Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

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:

HolesinTheSoles · 15/06/2019 19:26

Will a 5 year old really enjoy a stadium tour enough to warrant 8 hours plus in a car? It doesn't sound at all worth it to me since most kids that age are more physical. Its a long drive for one day and sounds miserable to me but if DS is keen I don't see why not. At worst it will be boring and a bit frustrating.

Expressedways · 15/06/2019 19:27

he’ll prob be fine, and if he does turn into a grump then it’s not me who’ll have to deal with - definitely this!!
Load up the iPad with stuff to watch, take plenty of snacks and plan a loo break as services aren’t that frequent on the m25. My toddler can easily manage 4 hours in my car (also a VW Tiguan if that’s relevant), you’re definitely overthinking it.

jimmyhill · 15/06/2019 19:29

Just drove DD 2.5 for five hours with one stop along the way. It was fine.

monkeytimesthree · 16/06/2019 03:14

No way on gods earth I would let my just turned five year old go off with a load of dads for 8 hours in a car. I completely agree. It's way too far to expect him to travel in one day.

Durgasarrow · 16/06/2019 03:18

Kids can travel long distances in a car. It's not a big deal. Especially for something fun.

Aebj · 16/06/2019 03:22

8 hours in total is fine. We used to live in Scotland and my parents in Devon , MIL in Kent . We used to do the drive every 3 months.
The boys were 10 and 12 when we drove from Perth ( Western Australia) to Canberra. It took 5 .5 days! They were fine
Your son will be fine

Birdie6 · 16/06/2019 03:48

No doubt there will be 2 dads doing the driving . It won't be one solitary man driving for 8 hours at a stretch, it'll be two dads doing four hours each. Not a lot really - I often drive four hours or longer. Load up DS's iPad and off they'll go . It sounds wonderful to me - something your DS will remember . I think it's great that he has a dad who'd want to give him that experience.

PregnantSea · 16/06/2019 03:58

Sounds fine to me. It will be a great bonding experience for him and his Dad and will be a lovely memory to look back on when he's older. He will probably sleep in the car but even if he doesn't and gets grumpy on the way home then that will be your DH's problem because you won't be there. I don't see the issue.

Zoflorabore · 16/06/2019 04:28

We've done Liverpool to Essex and back in one day- twice.

Dd would have been 1 and 2 respectively.
It was fine. Couple of stop offs, plenty of drinks and snacks ( older one was 9 and then 10 ) and toilet break when needed.

Admittedly though it was very tiring but the adults were more tired than the dc.

BritWifeinUSA · 16/06/2019 05:19

Has he been on long journeys before? I assume they’ll stop for toilets or stretches/swap drivers. It’s not that far to me - but we think nothing of driving 17 hours to see the in-laws in Southern California. You get used to it. But if he’s not used to that amount of time in a car it could make him restless,

Have you suggested they stay overnight there?

Youseethethingis · 16/06/2019 05:29

He will survive of course, but it does sound like a shit day. More of an endurance test than a treat, even when you aren’t 5 years old and itching to run about in fresh air. All those bodies in one car, too - very uncomfortable drive I would have thought. All to avoid paying for a Travelodge?

JingsMahBucket · 16/06/2019 06:17

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

😂 I’m imagining @fiydwi’s 5 year old getting a cup of coffee and jumping in his booster seat in the driver’s seat to start the long drive home. 🤣

Vivavivienne · 16/06/2019 07:25

@monkeytimesthree

No way on gods earth I would let my just turned five year old go off with a load of dads for 8 hours in a car.

Would you let the child go with a load of mums?

Why would you not let the child go with his other parent? You know, the one who is equally responsible for this child.

Iliketeaagain · 16/06/2019 07:30

I think you need to let your DH parent the way he sees fit - he's arranged an activity that he can share with your son.. is your son excited? If so, that should be enough. And if he gets tetchy and bored, that is your DHs issue to deal with.

Enjoy the peace as they are out for the whole day!

myself2020 · 16/06/2019 07:32

Depends on the child. my 6 year old - no way he would turn into a monster as he needs exercise (and not just 20 minutes ...)

BillywilliamV · 16/06/2019 07:35

Give me a couple of films on s tablet/ iPhone and some headphones. He’ll be fine

flowery · 16/06/2019 07:42

”Is it just me wondering why three adults and two children all support a team four hours from home”

Think it’s just you, yes. Everyone else knows that football fans often live far away from their team.

We happen to live about an hour and a half from our team, but that’s purely coincidence, it could just as easily be four hours.

stucknoue · 16/06/2019 07:45

I'm only worried about the driver, your son will fall asleep on the way back.

eurochick · 16/06/2019 08:04

It's fine. My grandparents moved that far away when I was 18 months old. We never stayed over so trips always involved around 8 hours of car time. In the days before tablets so there was much boredom, but it was fine.

lovelyupnorth · 16/06/2019 08:12

Don’t really see the issue. Took my 2 dds to see my mum in hospital 3.5 hrs each way only way we could do it.

Also have driven from Nante to Cumbria in one go only break was the ferry and food.

ImFreeToDoWhatIWant · 16/06/2019 08:19

I'm mostly failing to see how any of this is your problem OP?! Dad can do all the planning etc if he's the one betting the trip, and if ds won't sleep in the car then he'll be super tired when he gets back so bedtime can be hopefully quick and you might even get a lie in the next day. Win win to me...

AguerosAngel · 16/06/2019 08:26

You’re definitely overthinking this OP!

Let your DH deal with whatever crops up during his planned day out with his son.

The only thing you should be worrying about is what you’re going to do with the peace and quiet while they’re gone!

Flip

1 2