Moving Across Country With a Toddler (and a Cat)

Looking back at our 5 day, 6 night move from North Carolina to Idaho I have kind of forgotten how tiring it was and am remembering the successes that we made...for instance, we are all alive! We never had any unmanageable meltdowns! (Well, Mike came close while driving through Hell's Canyon.) Pre-trip I was the most nervous about the Bear. I knew he would do well the first day because he is a pretty good traveler and can do a road trip from NC to MD without a hitch...but 6 days of driving? I wasn't so sure. I had many people say, "Do you have one of those portable DVD players?" Nope... I had people say, "Good luuuuck on that trip with a toddler." Thanks...but like any parenting situation, you know your kid best. I tried not to let negative things creep in too much. I figured if it was complete torture we could go and buy a portable DVD player. I thought about our trip a lot before we left. We still had Stanley facing backwards in his car seat and were planning to keep him rearfacing until the age of two (that is what is recommended.) My plan was to change things up.

Here he is rearfacing with his basket of books and toys nearby.

The first day, I would have him rear facing. The second day I would face him forward because he would be two 2-3 weeks after our road trip so I figured it was o.k. since it was a recommendation, not a law. I figured having him face forward would be a fun new experience and that it would allow him to be a more interested traveler. I think it helped. My possible third day plan was driving with the windows down...but it was soooo hot. We did this on the 5th or 6th day as Idaho was much cooler than our drive through the midwest. Those were my brainstorms pre-road trip.

Second day, facing forward.

I also decided to put a basket of toys and books in the car next to him that he could sort of grab himself while we were on the road. Another helpful thing was breaks. Taking as many breaks as possible. Some breaks were over an hour long, others were just stops for gas.

I think this was in Kentucky somewhere.

Here is my list of helpful hints for anyone doing a long road trip with a toddler:

1) Change It Up. If your babe is still rear facing in his carseat and it's close to the time (2 years) to switch him facing forward, maybe it would be worth doing the switch-a-roo a wee bit early just to make the driving experience new.

2) Drive With the Windows Down. Of course only if the weather permits. And it's not something you have to do all day long. But every now and then it's nice. I think Stanley enjoyed feeling the wind on his face and the noise is relaxing, like a noise machine.

3) Put a Basket or Box of Toys Within Reaching Distance. This was great. Stanley couldn't reach everything so it was nice that my Dad was riding shotgun and could grab stuff just as easily and hand it to him. We had more than enough books, his truck, pipe cleaners, a puzzle, newspaper, finger puppets,  a ball, dinosaurs and more!

His truck which is ridiculously too big for a traveling backseat toy but he loves that thing and would play with it for a good amount of time.

4) A Grown-Up Helper. Like I said in number three, my Dad was so helpful. I could have done it without him but we would have probably taken more breaks (for my sanity) and it is just safer to have someone who is not driving to hand the wee one toys, books, food/drink or even just to play with one another.  Also it was nice to have a grown-up to talk to!

Newspaper entertainment. Cheap and easy.

5) Walkie Talkies. My Dad brought his walkie talkies. They were awesome. So this is essential if you are driving separate cars like we were. It was me, Dad and Bear in one car and Mike in the moving truck. It was great for Mike because he would get lonely sometimes. Plus, we tailed the truck and if Stan B needed a pit stop  we could radio Mike and tell him to take the next exit.

6) Stashing Toys in the Front Seat. We learned that having some toys in the front seat was nice because if Stan B seemed restless we could easily hand him a toy or play with the finger puppets. My Dad and the Bear played dinosaurs quite a bit. 

7) New Never Seen Before Books. I bought three books for the trip (only got to two on the road.) But they were really helpful. They were both about driving or trucks or the like and they were a hit. He spent a long time with both of them and really studied the pictures. It kept him well occupied.  

8) Pack a Cooler. Put food and drinks for the entire family in there. Not only will it save money on food but it's way nicer to stop at a grassy rest stop and eat rather than a restaurant or gas station. Many of the rest stops had playgrounds. If they didn't we'd just bring the soccer ball out and kick it around. One rest stop was along a river which was fun!

This was at a rest stop in Wyoming or Utah. He could have played on this dino all day long.

We saw buffalo at this rest stop in Wyoming. Can't see buffalo (usually) from a gas station! It was great.

Little Salmon River...one of our last rest stops in Idaho.

 9) Bring Snacks. And bring them for everyone! We brought crackers, popcorn, granola bars, apples, grapes, oranges, peaches, avocados and nori(seaweed). This is also where a grown up helper is wonderful. My Dad was like the Bear's very own private server. Those no-spill snack cups are great because they minimize the amount of snack that ends up down in the car seat or on the floor of the car...that is until he figures out how to open it and starts balancing the container and lid on his feet. But I say, whatever keeps him occupied.

No spill snack cup/balancing toys.

10) Music. This is important. Bring it so you can dance in your seat, sing at the top of your lungs or let it become the soundtrack to your landscape around you. Stan B loved Tom Petty.

11) Small Musical Instruments. Like a harmonica or kazoo or recorder. We had a harmonica because I know he loves it. 

12) Playing Games. Games like, "Can You Say", "I Spy" - which with a toddler is more like, "Do you see a truck? Do you see trees? etc." 

That is all I can think of. Does anyone have any other screen-free toddler road trip ideas?