Going on a Road Trip with a Toddler

So when you decide to drive instead of fly with a 3 year old you need to be prepared. We decided to visit my relative in Shawnee, Oklahoma. She recently moved out there for a job and my Husband and I thought this would be a great way to spend time together as a Family and my son would be able to visit all of the sites.

The trip was supposed to take 12 hours from Denver, Colorado, to Shawnee, Oklahoma. It did not turn out that way, it took us 24 hours and my Husband and I do not like to stop. We made sure we were prepared with pillows, blankets, toys, crayons and coloring books, and the most important a portable DVD player with his favorite movies.

The first hour was fine no problems we were all excited to get going. After that it all went south my Son asked if we were there over-and-over again. He could sense our frustration and it turned into a game for him, one we did not want to play.

We made sure to stop every couple of hours so we could get out and stretch our legs. Two times he was asked if he had to go to the bathroom, he of coarse said no. Ten minutes after we started driving again he would say I have to go to the bathroom. Every stop after that he was forced as a precaution to use the facilities.

We fly with our kids now or we insist they ride with someone else.