I am going to be driving to my parents' house over the weekend...5 hours one way if there aren't too many traffic delays (plus an hour or two for pit stops). A friend and her husband are also traveling the same way, so just for my peace of mind we are going to try to travel "together" though we'll be in separate cars. I am a little bit nervous about going so far on my own with DS, but I have done it twice with DH so I kind of know what to expect as far as how long DS will tolerate the car seat. He usually does okay for the first 4 hours (as long as we take breaks to eat and change the diaper). After that, he's cranky-city and fusses a LOT. Normally DH is driving, so I can get in the back with DS and entertain him by singing and doing hand movements. (I have done the "itsy bitsy spider" and sign language ABCs until my wrists were sore.) Since I will be on my own for this trip, any ideas of something that might help us get through that last dreaded hour? (And no, having my friend ride with me is not an option...we'll only be on the same road together the first 3 hours or so.)
Re: Solo Road Trip with DS
While I haven't gone on a long road trip with my LO, when he gets cranky in the car I sing songs from The Little Mermaid and for some reason, it shuts him up. I don't know what it is, but it works!
Sing your life away! And talk to him a lot.
I'm really not a fan of TV for babies... but in this circumstance I'd probably do this. TV isn't great, but crying for 5 hours is will make everyone involved miserable.
Good luck!