How to Road-Trip Solo with a Toddler

Traveling solo with a child in tow can be very stressful. If that child is an infant or toddler, it is even more so as they are still very dependant on you for food, mobility and entertainment in the vehicle. I travel alone with my 19-month-old daughter often as all of her grandparents live in Virginia and we live in New York. It's about a seven hour trip down Interstate 81 that we have made more times than I can even count. Here are some tips that I have that can help make the journey a little less intimidating.

First, about a week before I even plan on leaving, I start to make a list of things that we use at home every day that our host probably will not have. Things like sippy cups, the portable crib, crib sheets, monitors, and favorite blankets or toys that you do not want to be without when you are away from home are essential to have in writing so you do not forget them in the last minute. It can also save you a trip to the store as soon as you get there to purchase forgotten supplies as you will be tired when you arrive and not too excited to have to get right back in the car to go and get things you need. It also helps your budget not having to buy these things all over again that you could have brought from home.

The second tip I have is to check up on the weather where you are visiting and pack your child's suitcase ahead of time. This way you can make sure that you have all the cute outfits packed that your host bought your child and you are not scrambling to get laundry done the night before your trip to get all the things you need to take clean for the next day. This is also a good time to gather all the accessories that you usually need but might not think about like barrettes, socks, extra shoes, rubber bands, etc.

The third tip I have is to pack up the car the night before. Not only does this give you the opportunity to realize if you have forgotten something, but it also lets you see ahead of time if you have enough room for everything you need to take and make the necessary adjustments. It would not be a great start to a long car trip to constantly be packing and re-packing the vehicle while your child anxiously waits to get going.

The fourth tip is to try and drive during your child's sleep time. Although the quality of sleep is not as good as being in her own bed, if you drive during your child's normal sleep time the car will usually lull them to sleep. This alone makes the ride a lot more fun for Mom or Dad. Start looking for rest areas around the time when your child would normally eat and take that time to stretch, eat, refuel, and just take a break from sitting in the car. I highly recommend the Welcome Centers for each state as they are usually clean, well-lit, and well-populated. Traveling alone with a child requires that you take the safety of where you stop into extra consideration.

The fifth tip is to take along a small cooler with beverages, snacks and something for lunch so that food is not the deciding factor on where you choose to take your rest stops. It can save an extra exit if you need fuel and food and you can only find an exit with one or the other. Plus, I do not know if you are familiar with 81 through Pennsylvania, but some of those exits do not exactly emit a warm-fuzzy feeling, so if I do not have to base my stop on finding a meal for all of us, it makes stops a lot less stressful. It also saves money and provides a healthier option if you take your own meals instead of stopping at a fast food restaurant for a burger.

The sixth tip is to invest ten dollars in an umbrella stroller. Mine has been invaluable in rest stops. They fit into the handicapped stall (and if traveling with a toddler on your own is not considered a good reason to use the handicapped stall, then I apologize) and they keep your little one from wandering about the stall, touching anything gross or opening the door to the stall as you are using the toilet. They are also sufficient as a high chair once you get to your destination, although you will have to hand feed as they are not high enough to reach the table top...but if you are still spoon feeding this isn't an issue anyway. If your child can self-feed, then you can get a little booster seat that straps on to a normal chair some place like Target for about $15.

Finally, make sure that you have something for your child to do on the road. For infants and toddlers, having a mirror on the back of the seat is often enough for an hour or two at least. My daughter usually enjoys looking out of the windows at farm animals and trees and playing with stuffed animals that attach to her car seat straps. Make sure that you have shades on any window that your child will be exposed to as they can still get badly burned in the backseat of a car! (I found some static cling window films by Eddie Bauer at Target for about $10 for two. They are big enough to cover almost the whole window and my daughter cannot pull them off.) We also sing songs, play "I Spy," and other vocal entertainment. When that gets old, she usually takes a nap or plays with the dog in the seat next to her. The verbal games also work for older children. Try the License Plate Game, 20 Questions, I Spy, and the Alphabet/ Sign game to keep them amused. There are also travel art kits and board games that you can buy to help fill the time.

It may just be that I have gotten lucky in that my child is a good road-tripper, but I believe that with these tips and a little organization before your trip, you too can benefit. A lot of people have said that I am "brave" for driving alone with a toddler, but as long as you are prepared, it really is not hard.