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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to think this is a long drive for a 5 year old.

47 replies

fiydwi · 15/06/2019 16:05

DS has just turned 5. He is football mad so DH and his friends who all support the same team plan on doing a stadium tour which I think is a lovely idea.

The stadium is a 4 hour drive from where we live so I assumed they’d go up, stay overnight and come back the next day.

But they’re planning to drive all the way there, do the stadium tour and then drive back.

So all in all DS will be cooped up in a car for 8 Hours maybe more depending on M25 traffic. I have no objection to him going at all. I think it’s a long day for a little boy and that they haven’t really thought it through. There will be 5 going, 3 adults, a 12 year old and our 5 year old all in a VW Tiguan.

Do you think it’s too much to do in 1 day? Or am I just overthinking it?

OP posts:
Vivavivienne · 15/06/2019 16:07

Assuming they will stop for leg stretches and loo breaks I think it’s fine. Excitement will carry them there and tiredness will see them sleep much of the way home.

whatswithtodaytoday · 15/06/2019 16:08

I don't see the problem? It sounds like he'll be very excited on the way there, and hopefully might sleep on the way home.

We used to drive to Cornwall/Devon every summer for our family holiday, which was about an eight hour drive with a few stops on the way.

Sirzy · 15/06/2019 16:09

Well if they are tired they can sleep in the car.

PositiveVibez · 15/06/2019 16:09

I think it will be fine. He will probably sleep most of the way home.

Dandelion1993 · 15/06/2019 16:09

We did Cardiff and back before in a day with (then 3 year old) DD1. As long as you stop for the loo and stuff it's fine.

spanieleyes · 15/06/2019 16:11

Depends on how used to long distance travelling he is and how prepared you are. mine were travelling all over Europe at that age, plenty of games/audiobooks ( we had the full Harry Potter range on CD which pretty much lasted a week!) so 8 hours would have been a breeze for them!

LooksLikeImStuckHere · 15/06/2019 16:13

It’s fine. We have driven our two up to Scotland to see family since they were babies which can be a ten hour journey. Just have some rest breaks and it’ll be fine.

luckylavender · 15/06/2019 16:13

I can't see the problem

Original poster
fiydwi · 15/06/2019 16:13

Thanks everyone. DS won’t sleep in the car. I’m just worried about him getting tetchy and bored.
You’re probably right. DS hasn’t long turned 5 and is just so small bless him.
If it was me I’d have booked somewhere, stayed overnight and come back the next day.

OP posts:
MyOpinionIsValid · 15/06/2019 16:15

Let your DH parent as he sees appropriate.

Silvercatowner · 15/06/2019 16:16

I’m just worried about him getting tetchy and bored

There are worse things. Children need to be tetchy and bored sometimes.

BiscuitDrama · 15/06/2019 16:18

I wouldn’t do it. Six hours would be my limit I think from a concentrating with a bored child in the car pov.

whatswithtodaytoday · 15/06/2019 16:18

Surely he'll sleep if he's tired enough - maybe you just haven't done a long enough day out with him yet, for fear of it being too long?

You can always resort to phone games if he gets really grumpy.

IHaveBrilloHair · 15/06/2019 16:19

Surely your DH can deal with his tetchy and bored son?

mabelmylove · 15/06/2019 16:19

I’m assuming he won’t be the one driving? So I’d say it’s fine...

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 15/06/2019 16:20

As long as there are stops, should be fine.

Fwiw my dd has driven with 2 younger ones, 2 hours to Dover followed by 5 hours to destination in France.

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 15/06/2019 16:20

No - we were taken on holidays a 2 day drive across Europe every year since I was a few weeks old until I left home.

I really miss it! Snooze, eat, stop and run about, eat, listen to music, snooze, play games...

janetforpresident · 15/06/2019 16:20

I think it will be a nightmare and I wouldn't do it. But it's up to your DH really.

rvby · 15/06/2019 16:22

I drove my 5yo 8.5 hours one way for summer holidays. He was annoyed when we stopped - wanted to get there asap - and didnt even need a wee the whole way there. Didnt say much and amused himself with books.

It's not ideal but honestly sometimes the best memories are of non ideal trips...

Original poster
fiydwi · 15/06/2019 16:23

**Surely he'll sleep if he's tired enough - maybe you just haven't done a long enough day out with him yet, for fear of it being too long?

On the contrary, we’ve done lots of long drives, places that far away many times, just not there and back in one day if that makes sense.

You’re all right though, he’ll prob be fine, and if he does turn into a grump then it’s not me who’ll have to deal with 😬😂

OP posts:
WhenISnappedAndFarted · 15/06/2019 16:28

He'll be fine and have a great time! I'd let him go and you're right - if he is tired and grouchy, it's not you who has to deal with it

Heratnumber7 · 15/06/2019 17:09

We used to drive all the way to Nice with our 5 year olds!!!

WhiteRedRose · 15/06/2019 17:12

"I’m just worried about him getting tetchy and bored."

That is a big part of childhood tbh 😂 he needs to get used to it.

ZippyBungleandGeorge · 15/06/2019 17:23

Is it just me wondering why three adults and two children all support a team four hours from home (unless the other adults are related and you've all relocated), are they going to Manchester from London OP?

LadyRannaldini · 15/06/2019 19:22

Why should it be a problem? Children do this all the time and their parents don't invent worries about it!

When we lived overseas our children from birth were driven for hours, later we have done road trips in the US when there were 'driving days', great fun when the 7 year old followed Daddy into a service station and called to him Ask if they sell rubbers, mine's worn out.