Solo road trip w/ kids. Crazy?

[Willis Jackson]

I'm thinking about throwing the kids in the car after dinner tomorrow and driving 6 hrs to my parents'. Preschool is out, camp hasn't started, and we're bored.

I would be driving solo. Am I crazy? My main concerns are falling asleep at the wheel and not being able to stop to pee. I would sleep in tomorrow and hit the road around 7pm. I'll drink coffee, but again, the peeing.

Thoughts? Anybody do this? The kids are 3 and 8.5mo, btw.

[barefootcontessa]

confession: when I travel alone with my kids I pull off and find an isolated area to pee. It is way too much work to haul everyone into a McDonalds, etc.

I have done 700 miles by myself with four kids age five and under. Honestly, it is not that bad. I pack snacks, DVDs, etc. Driving is way less stressful than trying to get everyone through airport security. My DH works a lot and we would rarely see my family if I waiting until he took vacation.

[Willis Jackson]

Jun 2, 2012 7:21:04 GMT -5 barefootcontessa said:

confession: when I travel alone with my kids I pull off and find an isolated area to pee. It is way too much work to haul everyone into a McDonalds, etc.

One time in college we were having a party and our apartment bathroom had a huuuuge line so I took a tupperware container into my bedroom and took care of business. I'm thinking I might have to do something similar.

[brit1017]

Honesty, it depends on how your kids are in the car. If they'll pass out right away and sleep through most of the trip, I don't think it would be bad. If they are going to be up and fussy, then no.

Also, I would just check and make sure that there are hotels along the route in case you get too tired. While stopping is not the ideal (or MM), driving too tired puts you all at risk.

[Deleted]

Why are you driving at night? I'd just leave in the morning & then not as much to worry about in terms of tiredness. I drive my kid's solo up to our vacation home 6hrs away at least 1-2 times a year. I have 3 kid's all 2yrs apart. It's no biggie. Just go for it. We stop for gas 1-2 times & almost always go to McDs playland 4 hours into the drive.

[Deleted]

PS--I am not a fan of tired driving as I was in 2 horrible car accidents as a kid (at 4 & 12) due to tired drivers. Don't drive tired, it's just as bad as being drunk.

[Willis Jackson]

Yeah, I might end up going during the day. I'd need to map out places to stop and run around.

[karinothing]

Your parents live in this general area right? Playdate?

[Willis Jackson]

Jun 2, 2012 11:32:21 GMT -5 karinothing said:

Your parents live in this general area right? Playdate?

Ooooh. I grew up in that area but they moved to Western Maryland about 10 years ago. I could leave DS w/ my parents and bring DD to meet you for lunch/coffee next weekend. It would be more civilized with just the babies, lol.

[vanillacourage]

Do your kids nap? Id try to leave before naptime so they'll sleep through the first couple hours, then stretch your legs when you take a long break for dinner, then drive the last couple hours in daylight. I don't love the idea of being on the road by yourself with two little ones at 3am. If you do realize you're too tired to keep going safely, it's a huge PITA to switch gears and transition to a hotel.

[Willis Jackson]

Jun 2, 2012 12:49:19 GMT -5 vanillacourage said:

Do your kids nap? Id try to leave before naptime so they'll sleep through the first couple hours, then stretch your legs when you take a long break for dinner, then drive the last couple hours in daylight. I don't love the idea of being on the road by yourself with two little ones at 3am. If you do realize you're too tired to keep going safely, it's a huge PITA to switch gears and transition to a hotel.

Oh that's a really good idea. That would actually put us at an Ikea around that time. Perfect!

[af1212]

I used to see something similar to this sold at the Pep Boys near me: www.whennaturecalls.com/products/restop1.html