DC to NY roadtrip with 19-month old by myself!

[Anonymous]

I'm heading up to NY tomorrow with my 19-month old DD and wondering if I have enough "equipment" in my arsenal to keep her occupied in the car by myself. It could be about a 7-hour trip if I hit traffic and take a lot of breaks. My plan is to leave as soon as she wakes up in the morning (hope to have the car mostly packed tonight) and get at least past Baltimore before stopping to give her breakfast (she'll have milk in the car). I'll try to get her to run around a bit when we stop to tire her out a little. She only naps once a day in the afternoon, but I'm hoping highway driving will lull her to sleep for at least some of the trip. Then I've got a portable DVD player with some new DVDs she's never seen before, Dr. Seuss books on CD, various music CDs, some new books board books for her to look at, and a lap pillow drawing tablet thing (Parents magazine recommended).

Any other recommendations? I'm planning to stop every 1.5 hours or so for meals, diaper changes, etc... Do I seem prepared for this, or am I missing something major? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Can you leave at night? It's such an easier drive when they are sleeping ... Plus, if you leave late it will likely take you 4 -4.5 hrs (depends on how you drive).

[Anonymous]

Can you take the Acela instead? It's a much nicer way to travel that particular route with a toddler. Signed btdt many times mom.

(But in terms of car preparation - you sound like you've got it under control. We used a lot of stickers and lots of different kinds of snacks. Also singing together to Best of Elmo and Elmopalooza, etc.)

[Anonymous]

Lots of light healthy snacks in easy containers?

I do this trip all the time with my children who are 2 and 3. We've done it since they were born. We do silly things like look for "diggers" and other construction trucks along the road - ever since they were able to point, my kids love construction things.

If I get really desperate, I start singalongs.

[Anonymous]

I drove to MASS by myself when my son was 17mos. We made it all the way to Albany without stopping. I just kept throwing food at him and kept the Rafi pumping. He dozed and was content. Don't stop unless you have to. Luckily, there were no poo diapers. The stretch to Albany was 6.5hrs and the final leg just over an hour. It was a piece of cake. Now that he is 2 I regularly take him alone to our cabin in Western PA, 3.5hrs away. THe key is good music and lots of their favorite foods.

[Anonymous]

i made many long car trips by myself with my son. found that it was useful to leave a little later in the morning so he would have some time to run around before getting in the car..then he was more likely to fall asleep quickly...and he always napped much longer in the car (and earlier) than at home. music was key too. agree with the rafi recommendation, also had the music together tapes. i know all those songs very very very well. and lots of snacks. i was often able to go 5 hours straight without stopping. it's harder now that he's older and we have to stop for him to use the potty much more frequently. i actually miss diapers!

[Anonymous]

14:04 here. I forgot to mention that I always make sure I start with a full tank of gas so I don't have to stop. If I stop for gas when my kids are asleep, they always wake up and never go back to sleep.