https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 13 May 2026 02:16:46 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/solo-road-trip-with-two-kids-am-i-crazy#post-2893895 Wed, 07 Aug 2019 21:35:15 +0000 LCTBQE 2893895@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: didn't read through every comment, but what if you left super early in the morning and the baby could maybe doze for a while? Just thinking too to just navigate quickly through all the shit traffic congestion getting through NJ and stuff... the only thing that gives me pause about the whole thing is that after like 90 minutes my kid starts telling me he wants to get up and gets kind of frantic if he can't, which is one of many reasons why we never fucking go anywhere. but if they've been good so far, it sounds like you guys will make it okay. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/solo-road-trip-with-two-kids-am-i-crazy#post-2893886 Wed, 07 Aug 2019 19:56:16 +0000 Silva 2893886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just did 5 hours with an almost-3 year old and a 9 month old. Both are rear facing, and i drive a mini van. We are very familiar with the drive, but doing it alone with 2 kids was new for me (my husband was on a separate trip and flying up to meet us at our destination). </p> <p>I moved both seats as close to the front of the car as I could. I put two bins in the car, one for each kid. I pre-packed snacks into snack cups for each kid (yogurt melts for baby). I had a magnetic drawing board, reusable stickers, and a loaded ipad for the 3 year old. I got a few small, new toys for the baby. </p> <p>We left as soon as we could, about half an hour before baby was ready for her first nap. She had her morning nap. I had to stop twice for the toddler to pee, i just pulled over and he goes on the side of the road. I knew there was a playground half way, so we stopped there for an hour and had a picnic. Then baby fell asleep again, slept better this time.<br /> Toys and snacks were enough for the baby, along with naps. She did really, really well (she's pretty easy going in general, so I'm lucky here!).</p> <p>Toddler was hard. Stickers worked but then he would drop them where I Couldn't reach. Magnetic drawing board was a BIG hit. Definitely recommend, especially if its a new toy. Ipad worked, though at first he wasn't into it. BUt once he settled down, that was my best bet. It was hard because he gets stuck or frustrated on games, and can't navigate to a new show by himself. Eventually I figured out that I just had to put shows on, even if he was asking for a game. When it was over he'd tell me, hand it to me, and I'd do that really unsafe thing of putting a new show on while I was driving.</p> <p>We made it. It was a long day. I drank a big fat margarita upon arrival. But there wasn't any crying or screaming, and I was anticipating WAY WORSE. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/solo-road-trip-with-two-kids-am-i-crazy#post-2893884 Wed, 07 Aug 2019 18:49:27 +0000 ALV91711 2893884@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: when DS1 was 2 we decided to do our trip overnight. It is about 12 hours to my in laws. Worst idea ever! We left around 7pm and DS didn’t pass out until about 11pm and then at least once per hour would scream and cry. I was supposed to sleep while DH drove but I barely slept. DH went for a sleep when we got there, then I had a nap when he got up. It’s been 4 years and we haven’t done it again! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/solo-road-trip-with-two-kids-am-i-crazy#post-2893860 Wed, 07 Aug 2019 15:47:21 +0000 mdf106 2893860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband has done this multiple times with no problem. My kids are pretty good on road trips, and don't need a tablet. We do limited snacks, because too much snacking leads to carsickness. He doesn't stop much, either. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/solo-road-trip-with-two-kids-am-i-crazy#post-2893854 Wed, 07 Aug 2019 14:38:05 +0000 Pollywog 2893854@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: So my husband is up at 430 or 5, do 3 isn't that much earlier for him. How we do it is we both go to bed at 8 with the kids. Then we wake up, transfer the kids, and then when we get there my husband naps when the kids go down and we have an early bed. For us it works out well </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/solo-road-trip-with-two-kids-am-i-crazy#post-2893846 Wed, 07 Aug 2019 13:03:58 +0000 SweetiePie 2893846@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just realized that I’m also taking a 2.5 hour trip with them this weekend. DH is going too but we are taking separate cars since he has to leave early on Sunday.<br /> Can’t decide if I want to practice or make him take them and let me know how it goes solo 😂 since I’ll be doing it next weekend. Maybe I should enjoy the 2.5 hours of peace and quiet this weekend. 😉 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/solo-road-trip-with-two-kids-am-i-crazy#post-2893845 Wed, 07 Aug 2019 13:01:50 +0000 SweetiePie 2893845@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KT326: good call on multiples of everything! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/solo-road-trip-with-two-kids-am-i-crazy#post-2893844 Wed, 07 Aug 2019 13:00:16 +0000 KT326 2893844@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: I know when a few of my friends drive overnight they take turns sleeping. So one person will drive 4 hours while the other person sleeps and then they switch. I couldn't do it, I need a bigger chunk of sleep! Plus my DH can't sleep in the car so logistically it would just never work for us.</p> <p>@SweetiePie: I think you've gotten some really good tips. I've driven shorter distances with my two kids, but even then the older one is so helpful when it comes to his little brother. He is in a booster seat so he can easily lean over and help him out or hand him snacks. I make sure to have all my snacks ready to go and I bring multiple water bottles. One always seems to get dropped on the side of the car seat by the door that no one can reach until we stop. So it's just easier to leave it until the next stop. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/solo-road-trip-with-two-kids-am-i-crazy#post-2893840 Wed, 07 Aug 2019 12:48:49 +0000 Anagram 2893840@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pollywog: People always suggest to drive with kids overnight, but what do you do with the kids the next day? Like, when do the parents ever catch up on their sleep? </p> <p>I don't trust my husband to drive alone (he's the type that can fall asleep in 3 seconds flat if he's tired) at night, so we'd both have to stay up. And then we'd arrive and the kids would be raring to go, and we'd have been up all night and be sleep deprived. Does it only work if you are visiting family and you can hand off the kids to someone else?</p> <p>We did a big road trip from NYC-florida last summer (and it was fun, we broke it up into a lot of fun overnight stops), but several people kept expressing surprise that we didn't choose to just drive overnights. But I don't get the logistics of doing that with kids--I feel like I would die if we had to stay up all night and then care for the kids the whole next day and then continue driving again at night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/solo-road-trip-with-two-kids-am-i-crazy#post-2893839 Wed, 07 Aug 2019 12:44:41 +0000 Anagram 2893839@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: you aren't crazy! Mine are pretty good in the car (although they are older than your kiddos) and I'm planning on a solo road trip with them in 1.5 weeks--we're going to take 4 days to drive from NYC-central Georgia. I always research and plan fun trip stops, but they are pretty good to go in the car as long as we stop for food/snacks/potty every 2-3 hours.</p> <p>eta: Last year, I drove NYC-FL with the kids. I flew my mother up so she could drive down with us, and then my DH flew to florida and drove back with us (for me, it was a 3 week round trip, because we had a cruise leaving from FL too), and I realized on the leg with my mother that I didn't really *need* her there. I was still doing all the driving, I planned all the stops and the kids still came to me for questions/bedtime rituals/food stuff so although it was okay having her there, it wasn't as necessary as I'd thought. She didn't even ride in the back with them, she rode up front, so that made me realize I could have easily done it solo--and that's what inspired my solo trip with the kids this summer. I have the whole summer off, so I like to go off and explore with the kids, and then DH (who has less time) can just fly in and meet us at our final destination. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/solo-road-trip-with-two-kids-am-i-crazy#post-2893838 Wed, 07 Aug 2019 12:39:29 +0000 SweetiePie 2893838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@caitcat: Ahhhh a clip for the lovey. Good call. Mine does that too. He purposely drops it then gets upset when he can’t pick it back up. It starts with a cute dozen or so “uh ohs” then escalated to crying. But, we’ve ignored it before and he eventually gave up and fell asleep without it.<br /> But I like the idea of clipping it much better.<br /> And I’ll keep a bunch in the front seat next to me. </p> <p>Love all of these tips and stories, thanks! Making me feel more and more confident. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/solo-road-trip-with-two-kids-am-i-crazy#post-2893836 Wed, 07 Aug 2019 12:29:36 +0000 Autumnmama79 2893836@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: I would do it! I'd just make sure I was super prepared with car activities, iPads, snacks and cold drinks, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/solo-road-trip-with-two-kids-am-i-crazy#post-2893834 Wed, 07 Aug 2019 12:23:42 +0000 caitcat 2893834@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've done what should be a 4-ish hour drive (took me closer to 5.5 after kid related stops) on my own with both kids a couple times and it was definitely doable. Not much worse than trips with my husband along.</p> <p>My biggest mistake the first time was giving my then 15 month old her lovey to hold in the car. She kept pushing it juuuust out of reach in her seat and got mad until she'd happen to kick it back closer and grab it again. She dropped it a couple times and screamed like it was the end of the world, which then made my three year old scream in solidarity. I should have put the lovey on a pacifier clip or something to keep it close, or not given it to her at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/solo-road-trip-with-two-kids-am-i-crazy#post-2893833 Wed, 07 Aug 2019 12:19:50 +0000 JennyLayneAZ 2893833@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't done this (and currently only have 1 child), but my cousin is either a rock star or insane, I haven't decided which. She has 4 kids (oldest is 10 I think? and the youngest is 3 1/2 now) and last summer she drove from Cali to AZ alone with just her and the kids. So, approximately 8 1/2-9 hours. So...its doable I guess?! Good luck :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/solo-road-trip-with-two-kids-am-i-crazy#post-2893824 Wed, 07 Aug 2019 11:54:38 +0000 graceandjoy 2893824@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think it's crazy to consider. Can your 5 year old hand stuff off? I've totally asked my 4.5 year old to throw stuff at her sister when they can't reach lol). But my younger is 2.5 so she does know to reach out her arm to so they can try to trade stuff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/solo-road-trip-with-two-kids-am-i-crazy#post-2893821 Wed, 07 Aug 2019 11:29:24 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2893821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’ve done 4 hours with my two when I was pregnant. It was ok! I had extra things beside me so that if the 1.5 year old dropped her soother, I had another to pass her. </p> <p>Plus side of driving, it someone is screaming you can just power through and keep going without upsetting an entire plane of grumpy travellers. Haha </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/solo-road-trip-with-two-kids-am-i-crazy#post-2893817 Wed, 07 Aug 2019 11:00:51 +0000 HappyBaker 2893817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’ve done lots of similar length solo road trips when I just had 2 kids and they were fine! I think the key is to lower your expectations and stress about getting there in a certain amount of time. If I know the way I frequently turn the GPS off so I’m not staring at a minute by minute countdown for 7 hours! Also key is setting up your front passenger seat with all the snacks / drinks and distractions in easy reach - you don’t want to be digging around in a bag while driving. I’d see if you can move your big kid to the middle seat that way you can easily pass stuff for him and for him to pass to the baby. It also helps to map out places along the way with play areas - we usually try to stop at McDonalds play places and Chick Fil As, even if it means a few minutes off the highway. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/solo-road-trip-with-two-kids-am-i-crazy#post-2893809 Wed, 07 Aug 2019 10:11:11 +0000 ALV91711 2893809@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You can do it. I think getting an early start like you said and then just not worry about having to make extra stops. If the 5yo can give the baby things if needed that would be helpful. I’d pack lots of favourite foods and stop at parks to eat rather than an indoor space just so they can burn off some energy. </p> <p>I hope you go for it and have lots of fun!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/solo-road-trip-with-two-kids-am-i-crazy#post-2893807 Wed, 07 Aug 2019 09:58:07 +0000 SweetiePie 2893807@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snarkybiochemist: O.M.Geeeeee how did I not think of this.<br /> He has a 5pt harness booster in my car but a blackless booster in DHs since he’s in his car way less. Maybe we borrow that booster for this trip so that if totally necessary he can hand things to the baby. </p> <p>@Pollywog: @josina: I would probably leave at like 7am with them. Let them eat breakfast and go. They don’t sleep great on the go so I’m too nervous to do it at a time where they need to sleep for a long chunk but can’t and then will be cranky and overtired. I mean, the baby will take a 1.5-2 hour nap in the car but I’m too afraid to do it at like bedtime when he really needs to sleep. </p> <p>And I would die if I had to drive in the middle of the night. Haha. If I was with DH and we could trade off then maybe. But I’m too afraid to be the only one that can drive and risk their safety. I’ve driven alone over night before pre kids and it was not wise. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/solo-road-trip-with-two-kids-am-i-crazy#post-2893803 Wed, 07 Aug 2019 09:51:07 +0000 Mrs. Turtle 2893803@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've done similar trips several times with my two, who are 15m and 3y9m now. My youngest has never been great in the car. She's better these days but it's a toss up. Sometimes there's some screaming. Most times I've been able to do it without extra stops, and we just plow through. I'm usually able to hand a few things back even when I'm driving if I'm really careful. I adjust the passenger seat all the way up and the seat she's in is behind it, and I move that one up too. I usually get some dollar store toys and favorite, safe snacks. My almost 4 year old loves listening to kids audiobooks. Once or twice the baby was super fussy and I ended up stopping more, and it took a really long time, but actually still wasn't that bad. We just enjoyed the stops, found some cool playgrounds and didn't worry too much about time. I'd plan on it taking all day so you're not rushed if you do need to do some longer stops to keep everyone sane. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/solo-road-trip-with-two-kids-am-i-crazy#post-2893802 Wed, 07 Aug 2019 09:49:46 +0000 snarkybiochemist 2893802@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think its doable and probably less stressful then flying, would your 5yo be willing or able to help in handing stuff to the baby if needed? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/solo-road-trip-with-two-kids-am-i-crazy#post-2893801 Wed, 07 Aug 2019 09:46:09 +0000 Pollywog 2893801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You're not crazy, but I would not try and make time. I'd plan to make 2-3 stops at playgrounds along the way. I'd pack food and eat at the park so you won't have to do car snacks</p> <p>. I'd also plan to travel off hours. We just did a road trip from 3-9am and it was awesome. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/solo-road-trip-with-two-kids-am-i-crazy#post-2893800 Wed, 07 Aug 2019 09:42:52 +0000 josina 2893800@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If I had to do a trip like that solo with 2, I'd definitely drive over flying (they're contained in the car vs. the hundreds of people in an airport), and I'd try to travel when they are most likely to sleep for a few hours, super early/ or late evening? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/solo-road-trip-with-two-kids-am-i-crazy#post-2893798 Wed, 07 Aug 2019 09:33:36 +0000 SweetiePie 2893798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Want to visit my family next week/weekend and obviously it saves a lot of money to drive.<br /> It’s a 5-6 hour drive without kids. With kids we’ve done it in 6-7. My kids are (knock on wood) awesome on car trips and we only have to stop once or twice. They don’t cry or scream. 5yo weirdly doesn’t even ask for the iPad. He just looks out the window and listens to music. 18mo last took this trip 3 months ago and he snoozed on and off and just babbled. </p> <p>BUT. Both times I was with DH. This trip I would be alone. </p> <p>Has anyone done this? My biggest concern is actually that I can’t hand the baby snacks or water if I have to. Afraid I’ll do a lot of pulling over and I really don’t want to turn a 7 hour trip into a 9 hour trip just because I’m alone. </p> <p>DH thinks that the flight would be more stressful since I can’t control delays, cancellations, etc. 18mo less likely to nap. I can’t stop for food, let them run off steam at fast food play space, etc. Have to deal with lugging car seat or renting and installing in a rental car which adds another layer of waiting. </p> <p>I’m really torn as there are some serious pros (and cons) to both. </p>