself up for easier trips in the future. Keep your baby safe!

Hi. We have been making a 12 hour drive since our kids were babies, they are now 3 & 4 yrs old. We got a portable DVD player that they watch. They take a few special toys in their seats with them to play with. Also, we stop every 3 hrs or so at a Wal-mart for potty break. That way we can also walk around the store a little to stretch their legs. When we eat, we eat at a McDonald's or Chick-fil-a so they can play a little before getting back into the car. We have never given them any medicine to make them sleep.

We took my 2 year old on a longer trip than that and survived! We have a dvd player with LOTS of videos. I always bring some toys and coloring books too. I bought a tray from One Step Ahead, so he can have toys on it and snacks. Also, pack some "surprise" toys. I go to the dollar store and stock up. I pull a new toy out every hour or so. Helps break up the trip. You will need to stop lots to let him get out and run around too.
We will sometimes get him out of his seat in the car, but that is very dangerous. You do what you can!

I would absolutely not take him out of his seat! On a family vacation 2 years ago, we hit black ice and flipped our jeep. 15 minutes prior my husband was out of his seatbelt to fix the DVD. Thankfully we were all ok. Just bruised, scared and out of a car. You never know what can happen.
When we car trip with the little ones, we leave right after lunch for nap time, have about an hour after they wake up, stop for dinner, let them play and run, then change them into pajama's and get back in and we drive as far as possible until we stop to sleep. In the morning I would get back on the road very early so I could drive as far as possible while the kids sleep.
We've done it this way for 3 very long car trips (12-14 hours) with the kids ages ranging from 1 1/2 to 5. Breaking up the trip and driving while they sleep worked really well.
Portable DVD players are fairly inexpensive and work like a charm as well.
Good luck!
N. G

Nothing messy, first of all- no crayons, markers, stickers, etc. Do you or anyone you know have a portable DVD player? It is great to change the pace for 30 minutes to an hour, depending on his attention span. One neat thing is to wrap toys- McD's, dinosaurs, cards...anything he might like. The dollar store is a good place to find inexpensive toys. Just take some tissue paper and wrap them. Nothing too fancy. (Bring a bag for trash to keep it neat.) Every once in a while bring out a travel 'surprise'! It will make the journey enjoyable. What kid doesn't love a new toy. Be sure to keep the toys simple and car/travel friendly. Play games- great time to introduce/practice colors..."Let's find all of the blue cars...now red cars..." Sing songs. Make up silly rhymes, songs, stories. Go to the public library and check out kids books on tape/CD! If he's good with books let him look through it and turn the pages. If not, he can just listen while playing with his new dinosaurs! Another idea, have a 'theme' for the trip- what does he love? Have the songs, books, toy gifts revolve around that theme! Lastly, get out of the car to eat and just to let him run around and play at a fast food playground! It's important to make a 5-10 minute stop every two to three hours. For your sanity and his! My prayers are with you as you travel alone with a two year old, M..

ABSOLUTELY DO NOT LET HIM OUT OF HIS SEAT!!!! This is NOT an option...If you have to stop at a gas station or whatever to let him run around, do so!

My daughter bought her son a little tray, (I think it can be strapped on), and this let him have a surface for coloring, playing, reading books, etc. Just keep him a stack of things he can reach right beside him. She also bought one of those grabber things, so she can reach his blankie, sippie cup, etc, if he drops something.

I worry about you leaving when it is his bedtime,,,it sounds as though you will be travelling by yourself. I would hate to think of you getting sleepy and falling asleep. If you are travelling with someone this is the perfect solution. Getting up early sounds like a better solution to me. Best of luck!! Be careful out there!! I'll keep you in my prayers!!

I had the same problem when my daughter was young. We would leave at midnight, by the time she woke up it was time to stop for breakfast let her walk around for a while and we were almost to our destination. Do not take him out of the car seat, it's dangerous and he'll expect it all the time. Good luck!

what do you mean he won't stay in his carseat? he unbuckles it and gets out??? you are BEGGING for trouble and possibly criminal charges(child negligence) if you were to have an accident and he wasn't properly restrained, car seats are NOT optional at that age. i don't know what to tell you, i have 2 active little boys and they know they have to stay in their seat. have you tried dramamine? i would try it BEFORE the trip to see his reaction to it. stop halfway at a fast food place with a playground and let him run.

We just got back from a road trip to Colorado (over 2000 miles) and turned around the next day and I drove to San Antonio with my 2-year old daughter. Movies, movies, movies helped a lot. I also had lots of books and toys within my reach that I could give to her to play with while we drove. It also helped to have snacks for her and her favorite treat (Dum Dum suckers). It did help to stop at least once every couple of hours and let her get out and stretch her legs for 15 or 20 minutes. Even if she did get frustrated and cried for a while, it didn't last very long. I wasn't real big on getting her out of her car seat while I was driving to play in the back of the truck just because of the safety factor/against the law factor. I hope you have a great trip!

Do not take him out of the seat...you would never forgive yourself if something did happen. Many DVD's (get some without ads...drives me crazy when you pay for a DVD, Dora Explorer for example, only to have 10 minutes of commercials for other DVDs to buy); a bag of a bunch of different little toys (like the "under 3 toys" at McDonalds); just plan on adding about 2 hours to your trip for all the inevitable pit stops. Or take a dog with you...if possible. I'm sure that would help hold your baby's interest! Good luck.

Hi M.,

Absolutely do not take him out of the car seat in a moving car! I know someone who allowed her 10-yr-old twins to unbuckle their seat belts just for a moment on a long car trip. As fate would have it, the next moment, they were hit head on, both girls were ejected from the car and died on the highway. I hate to be so graphic, but the seat belt/car seat issue should be non-negotiable.

Can you plan your car trip around nap time or bed time so your son is likely to fall asleep for a large portion of it? If you don't have a DVD player, can you borrow, buy or rent one? How about toys and books to keep him occupied? Maybe weigh the cost of flying vs. driving? If it will be impossible to keep him in his seat, I would recommnend postponing the trip until he's a bit older.

Blessings,

M.
"My son eats all his veggies now. Even the green ones!"
Visit my Mamasource profile to see how we did it

M.,

A few things that work with my boy. Is the DVD player continuiously running. If you don't have one, get one. I know Target has them on sale right now --- it is a seasonal item. He loves the baby Noah, and any of the Nickelodeon DVDs with 5 different shows. I think you can get them at SAM's. Also, believe is or not smooth Jazz or classical music works as well as sing along cd's. He also loves magazines. Any that you are throwing out. National Geographic is thick and small, for little hands. I also sing with him, row your boat and such. We just did 7 hours and he did great. There moments of fussiness, but it was never unbearable. I also, let him snack all he wants in the car.

I would never, never, never take him out of his car seat. My best friends niece was in a similar situation and they rolled the SUV. ANd the 2 year old walked away with out a scratch. You never know what might happen. Keep your baby safe, his saftey is your job.

Goodluck with your travels!!!

F.

My daughter is also a Houdini when it comes to her carseat. This is what worked with her. From now on whenever you are going anywhere, if he gets out of the carseat stop the car. Be calm and firm when you get out and put him right back in. Look him in the eyes and tell him he must stay in the carseat for his safety. Then continue with your errands. You have to be consistant, even if it only takes 5 min to get to the grocery store stop as soon as he gets out of his carseat. This really worked with my wild one. It applies to all bad behavior.
As for your trip, go at bedtime so he'll sleep through the whole thing. Portable DVD players are great, too and lots of snacks. I think we forget to talk to our children when they are in the backseat. Perhaps he just wants to talk to you when he gets out of his carseat. My daughter likes singing. I don't feel that it is ok to give children benedryl unless your doctor says it is ok.