How should I get to NY solo with my 15 month old

[Anonymous]

I drove on my own with my then-toddler ds to NY on a regular basis. Key things were:

- Leave early to catch the morning nap. So getting as much as I could loaded in the car the night before was key.

- DO NOT STOP THE CAR DURING THE NAP. So fill up the gas tank the day before. Do not get stuck having to stop for gas with a sleeping child. Happened to me just once. Lesson learned!!

- If child is still rear-facing, have a mirror attached to the back of their seat so they can see you and you can see them.

- Have in the passenger seat a bag with snack cups and sippy cups with milk, juice, water, so you are ready to pass them back as needed.

- Lots of places to stop for lunch on the NJ tpike. On the way back, the last reststop gets crowded with everyone getting cheap gas at last place. Stop at the next-to-last-one, it's usually easier to deal with.

- Have a stash of good carseat toys. Stacking cups are good, board books, small favorites.

I did it every few weeks starting when mine was about that age. If we were heading to the city, I'd definately consider the train (did that once with two kids - it went pretty well!), but we were going to north of the city, so it wasn't a good option for us.

[Anonymous]

OP, it is really hard to advise you unless you are more specific about WHERE in NY.

I think most posters are assuming NYC, and even more specifically, Manhattan...but you only said NY--that could mean Albany or Buffalo or Rochester or many other places, and that could change the answer.

[Anonymous]

I have a 15 month old, too-- we often take Amtrak from DC 2 CT. Recommend.

[Anonymous]

If DC to NYC (not Arlington to Westchester or something) Acela at an off time of day. Bring a stroller or ergo (if he'll let you carry him) and as small a bag as possible.

[Anonymous]

We live on Capitol Hill (walking distance to Union Station) and inlaws live in Westchester (right by a train station). Taking the train is doable (I did it two weekends ago), but I prefer to drive. DC spends the whole train ride walking around, which is tiring and he has fallen and hit his head a few times when the train jerks. And he can't nap, so finding a train that doesn't stretch too far into nap time is hard. When I drive, I leave about an hour before bedtime and DC usually has a snack in his carseat and then falls asleep. He then sleeps all the way to NY. I don't stop at all and the traffic isn't bad at night. I am able to carry him inside and get him back to sleep pretty easily. It probably depends on how your kid naps on the go and how he/she sleeps in the car.

[Anonymous]

I took the train with my 16 mo. Worked out well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've taken the train repeatedly both when my DC1 was around that age and when DC2 was around that age - it worked very well, even when I had two kids to cart around, one a preschooler and one a toddler. Train worked better for me because they could walk around a bit if they wanted, instead of spending hours just in the car seat. Plus, driving a busy route like DC-NYC with a toddler who can do his best to distract you is no fun.

This said - train is only doable if (a) you have very little luggage. Transporting a ton of stuff PLUS a toddler is not something I'd wish on my worst enemy. (b) Your toddler is not a loud incessant screamer. Some are, in which case spare the eardrums of your fellow passengers

If you do decide to do the train, they offer pre boarding for those with small children - take advantage of it - that way you can pick a seat in the front with room for a stroller.

And, a little secret: use a Red Cap attendant for help with luggage, at least at NY Penn station. You'll get to preboard and get settled in without lugging your luggage around.Be sure to tip the Red Cap. Lots of old farts travel on Amtrak,though, and they'll stare you down and shake their heads if your kid makes too much noise. Ignore them.