In The Car

It is no secret that we do not live real close to the school.  In fact, we drive 30 minutes to school and then back every day.  I feel like I am always in the car!  There was a point when my oldest was a baby (and all the way until she learned to talk) when riding in the car was torture because all she did was cry the whole way.  When most babies loved the car; she hated it!  I would sing songs or do whatever I could to block it out because I knew she was ok and there was not much I could do.  We have no choice, we have to go from here to there.
Those days are behind us and now I actually enjoy being in the car.  My youngest thankfully does not mind the car and my oldest has come to enjoy the ride.  Our rides are spent with stories, songs and games.  Here are a few suggestions to make a longer car ride with young children manageable:
1.  Have familiar songs/ Cd's in the car.  You could play the same CD over and over again so it becomes more familiar to them.  Don't be afraid to sing-a-long with them
2.  Have a basket of toys and rotate them out on occasion.  I try to stick to only what fits in the baskets or toys can take over my car. (a book, two toy animals or people; two, so they can play together, a magnetic drawing board, something cuddly, a toy phone are some good suggestions)
3.  Have a water cup and a small snack.
4.  A mirror for an infant is helpful; especially when they are at the age where they like to see themselves.
5.  If your child uses a pacifier; have it available where they can reach it.  A binky leash is always good.
6.  If at all possible for an infant, have them feed and changed before getting in the car.
7.  We like to change the words to songs and sing them.  For example; we sing BINGO, but change the name of the dog to any dog we know.  It gets to be pretty silly and fun.
8.  I also like talking to my daughter about her day or what we are going to do.  We also like to reminisce about things she has done in the past or when she was a baby.
9.  Play Eye spy.  You might have to change it a little for example; I say, "I spy with my little eye something that is real tall, it is brown on the bottom and green on top."
10. For an infant, a toy that rattles and one that they can chew on are helpful to have when they are old enough to play or grasp.
Although I really do enjoy interacting with my children.  Sometimes I just enjoy the silence in the car when Ellie is zoned out and Nate is sleeping and I can just think in peace.  Sometimes I even get to have a turn listening to my own music; pony music we call it.