Keeping a toddler happy on a long car trip?

[Kes]

I'm staring down the barrel of a long drive back from Devon on my own with my 15 month old daughter - any suggestions for keeping her happy?

In the baby car seat we had toys that could go over the handle but I'm stuggling to find anything that would attach to the second stage seat. Can't just give her her normal toys as she'll drop them and then yell and as I'll be on my own I can't be leaning over backwards on the motorway!

Hopefully I'll be able to time it so she sleeps for most of it, but she tends to be wide awake just at the point where I get lost coming into London!

Thanks!

K

[nunheadmum]

Does she like singing - I've found the Monkey Music CD's and similar have got us to Scotland and back. Charlie and Lola one is our fave now No 1 is older but no 2 likes it too as she's familiar with the programme. Mum and dad are brain dead by the end but keeps the little un's happy.

Similarly maybe books on CD - you can get ones like the Gruffalo and Hairy McLary etc.

Otherwise just be ready to do lots of stops. Just wandering round a service station may suffice at that age. And if you can do the trip in the evening, it may help - unless they fight sleep in the car like my youngest does.

Would say you could borrow some of our music and books but looks like you're coming the wrong direction!

Good luck - wouldn't wish a long journey and screaming kid on anyone!!!

[womanofdulwich]

really would wonder about a motorway- so hard to stop if you have to- try and use some A roads too- and have at least a break every 2 hours- little walk etc ( oh so easy to say i know). at least if you look out of hte window on an a road- you canlook at the cows etc etc.

[Kes]

Thanks for the suggestions!

I'll see if I can get hold of some CDs while we're down there, she quite likes the Charlie and Lola programme and if I can face it she goes to sing and sign classes so those songs might be good.

I'm driving down there with DH and we'll go this evening so hopefully she'll sleep but I have to come back on my own and don't fancy doing it late as I don't trust myself to be alert enough. We do normally go on A roads most of the way, my main worries are the potential for big jams at stone henge and my tendency to get hopelessly lost coming into London, which is usually just about the point when she's really had enough! I fear that awful combination of shouty cow on the sat nav, screaming baby, scary traffic and, most likely, really needing a pee!

(I should say we've only had a car for a few months and although I've had a licence for years and used to drive a lot a sold my old car when I first moved to London so really don't know driving routes at all yet)

Right best getting packing!

Kxxx