LONG road trip and small kids

[nicolewi]

I may have posted something like this 2 years ago on TB, when we had three kids ages 5, 3, and 1! We are again debating driving down to FL for spring break. DH's parents go for a few months each winter. They have a rental condo that is open this year and that they are probably selling. So, we have a free place to stay but maybe just for this year. My kids are just turned 7, 5, 3 and 1. It's the one year old I'm really worried about, stuck in the seat for so long with nothing to do. It's almost a 24 hour drive. 

Would you try it? How would you break it up? We don't want to drive all night, as I am a HORRIBLE tired driver so DH would have to do all of it and I don't feel like that's safe or necessary. I thought about getting up and leaving like 4 am or so. 

The big kids can watch DVDs or do books on tape or whatever, but the baby is still rear-facing and just sort-of stuck in there. 

Also, I get antsy in a four hour trip.

I'd love to do it b/c it would be fun for the kids to be in FL for Easter and see Grandma and Grandpa. We haven't been since DD1 was 3, and we flew then. Can't fly b/c w/ four kids it's just too expensive, and we'd need a minivan and car seats when we arrived anyway. Can't squeeze into Grandma and Grandpa's cars anymore.

[lexus]

I am doing a 24 hour trip this summer with dd (4) and an infant. I won't be driving (we are going with my parents in a motorhome) but I hope it's at night too. Can one of your big kids sit next to the baby? Maybe your oldest can occasionally read to the baby or at least hand the baby toys and things to look at.

[nicolewi]

So are you just driving straight through in the motorhome? I was definitely going to break our trip into at least 2 parts but maybe even 3 parts.

[Kcthepouchh8r]

I would only if I could take two weeks off. I wouldn't want to drive more than 8-10 hours a day and if I'm spending 5 days getting there and back I would want a week to be on vacation. I would try to map fun outings into the trip, like get up at 6am, drive 4-5 hours, stop somewhere fun for a few hours/lunch, drive another 4 hours, do dinner/stay somewhere for the night.

[gastro]

I wouldn't. My kids can do about three hours and then nothing appeases them in the car.

[lexus]

Jan 24, 2016 10:46:43 GMT -5 nicolewi said:

So are you just driving straight through in the motorhome? I was definitely going to break our trip into at least 2 parts but maybe even 3 parts.

I think the plan is to break into two days which should be fine with the two of them driving. They have visions of dd playing at the table... She will be in her car seat. I'm thinking I need a tray of some sort for her to color and do activities on. Maybe we could even play go fish or uno with that. I like KC's idea of saving the movies for last. We will be bringing an IPad with us. My friend sells 31 bags and has a set up that she uses to hold all the kids stuff. It's some kind of toiletry bag and their tablets fit in one of the pockets. She fills the other pockets with crayons, stickers, small toys, etc. then it hangs from the seat in front of them.

[auroraloo]

We drove 16 hours in 2 days with a 10 month old. I just sat where I could entertain him and since he was still at 2 naps/day, we strategically planned lunches and stops. We brought a picnic blanket and stopped at rest stops a lot.

[jnksmom]

I would do it but my kids do well in the car as they have traveled a lot since they were babies. We lived away from family for several years and traveled back a lot. They do better than I do.
I would take lots of movies(get a few new ones if possible), small toys, games, snacks, coloring or whatever else your kids love. I would also plan stops at parks or rest areas where they kids can run/play for a little break.

[Deleted]

I probably wouldn't, but my DD hates the car and has scared me off driving longer than 30 minutes!

24 hours sounds rough, especially if you're only staying a week. Would it be possible for you and the baby to fly and meet them?

When we just had DS, we moved and it's about a 20-hour drive. DH drove and DS and I flew to meet him. I just couldn't hack that long a drive with a baby.

[chatterbox]

I don't think I would unless it was going to be a long vacation and you were stopping to do fun stuff along the way. I probably wouldn't want to drive more than 5-6 hours per day and that would have to be broken up into at least two stretches.

[lala]

If it was drive or don't go, I'd drive and make it work. How long will you have? I'd probably aim to do it in 2 days maybe 3 if it was leave one day at 4, drive 6 hours. Day 2 would be a big day w/ a good 12 hours, then up and out early the next day so you can get to the destination by lunch/early afternoon.

When we do longer road trips, I have no interest in stopping and visiting places for several hours in the middle of the drive. The goal is to get it done quickly. I would time the driving strategically, pack lots of good car activities & snacks and go for it. Arrange the car so that the older kid can sit next to the baby to help pass things. I just bring tons of toys and go through them.

We regularly do a 6-7 hour drive and only stop once. With a nursing infant, twice. We stop at rest stops where they can run around for a bit after eating.

Have you checked all options for flying to make sure it's out of your price range? I've seen all kinds of deals lately w/ southwest. Take your car seats and rent a van w/ priceline and it's not bad.

[lala]

Jan 24, 2016 11:00:44 GMT -5 lexus said:

Jan 24, 2016 10:46:43 GMT -5 nicolewi said:

So are you just driving straight through in the motorhome? I was definitely going to break our trip into at least 2 parts but maybe even 3 parts.

I think the plan is to break into two days which should be fine with the two of them driving. They have visions of dd playing at the table... She will be in her car seat. I'm thinking I need a tray of some sort for her to color and do activities on. Maybe we could even play go fish or uno with that. I like KC's idea of saving the movies for last. We will be bringing an IPad with us. My friend sells 31 bags and has a set up that she uses to hold all the kids stuff. It's some kind of toiletry bag and their tablets fit in one of the pockets. She fills the other pockets with crayons, stickers, small toys, etc. then it hangs from the seat in front of them.

Where are you guys sitting? In the car towing it? I thought you couldn't put car seats in a motorhome? I know my sister has a trailer and they all ride in a truck towing it but won't get a motor home for this reason. 

[NandaB]

Jan 24, 2016 13:42:43 GMT -5 lala said:

Jan 24, 2016 11:00:44 GMT -5 lexus said:

I think the plan is to break into two days which should be fine with the two of them driving. They have visions of dd playing at the table... She will be in her car seat. I'm thinking I need a tray of some sort for her to color and do activities on. Maybe we could even play go fish or uno with that. I like KC's idea of saving the movies for last. We will be bringing an IPad with us. My friend sells 31 bags and has a set up that she uses to hold all the kids stuff. It's some kind of toiletry bag and their tablets fit in one of the pockets. She fills the other pockets with crayons, stickers, small toys, etc. then it hangs from the seat in front of them.

Where are you guys sitting? In the car towing it? I thought you couldn't put car seats in a motorhome? I know my sister has a trailer and they all ride in a truck towing it but won't get a motor home for this reason. 

The car seat people will tell you that there are no safety regs for seatbelts in motorhomes and that taking your children in one is tantamount to strapping them to the roof rack.

I dont actually know because I haven't researched though

[lexus]

Jan 24, 2016 13:42:43 GMT -5 lala said:

Jan 24, 2016 11:00:44 GMT -5 lexus said:

I think the plan is to break into two days which should be fine with the two of them driving. They have visions of dd playing at the table... She will be in her car seat. I'm thinking I need a tray of some sort for her to color and do activities on. Maybe we could even play go fish or uno with that. I like KC's idea of saving the movies for last. We will be bringing an IPad with us. My friend sells 31 bags and has a set up that she uses to hold all the kids stuff. It's some kind of toiletry bag and their tablets fit in one of the pockets. She fills the other pockets with crayons, stickers, small toys, etc. then it hangs from the seat in front of them.

Where are you guys sitting? In the car towing it? I thought you couldn't put car seats in a motorhome? I know my sister has a trailer and they all ride in a truck towing it but won't get a motor home for this reason. 

Oh no! Why wouldn't you be able to put a car seat in a motorhome? There are seat belts.

[usm]

Jan 24, 2016 13:42:43 GMT -5 lala said:

Jan 24, 2016 11:00:44 GMT -5 lexus said:

I think the plan is to break into two days which should be fine with the two of them driving. They have visions of dd playing at the table... She will be in her car seat. I'm thinking I need a tray of some sort for her to color and do activities on. Maybe we could even play go fish or uno with that. I like KC's idea of saving the movies for last. We will be bringing an IPad with us. My friend sells 31 bags and has a set up that she uses to hold all the kids stuff. It's some kind of toiletry bag and their tablets fit in one of the pockets. She fills the other pockets with crayons, stickers, small toys, etc. then it hangs from the seat in front of them.

Where are you guys sitting? In the car towing it? I thought you couldn't put car seats in a motorhome? I know my sister has a trailer and they all ride in a truck towing it but won't get a motor home for this reason. 

Not Lexus but I'm assuming it's one you drive? We looked at renting one when we did our 17 hrs each way in August. It had seatbelts on the "couch" and you could walk back from the passenger seat.

[lexus]

Jan 24, 2016 16:36:44 GMT -5 NandaB said:

Jan 24, 2016 13:42:43 GMT -5 lala said:

Where are you guys sitting? In the car towing it? I thought you couldn't put car seats in a motorhome? I know my sister has a trailer and they all ride in a truck towing it but won't get a motor home for this reason. 

The car seat people will tell you that there are no safety regs for seatbelts in motorhomes and that taking your children in one is tantamount to strapping them to the roof rack.

I dont actually know because I haven't researched though

Well, crap. We are going to my cousin's wedding in Idaho this summer, like two months after I have this baby. DH will probably not have any time off left (cause of the baby) so when my parents offered to borrow my grandparents' motorhome and carpool it sounded like a great idea. It's a 24 hour drive and doing alone with a five year old and baby sounds almost as bad as flying alone with two the same age.

ETA: filter my potty mouth

[nicolewi]

It's at least $400 pp to fly, minimum, which would be at least $2,000. That's only on Southwest, with limited times/dates. Most fares are at least $600 pp. That's before car rental, so it would be super expensive.

Ugh, I don't know. We would have more than a week. DD1 is off Thursday through the entire next week. We would maybe pull her out of school an additional day. So we could leave very early Weds. or something like that. I'll keep thinking about it. If it were like 16 hours, that would better. I'm going to try to figure out how it would work if we did two overnights on the way down.

[NandaB]

Jan 24, 2016 16:52:37 GMT -5 lexus said:

Jan 24, 2016 16:36:44 GMT -5 NandaB said:

The car seat people will tell you that there are no safety regs for seatbelts in motorhomes and that taking your children in one is tantamount to strapping them to the roof rack.

I dont actually know because I haven't researched though

Well, crap. We are going to my cousin's wedding in Idaho this summer, like two months after I have this baby. DH will probably not have any time off left (cause of the baby) so when my parents offered to borrow my grandparents' motorhome and carpool it sounded like a great idea. It's a 24 hour drive and doing alone with a five year old and baby sounds almost as bad as flying alone with two the same age.

ETA: filter my potty mouth

Fwiw I would be comfortable using the seatbelts on a FWD facing seat after checking that the seatbelts were bolted to something secure looking (like the metal seat frame for example). I dont think I would put them sideways though. For some reason that seems more dangerous because seats are designed to use forward or rear facing only.

[lexus]

Jan 24, 2016 17:43:56 GMT -5 NandaB said:

Jan 24, 2016 16:52:37 GMT -5 lexus said:

Well, crap. We are going to my cousin's wedding in Idaho this summer, like two months after I have this baby. DH will probably not have any time off left (cause of the baby) so when my parents offered to borrow my grandparents' motorhome and carpool it sounded like a great idea. It's a 24 hour drive and doing alone with a five year old and baby sounds almost as bad as flying alone with two the same age.

ETA: filter my potty mouth

Fwiw I would be comfortable using the seatbelts on a FWD facing seat after checking that the seatbelts were bolted to something secure looking (like the metal seat frame for example). I dont think I would put them sideways though. For some reason that seems more dangerous because seats are designed to use forward or rear facing only.

My mom was saying that she is pretty sure that the seat belts in the dinette are bolted to the chaise (sp). If that's the case, I would be fine with securing them there. But she just said part of the point taking the motorhome is so I can nurse without us needing to pull over. I am not comfortable with that.

[NandaB]

Jan 24, 2016 17:48:26 GMT -5 lexus said:

Jan 24, 2016 17:43:56 GMT -5 NandaB said:

Fwiw I would be comfortable using the seatbelts on a FWD facing seat after checking that the seatbelts were bolted to something secure looking (like the metal seat frame for example). I dont think I would put them sideways though. For some reason that seems more dangerous because seats are designed to use forward or rear facing only.

My mom was saying that she is pretty sure that the seat belts in the dinette are bolted to the chaise (sp). If that's the case, I would be fine with securing them there. But she just said part of the point taking the motorhome is so I can nurse without us needing to pull over. I am not comfortable with that.

I would not be either. You could always pump and give a bottle in the seat,but I wouldn't be comfortable with my baby unrestrained in a vehicle, and its kinda shitty for her to insist that you do something related to vehicle safety that makes you uncomfortable

[lexus]

Jan 24, 2016 17:51:51 GMT -5 NandaB said:

Jan 24, 2016 17:48:26 GMT -5 lexus said:

My mom was saying that she is pretty sure that the seat belts in the dinette are bolted to the chaise (sp). If that's the case, I would be fine with securing them there. But she just said part of the point taking the motorhome is so I can nurse without us needing to pull over. I am not comfortable with that.

I would not be either. You could always pump and give a bottle in the seat,but I wouldn't be comfortable with my baby unrestrained in a vehicle, and its kinda shitty for her to insist that you do something related to vehicle safety that makes you uncomfortable

Oh she wasn't insisting it was just a part of their thought process that I wasn't aware of. More because it is something that she or her sisters would have done back in the day (when we laid a million kids across the bed on the top looking out the window while they drove). I thought they wanted to take it so they could stay in there on my aunt's property instead of being in her house with everyone else. We lost our son because we were in an accident when I was pregnant with him, she knows better than to push me on safety things. It's not a matter of convincing me, I just won't go or will find another way to get there. Honestly, I think it wouldn't be as bad as I initially thought to fly if I can cheap enough tickets. I can wear the baby in the airport and strap both car seats to a suitcase or something.

[lala]

Sorry Lexus, I didn't mean to cause confusion! I want to say it's something like the seats themselves aren't bolted to the frame of the vehicle? I don't even know if they're tested.

I know the sideways or rear facing seating are definitively a no-go. If you can afford it I would absolutely fly. The 5 year old will be easy and can help for sure. Baby will just sleep/nurse.

[lala]

I'm sure between all of us we have lots of flying tips!

[lala]

Another idea...is there another airport within a few hour drive with cheaper airfare?

[NandaB]

That's what I meant lexus - given your past tragedy I would feel really sad if she couldn't see that aspect.



Also (holy thread jack...) how are you doing? When are you due? Do you know what you're having??

[lexus]

Jan 24, 2016 18:45:44 GMT -5 lala said:

Another idea...is there another airport within a few hour drive with cheaper airfare?

The closest airport is Spokane and then we would have to rent a car and drive for three hours. The wedding is in the middle of August, which is too far away for me to check out flights yet.

[lexus]

Jan 24, 2016 18:54:44 GMT -5 NandaB said:

That's what I meant lexus - given your past tragedy I would feel really sad if she couldn't see that aspect.



Also (holy thread jack...) how are you doing? When are you due? Do you know what you're having??

She gets it. Thankfully.

I'm doing ok. This pregnancy had been emotional and a little complicated but so far everything is fine. We actually have our A/S tomorrow so hopefully we will find out then. The baby is plying low so we will have a better idea tomorrow night if it's too low and I need to deliver at 36 weeks or if there is enough room and I can have my repeat csection at 39. I am due June 15, one day and two years after my due date with our son.

[lexus]

And thanks for asking.

[lexus]

lattelady5 Do you know anything about the safety of car seats and seatbelts in motorhomes?

[minismama]

I totally think you can do it! It is a super long trip, but I have been doing 12 hour trips with my 2 kids since DS was 5 months old and we have never had a problem. It's all about planning properly and being prepared. I've got tons of tips that work for us if you go for it, just let me know!