Bad family news - long road trip next week

stanleygirl wrote: My auntie passed away, there is no way I can make it to her funeral this Thursday, but next Sunday we are going to drive *back home* (in Ontario) which is a 20 hour drive at least. I am just a wreck right now, I have no clue how the boys will be cooped up for so long, and well my auntie and I were very close, this is a really hard loss for me.

I am hoping someone has had to do a long road trip, were there any activities or toys that worked better than others? Any advice you can give me? on hotels too?
I want to be REALLY prepared, no extra expenses on the road (hopefully), we will be on a tight budget too.

A&A'smommy replied: awww I'm SO sorry!!!! (((((HUGS)))))

mom21kid2dogs replied: So sorry to hear of your Auntie's passing.
I'm embarrased to admit that I need a refreshing on your boys ages. We've done some road trips but I didn't want to suggest things that weren't age appropriate. Could you post their ages again?

stanleygirl replied: Oops, gonna make that ticker one day...
Kieran is going to be 3 in a month and Brady is 9 months

mommy_loves_chase replied: me and my mom used to play this game where you had to find the letters a-z who ever got z first won but the trick is the letter has to start the word and you cant use plates of cars it was always a lot of fun or even a portable dvd player is a good idea

redchief replied: I'm very sorry for your loss. Peace be with you.

MyBlueEyedBabies replied: First, I am very sorry for your loss and that is definately not one of the situations where you would want to go home for.
The car DVD player saved us on both of our long car trips in the last couple months. I keep 4 full legnth DVD's and 4 or 5 of the TV show DVD's. We brought lots of coloring books both crayon and color wonder, blankets for both kids which were double duty for warmth and peek-a-boo. Luckily Katy and Matt would play with each other so we only had to endure a couple hours of it. We also carried a tub for each of the kids filled with all the small toys they like (weebles, cars, ponies, little people) and each kid gets to pick the favorite stuffed animal of the moment then they have something to cuddle with.
Good luck on your drive and again sorry about the circumstances

NummyMommy replied: I'm so sorry for your loss...its hard to travel under those circumstances. I have traveled with my kids in less then ideal situations (Greyhound bus and Amtrak train w/ no sleeper for 3 days) so I can give you some ideas of what worked for me. For younger kids (and even some older ones) an etcha sketch or magnadoodle is indespensible...I got 2 small ones (which I bought for $5 each)that could clip onto luggage and my boys LOVED them. Magnadoodle (about $13 for the big one)was the most played with toy on our bus trip (and every plane flight) it saved a lot of mess with markers and such. One of the best ideas I ever heard is to get books on tape from the library (free) and check out the book so older kids can follow along. There are some multigenerational books that all can enjoy or if you have personal tape players the kids can listen to their own age level books. The great thing about this is they are being entertained and learning as well. If your kids are the social types and want to interact then try Roundabout Storytime (where one person starts a story then the next person adds to it ect.) Theres also sing along tapes (which you can hopefully get at the library too) but I know when I'm stressed I want it as quiet as possible, so those might be a bad idea. For my older kids I buy a binder with paper(lined and blank), pens, stickers and colored pencils in a little zipper pouch (these also doubled as school supplies when we got back ) this way they can keep a journal of the trip(with drawings of what they see) to share with their friends when they get home...and/or write letters to friends. Also for older boys a set of Legos in a zippered pouch works wonders. I didn't have the opportunity but I think the most invaluble thing is frequent stops at parks or fastfood playplaces to burn off energy. Kids need that alot more than adults do. I can't think of anything else but if I do I'll post it. Good luck and my condolences again.

MommyToAshley replied: I am so sorry for your loss. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

Everyone already suggested the things I was going to suggest: DVD player, coloring books and crayons, books, magna doodle. And, there were even some suggestions I didn't think of. Have a safe trip, and I hope the kids are good on the road. I bet they will surprise you.

MM'sMama replied: Honey I am so sorry to hear about your loss lots of P&PT's coming your way .

mammag replied: Sorry about your loss. I haven't gone on any trips that long with the kids so I don't really have any suggestions but just wanted to wish you well.

gr33n3y3z replied: So sorry for your loss (((( HUGS ))))

luvbug00 replied: I Am SO sorry for your loss. i want to extend many P&PT to your family. I think the DVD player is your best bet. They are a little young for most car games.

Jamielou replied: Im sorry to hear about your aunt...

amynicole21 replied: I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I'll be keeping you and your family in my thoughts.

My best suggestion (other than the DVD player already mentioned) is to leave at bedtime and drive through the night. Let the kids sleep through most of the trip - it will save stress on you and on them. Good luck.

Sarah&Mackenzie replied: So sorry to hear about your aunt, thoughs and prayers to you and your family.

3xsthefun replied: I'm so sorry

kidsarecrazy replied: My thoughts are with you and your family!!

I think the DVD player is your best option for easy travel with the kiddies...make sure to make lots of stops to stretch out your/their legs...My sister in law finds it easy to get up really early (4/5am) and put them in the car in their pajamas and just GO!

Safe travels!

mom21kid2dogs replied: I've found that a kickboard (we get ours at Big Lots for a buck) makes a great lap desk and they won't injure your child if, heaven forbid, you are in an accident. I also always go to the library and stock up on plenty of kids music CDs so we have "new" music for the car.

We always take (pack) breakfast & lunch when we travel so that the only meal we have to eat out is dinner. We try to gauge gas stops with meal stops to expediate our travel time and still allow some time out of the car. A cooler also comes in handy for the hotel if they don't have a fridge to store milk, fruit, etc.

Good luck with your trip and {{{hugs}}} for your loss.

TLCDad replied: So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.