Traveling with toddlers – the road trip edition
Last week I told you that we went to the beach last month. (I’m so behind. I know this.) I also mentioned that I braved the road trip with the toddler all by myself. Traveling with toddlers is something that makes me so nervous. On the way to the beach, my mom drove separate and was around to help out when we stopped for lunch and any gas stops we had to make. That was a nice touch. Coming home, though, it was just me. I had thought it through before our trip and I planned for so many scenarios that I thought we would be dealing with.
My child does not entertain himself well for more than 30-45 minutes at a time, and I knew I just didn’t have the time (or patience) to stop every hour. So I really needed to think this out.
The thing that helped the most was that we changed his car seat to be forward-facing just after he turned 2. Best decision ever. He can see more and I can easily hand him things if necessary. (I am a big advocate for extended rear-facing car seats. We turned our seat around when it was better for all of us. No judging, please.) Here are a few other things that helped us:
1. I kept a basket of toys in the passenger seat next to me. Any time he needed a book or a toy that lit up/made music, I could easily hand it to him.
2. I planned for stops every 2 hours.
3. I made sure we were driving during nap time. This was huge.
4. The iPad was our saving grace. When he bored of the toys and books, I handed him the iPad and he was able to play his Sesame Street apps on it. I downloaded a new Elmo numbers app for him, so he had something new to explore. It just so happened that the apps were 99 cents for a weekend, and I bought it during that time. I also downloaded some Kids learning songs onto the iPad as well to keep him entertained, whilst hopefully learning something too. The iPad not only kept him busy, but I knew he wouldn’t fall asleep while playing it and he would eat lunch when we stopped. If he fell asleep before lunchtime, I just knew we were in trouble.
After lunch, he played with the iPad for a little longer and when I knew he was going to be ready for a nap, we stopped to use the restrooms and I took the iPad away (out of sight, out of mind, you know?) He fell asleep within 5 minutes and slept for over 2 hours until we pulled into our neighborhood!
I realized on this trip (something I had been thinking about and figuring out for a while, really) that there are few fast food restaurants that are completely accommodating for parents with toddlers. Wendy’s restaurants NEVER have changing tables in their restrooms. The stalls are too small for a toddler to stand in there with you. McDonalds’ restaurants, surprisingly, also don’t have changing tables. So when it came time to stop for lunch, I had searched for Chick-fil-a on my phone (when we were at a gas station.) Reasons I chose Chick-fil-a
1. My toddler will eat their food. He loves their food. (And so do I.)
2. The staff are trained to be exceptionally friendly and they will carry the trays to my table for me.
3. They have changing stations in their restrooms. And space that I could also use the restroom and he wouldn’t be in my lap.
4. See number 2. They also came back to check on if I needed refills or anything extra. I didn’t have to lug my toddler back to the counter to grab ketchup or napkins.
We made it through a 6-hour car trip with no meltdowns, no tears and very little stress. I couldn’t believe it.
What tips do you have for traveling with toddlers?
we do not travel to far much but we have little screens on the backs of the seats so they get to watch a dvd and also they entertain each other which is good.Our oldest is always very helpful.I hate having to go so far that we need to use public restrooms and stops as most of them are never convenient.Well done to you for doing it all by yourself i would not lol.
I never changed my babies in fast food restaurant bathrooms anyways, so I always made sure I had what I needed and changed them in the trunk of my suv.
Hey, Chick-fil-A is a GREAT place to stop with kids of all ages! I love that they seem to ‘get’ what moms need. Your road trip tips are really useful, too. Traveling during naptime or at night can make a big difference for little ones!
Great tips! My kids never sleep in the car on roadtrips! You are very lucky!
Way to go on a such a great trip for your both! I love Chick Fil A’s service!
Driving over a nap time and with an iPad is totally how we roll. Perfect advice.
The Fauci’s are hard core travelers.. We raise our kids young to tolerate car traveling… A few years ago we traveled from TX to CA in a day and then from TX to FL in a day. MOVIES is key… It can be a long ride and tough but somehow we do it.. Sometimes I think I need to read an article on ‘How to Travel with a Wife’ (that’s me).. hee hee
Sounds like you planned it out well! My family loves Chick-fil-a, too.
We always make sure to have tons of entertainment, as you did. The nap time tip is golden too!
The longest i’ve been on the road with my toddler is 4 hours. I normally travel when he is sleeping. I haven’t had to use any tricks put I’m pinning this post for future reference!
Great tips- I find I have to be ahead when traveling with my children and finding a clean place for diaper changes is an issue.
Great tips! I have found tat ChicFilA is great for kids too!
These are such great tips. It can be a challenge to travel with toddlers!
Wow I learned something new. Ok I dont have kids so you mean to tell me both Wendys and McDonalds dont have changing tables in their stalls for the childen?? Really??
Chick-fil-a is one of the few fast food restaurants that I eat consistently so just an additional bonus. I know traveling with kids can be a handful so I know all the mothers out there appreciate your tips for summer road trips!
Sounds like you had a successful trip with a happy entertained kid.
My Grandkids go to sleep the minute hey get into the car. I wish my daughter would have done that too because she got car sick.
Good tips…I remember those traveling with toddler days. Being organized and prepared were so important to a happy trip.
On the night before a trip I always kept my kids up very late. We try to get on the road very early so this way they’d sleep through a chunk of a trip.
Great tips! I don’t have anyone in diapers but the Chick-fil-a info is helpful to anyone traveling that might need some assistance.
On road trips I’ve been known to drive out of my way just to hit up a Chick-fil-a. I totally understand!
Never been to chick-fil- a! We don’t have them here in Canada! Great tips!
Thank you for these tips! We are about to embark on a three hour trip and I’m so nervous with my little one!
These are awesome tips! Snacks, iPad, DVDs = how we get through road trips lol.
We love Chick-fil-a too!!! We love that they are always clean and like you said the staff is great. I remember those trips with toddlers. I once evacuated for a hurricane with my infant and one year old alone because my husband was in the military. That was the most stressful trip ever. I remember at one point wanting so bad to cry because my 1 yr. old had a BIG accident in her car seat and I had to try to clean it and entertain her and keep her safe all at the same time. I made it through though and came out on the other side better. I wish I had an Ipad way back then! LOL! They can be a life saver but I try to always use it last too. These are great tips!
Driving during nap time is a great tip. When we drive far, we drive through the night.
Great tips. We’re taking our first long road trip with our 1yo this fall. Should be interesting.
Great tips for traveling with toddlers! My son is 11 now but I remember we took lots of breaks!
Traveling with toddlers can be a great experience if you’re prepared! Love your tips. I always hated changing my little man in public bathrooms though. I usually just changed them in the car if I had to, but it’s awesome that you received such great service at Chik-fil-A.
My kids always slept pretty well on car trips, thank goodness. Good to know that Chick-Fil-A is exceptionally child-friendly!
I used to make sure that I had toys and books for the kids to play with, a drink and snacks.
We’re driving 500miles (12 hours) to New Jersey this weekend and I could use all the help I can get. My daughter rides pretty well but 12 hours is a long time.
I’ve noticed how UN accommodating fast food restaurants have become! I love that Chick-Fil-A was there for you – we love their food and the service! We are past the toddler stage, but I travel with 3 kids ages 5-12 on a regular basis by myself, and I agree keeping them busy is key!
I just made a trip in a car with my 2 nad 3 yr old. I am talking elbow to elbow with everyone and it was a nightmare, wish I would have seen this post
we love chick fl a for that reason too. They have such great service. We travel with dogs to the beach every year. that’s a whole nother topic. lol
These are great tips. Traveling with babies can be a challenge
You’ve given me some great ideas to think about. Our next trip might be a road trip. Our kids (mostly the 4 year old) don’t do well with long drives.
Stopping a lot is a super good tip for traveling with a toddler. Unless they’re sleeping! Then drive as far and as fast as possible lol (safely of course!)
I remember those days. Trying to manage all the things a toddler needs and not lose my mind.
I do the same thing with the passenger seat! I load it up with easy to grab toys and pre-made snack cups!
Great tips! I did a guest post last year called Traveling with Tots, and I think I had the same tips. It’s imperative that moms of little ones plan ahead. A little planning can completely derail a mommy breakdown! Pinned.
Glad your trip went well. My kids are monsters on road trips. The iPad helps out a lot.
The best way to travel with toddlers is to bring along things the toddler likes and will enjoy.
Great tips! I love Chick-fil-A. Ours has a “Mom’s Valet”, you go through the drive-thru to place your order and pay. Then you’ll pull around and go inside. Your food will be delivered to your table. No dragging kids around and trying to pay.