Tips & tricks for keeping them awake in the car?

No, don't laugh, I'm sure there's a way! If H & N fall asleep in the car even for 5 minutes it ruins their nap and sometimes they don't fall asleep at all. We go somewhere almost every morning and if we are not home by 11:30 or sometimes even earlier they will fall asleep. That just doesn't give us a lot of time to do things. Any ideas would be appreciated. TIA!

 

I can't wait to hear the responses! We have the same issue here!

 

No help here as I was going to ask this SAME question today! My sister and I went to the mall. We went as soon as they woke up from their nap(11am). We left the mall at 2(a tad later than I wanted to). They were both out in no time-and it's a 20 minute ride from the mall to home.

Got home, gave them a bottle and put them to bed. No such luck! And I NEEDED that nap! I left them in there for a good 30 minutes plus and said forget it. This is why I do not like going out in between naps!

So I will be looking forward to the answers you get!

 

A dvd player works wonders ! Other than that .. brush up on your singing. If we dont have the dvd player, then I try to get them to sing silly songs with me.

 

I had this same problem! I used to roll the windows up and down and that kept them amused for a few min. If you freeze them out or just roll up and down. They love it! That was my only idea...sorry! :hug:

 

dvd player, yell, scream and sink at the top of your lungs, reach back and tickle their feet (not real safe, I know). Thats what I do!

 

i sing really REALLY loud!

 

We use the dvd player too, keeps them wide awake. And sometimes we'll do a snack too, puffs or cheerios in one of those snack trap things work pretty well (I'm afraid to give them anything else b/c I don't want them to choke).

 

Same here. I try to schedule car trips early in the day so they aren't the slightest bit tired yet. I sometimes put down the windows too. If they DO fall asleep in the car, I push back their nap by an hour and that seems to help them get at least a bit of sleep at home. I think the best advice is to NOT drive anywhere within 90 minutes of nap time if you can help it. I know it's restrictive.

 

Oh, and cookies or "toddler trail mix" (a comination of Cheerios, raisins, Gold Fish, dried cranberries, puffs, etc.). It may spoil their lunch but at least it doesn't spoil their nap.

 

i put on upbeat kid's music. If I see one drifting, I strike up a conversation: "oohh look at the....".

 

The only thing that REALLY works is FOOD!!!! If desperate I tickle their feet...

 

We resemble something of a travelling circus at time trying to the keep the kids awake!! I've brought small balloons in the car and blown them up, blown bubbles, whipped out the snacks, sang silly songs, play "I spy"....you name it, we've done it! If my kids, especially Alex, even sleep for 5 minutes too late in the day, bedtime is completely thrown off. I will do ANYTHING to get them in bed at a reasonable hour. This is, of course, all done from the passenger seat while DH is driving, I can't blow bubbles when I'm behind the wheel!

 

Things I have done:

Hand them each a wipe with the corner of the package torn open. They like to get it out and then use it to wipe every part of their bodies (plus the carseats) they can reach.

Give them sippies of water and let them dribble it wherever they want -- it's only water.

Have them take off their shoes & socks (or I'll do it myself at a red light) and then make a game of reaching back to tickle their toes. (Not recommended for highway driving. :blush: )

Point out every single thing by the side of the road I think they can possibly see -- "Look, there's a cow! Look, in 10 seconds we'll go under an overpass! [count backwards from 10] Does anyone see a green sign? Look, there's a yellow bus!"

Repeatedly ask them if they're awake; make a big show of checking in rear-view mirror to see if their eyes are closed.

 

QUOTE(~* dfaut *~ @ Nov 26 2008, 09:18 PM) [snapback]1088278[/snapback]
I had this same problem! I used to roll the windows up and down and that kept them amused for a few min. If you freeze them out or just roll up and down. They love it! That was my only idea...sorry! :hug:


We also use this trick along with loud music and a crazy looking mama to anyone that can see me! :lol:

 

you've got some excellent ideas, i've just one more to add: sing songs WITH ACTIONS and get them joining in.

 

I will tell them not to let each other fall asleep. If Bryce starts to doze of Simon will yell "BRYCE NO NINIGHT!" Same if Simon starts to doze off. This only works if one is sleepy and the other is not.