long car drive with 20-month-olds

With Thanksgiving almost here, that gets me thinking of Christmas (yes I get ahead of myself), when we'll be driving with our boys from San Francisco to San Diego. (That's about an 8 hour drive, without stops, though it can be longer depending on the Los Angeles traffic which we'll pass on our way). Our boys are usually okay in the car (one tends to sleep a lot; the other can get a lot more agitated and whiny (though not screaming), even on pretty short drives). I'm looking forward to the trip, but I'm already dreading the drive. We thought about driving at night, so they could sleep the whole way, but honestly, I just don't think we can stay up that late at this point! (we go to bed realllly early these days). So, I think we'll be driving during the day. I think they'll sleep for part of it (and, in fact, that worries me too-- they'll sleep for a million hours and then never sleep at night). Anyway, I'm looking for any and all advice as to how to keep happy toddlers (and parents) for a car ride this long. We've never driven that far with them before.

I know some people recommend a portable DVD player. We don't generally let the boys watch TV yet (though they are interested), but I am willing to make an excpetion for the trip. But, I do have a silly logistical question about this. How does this even work, with two kids, if you're not in a minivan with one of those little screens built in, etc. The boys do face forward now, which would help. We drive a Honda CRV (similar to a Rav-4, if you have one). I've never really understood how this works out, though I see it recommended a lot.

Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Definitely get a dvd player. A 1 screen one you can hang between the seats in the front row with straps. A dual screen is better because you hang one on each headrest in front of the child. Look for one that allows you to change the dvd on a seperate device so you can keep it in the front and change the dvd's easier. If you can find one, sometimes they are harder to find.

Buy some new toys, something unlike what they have at home, and dole them out when the screaming fits begin.

I've heard of people using magnets on cookies sheets for their kids.

Doodle pads are non-messy, my 21 month olds LOVE them. You can get small ones or bigger ones. We also have a small puppy and a small horsey that are for use on them, they leave "tracks" behind and make noises when you use them. But they are hand sized, noway they can be swallowed.

You can buy soft tables that hook to their carseats for them to play and snack on. Snack traps work fantastic for car rides (I actually bought lots and use them at home all the time too).

We drive from south carolina to canada every summer, it takes 3-4 days (36 hrs driving time). You can do 8 hrs piece of cake Plan on stopping every 2 hrs or so to get out, stretch, change diapers, and restock their snacks/sippy cups

 

I second the recommendation of a portable DVD player. I bought one on impulse when we were traveling out of town for a funeral, and it has ended up being the best purchase ever! If your kids don't watch a lot of TV normally, then you'll do even better because it will be a novelty for them!!

We got a dual RCA unit from Target that has straps to you can attach the screens to the headrests. They're "supposed" to be installed on the back of the front seats so kids can watch, but my guys are still rear-facing, so we installed them on the front of the rear seat headrests and they work great. :good:

I also recommend that if the trip normally takes 8 hours, plan for it being more like 10 or 11; you will stop a lot more and for longer times when you have toddlers in the car.

Good luck, and I hope you have a great trip!

 

Thanks! I'll definitely look out for a portable DVD player. And, yes, I agree that there's no way it will only take 8 hours when there's toddler twins involved!

Molly

 

I was so anxious this weekend about traveling. We did however leave close to bedtime. BEST decision EVER! Even though we were dead tired, it worked out SO good!

I ended up at Target Friday am waiting on the dual head rest dvd player. It was the best 2 1/2 hours wait yet LOL. I always never wanted one in the car but it helped SO much on our drive back home. It just goes over the headrest on each side and we plug it into the cig lighter.

Btw we have an 04 CRV and this is what we did

 

Thanks-- great to hear that it works on our very car!