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6hr car journey alone with 1yo and 4yo: help!!!
npsmama
Posts: 1,277 Forumite
Through some misfortunate circumstances I am going to have to drive 6hrs on my own with my 1yo and my 4yo.
Both get difficult after 45min in the car.
I've tried snacks, games, songs, stopping often etc but nothing seems to really help.
Up until now I have feriously resisted buying a dvd player for the car...but would it really make that 6hr journey significantly easier? If so I think I might be a wimp and buy one.
I'm breaking the journey up by travelling 3hrs and then staying overnight somewhere and doing the rest of the journey the next day.
Does anyone have any suggestions pls?
Both get difficult after 45min in the car.
I've tried snacks, games, songs, stopping often etc but nothing seems to really help.
Up until now I have feriously resisted buying a dvd player for the car...but would it really make that 6hr journey significantly easier? If so I think I might be a wimp and buy one.
I'm breaking the journey up by travelling 3hrs and then staying overnight somewhere and doing the rest of the journey the next day.
Does anyone have any suggestions pls?
"Finish each day And be done with it.
You have done what you could.
Some blunders and Absurdities have crept in.
Forget them as soon as you can."
You have done what you could.
Some blunders and Absurdities have crept in.
Forget them as soon as you can."
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Comments
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Can you drive through the night? If you get them exhausted in the day, good meal, bath and pjs nd then bed. Get the car loaded and then put them in and drive while they're sleeping?"This is a forum - not a support group. We do not "owe" anyone unconditional acceptance of their opinions."0
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Audio stories on CD maybe?
Otherwise night driving0 -
i dont personally have a dvd player for the car but my friend has and thinks its great, my 2 were silent for the 40min drive we had with them once and thats unusual for them !!
mishkaBow Ties ARE cool :cool:"Just because you are offended, doesnt mean you are right" Ricky Gervais
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DVD player we had in a hire car - though it was a great idea since we were driving across Canada, so bought a DVD - at the first 'comfort' stop after watching just half the DVD she was panting in the back of the car as soon as it stopped - she was trying to stop herself being sick, poor thing, turns out the DVD player had caused motion sickness - much better to look out the window or be asleep.
you don't want to be in a car smelling of puke for the next 5 hours of the j ourney, do you?
Is there any way you could take the train instead? Or fly?
I think the overnight stop is a good idea, but it would cost about £50 to £70 for Travelodge if it's last minute.Might be cheaper to fly, the one year old would go free on a lap.
Do you have anyone who could look after the kids while you went on your own, if they don't need to be there?
Snacks are sometimes the worst thing for kids on long journeys - it fuels them up for their next round of messing about!
'I spy' is a good game for the 4 year old you can do while driving but not great for the one year old..... foods like cornflakes and bananas will increase their serotonin levels and encourage them to get some sleep. It is dark at 8:30 now - could you take a flask of coffee with you and take a little nap half way through for yourself while they sleep? Set the alarm on your mobile to wake you up, though! Drink the coffee, have 20 minute nap, then when you wake ther coffee will have kicked in and help you stay awake.
It does depend on whether the place your going to will be open at 2:30 in the morning though!Member of the first Mortgage Free in 3 challenge, no.19
Balance 19th April '07 = minus £27,640
Balance 1st November '09 = mortgage paid off with £1903 left over. Title deeds are now ours.0 -
Drugs!:D
(joke, by the way!)[0 -
haha, medised ain't what it used to be!!:p
I do know parents who used to swear by medised for it's drowsiness side effect when they were travelling, but when our DD had it for being not well it didn't make her sleepy at all, so it was never an option.
I don't think it is available like that any more.Member of the first Mortgage Free in 3 challenge, no.19
Balance 19th April '07 = minus £27,640
Balance 1st November '09 = mortgage paid off with £1903 left over. Title deeds are now ours.0 -
When we were young we were never told we were going on holiday. It was a 12 hour drive. Instead we were packed off to bed as usual, then they'd pack up the car and gently carry us from our bed to the car with minimum fuss - and we slept for the whole journey.0
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its easier for you to get them to slepp while you drive but perhaps now is a good age to teach them how to entertain themselves on car journeys ?Bow Ties ARE cool :cool:"Just because you are offended, doesnt mean you are right" Ricky Gervais0
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My son used to look out of the window and sleep on long journeys. Reading and such like tend to make people sick. Even as a one year old, I would point things out to him that might be interesting and at two years old when he was talking, he pointed out every clock and watch he saw to us, so the older child could be asked to look out for interesting things.
These days looking for amusing or apt number plates is a fun pastime in the car. I was shocked the other day when one said PEN 15 on a BMW but it was apt:D An average day in my life:hello: :eek::mad: :coffee::coffee::coffee::T :rotfl: :rotfl: 
:eek::mad: :beer:
I am no expert in property but have lived in many types of homes, in many locations and can only talk from experience.0 -
We've got a DVD player in the car and it works wonders - keeps our two quiet and stops them fighting (nothing short of a miracle)
We did a 5 hour journey with it, and wouldn't be without it now0
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