1st family trip anxiety...

kor&dan

On Sunday DH and I... along with my MIL and BIL will be taking a 7 hour road trip with 11 month old DS.  I am really nervous about this!  We will be staying with my MIL's sister and her two kids (luckily she's got a big house) for 5 days.  I'm just nervous for this whole endeavor with DS in the car.  He does like the car but, I don't know, it just seems like a really long time for a poor baby to be cooped up!  We plan on stopping frequently to get out and move around but does anyone think this is just too much?  

DreadLoc

Does he tend to fall asleep in the car?  We drove 14 hours a couple fo weeks ago and TBH Joy slept most of the way.  When she did wake up we stopped for a bite to eat, stretch her legs out, get gas, and then headed back on our way.  She would stay awake for an hour at the most before falling asleep again.

I'm sure he'll do great, just try to leave at the beginning of his normal naptime.  Or, if possible, drive at night to elongate his stretches of sleep.  GL and have fun! 

nopegoat

We just went on an 18hr roundtrip (9hrs there then stayed for about 10hrs and then immediately drove back) about a month ago. Like PP said, I would definitely try to leave early early in the morning or late at night so your LO can sleep. We also brought lots of snacks, toys, my laptop with a few movies and his favorite songs to keep him busy. When we stopped we also let him run wild for a few minutes so he could burn some of his energy off as well.

 Good luck! 

Kate621

My family live 6 hours away so we have to travel if we want to see them. We're also going on vacation soon with an 8 hour drive. He'll be fine. Just stop often and bring lots of toys to entertain him.

Gingersnap_mama

We took a 6 hour drive when DD was 8 months, and something I would suggest is to get a couple new toys he's never seen before.  That way if he does start to get cranky you can bust out the new toys and keep him entertained for a bit longer.  All you can really do is get out every couple of hours and bring lots of toys.  We were so worried too, but it ends up working out!  He'll be ok

SpartanChick88

We will be doing 10 hours next week to get home.  We are planning stops in Delaware to get some UD stuff and Annapolis to get Navy stuff for CJ.  We will also stop in VA to see some friends so lots of breaks.

An idea that I saw in Parents Magazine that I loved was to take a bunch of rings and rope them from one side of the back seat to the other and hang toys from them. 

kor&dan

Thanks for the reassurance and tips ladies!!  I feel much better now!