preventing car naps?

Reagan's Mommy

So, Reagan goes to a half day toddler program on Tuesdays.  But, its about a 30 minute car ride home and she always falls asleep for about 15-20 minutes in the car and then will NOT nap anymore the rest of the day.

Then, of course she is tired and miserable.  I talk/sing the whole time, give her a sippy of juice (she almost never gets juice), bringing the dog along...nothing has worked so far.

Anything else I can try?

brightning

Put her in the car with my DD, the only child in America who almost never sleeps in cars!

Seriously, I don't think there's anything you can do. I can't help myself from falling asleep in the car.

CBKMRB

The only thing that works for us is her portable DVD player.  We only use it for long trips and when we don't want her to nap in the car.  Nothing else has worked for us.

Andrewsgal

Portable DVD player works for us, I also roll the windows down, give her crayons and stickers, we sing songs LOUD!

butterbeansmama

Singing LOUDLY! Portable DVD player.

Reagan's Mommy

hmm, hadn't thought of the dvd player.  I'll have to bring that to try next week...and I'll be sure to sing along EXTRA LOUD!!

 ETA: So, if you see me driving around Boston Tuesday around lunch time singing like a crazy person...just know I'm doing it for my kid.  :-)

CBKMRB

I don't live that far from you so I'll try to keep an eye out for the crazy singing driver. 

 

hikerbeth

I'm almost never successful if she's really tired.  However, I would enforce "quiet time" even if she doesn't want to sleep when you get home.

hopefulmom

I second the DVD player.  I also ask DS a lot of questions and point out things out the window for him to look at.  We are in the car a lot on 30 minute trips so I'm used to it.  He rarely goes to sleep...especially if I'm asking him questions..."do you see that doggie out there"  "what does the doggie say", etc.