Road trip with a toddler

[Deleted]

Next month we're traveling out of state for my sister's wedding. About 730 miles. Roughly 12 hours driving.

DS will be almost 16 months.

Here is my brilliant plan. Tell me if this will work.

The day we leave, I plan to stay home with him. We will play and be outside as much as possible. Basically, I want to wear him out.

H comes home from work at 2:30 p.m. I figure he can sleep till 7 or 8 p.m. DS's normal bedtime is around 7:30 or 8. Then I'll put DS in his pajamas put him in his car seat and he'll fall asleep in the car and we can drive all night.

Crazy? Or smart?

[OHMBLEEGOHHHHH!]

Smart

[ECB]

Smart. We just did 11 hours last Thursday. We did it during the day, but after an exhausting 5 days w/ family AND a time zone change, I was REALLY hoping that dS would crash out for a part of the trip. And he did twice - for a total of close to 3 hours. It was great!

[EmilieMadison]

That's how I'd do it. I'd also plan on having some (soft) toys and some snacks if he decides he will have none of it Does he typically fall asleep in the car on trips around town if it's near nap/bed time?
Good luck!!

[revolution]

smart

ETA: we drove across the country quite a lot growing up and we always left at bedtime. always. And there were 4 of us kids so I think my parents figured it was that or we killed each other.

[Deleted]

Aug 14, 2012 14:46:13 GMT -5 EmilieMadison said:

That's how I'd do it. I'd also plan on having some (soft) toys and some snacks if he decides he will have none of it Does he typically fall asleep in the car on trips around town if it's near nap/bed time?
Good luck!!

Yes, if it's near time for a nap or bedtime, he goes right out. Especially if it's getting dark.

[firedancer49]

Smart.

We did a drive with DD who was 3 from MA to DC, so a little longer than 12 hours. We had to leave midday, and I swear that kid only slept for 20 minutes. Once we reached out destination it was past her bed time, but she was so over tired!

[ThirdandLong]

Smart unless you are also going to be responsible for watching him all day once you get there. After driving all night, you guys are going to be tuckered out, unless you're a great car-sleeper, which I'm not. If your mom or someone can watch him for a few hrs when you get there, give you guys a chance for a nap, that'd be good.

[Deleted]

Thanks everyone. He sleeps like a rock once he's out in the car, so I'm crossing my fingers it continues.