AIBU to not want to go??

[slaps1983]

We are due to go on a weekend break soon but I have PND & anxiety and really am struggling to want to go. My problem is the 3 hour car journey to get us there. I will be in the back of the car with DS (19 months) while DP drives. DS is fine in the car for 45 minutes but then no matter what I try to do he screams until we stop (planned stops every hour at service stations) so I have 15 minutes of PND hell!! I try everything I can think of, food, drink, singing, playing, putting youtube on, pointing out cars, but nothing works and my anxiety gets worse and DS gets worse. DP trys to help but he is driving so not much he can do. DS won't nap in the car either so we're planning it so we get to our caravan in time for his nap.
I'm on the verge of telling my DP I don't want to go, we did this same trip 4 weeks ago and was so hard as by the time we got there we are all stressed and then thinking all weekend about the return journey.
AIBU for not wanting to go as DS loves it when we are there, or can you give me some ideas on how to help keep DS entertained. Thanks

Would your DP drive in the evening when DS normally sleeps?

Sorry, I've not had PND or anxiety so not sure what help I can offer other than confirm that you can always say no to anything you find difficult.

Dont sit in the back with the baby.

Can't you swap so you drive and dp sits in the back?

Sit in the front and he'll be okay as he won't expect you to entertain him.

I know this isnt recommended, but my car screamer stopped when we forward faced him. I think going backwards made him car sick.

If that wont work for you, how about seeing if child antihistamines will make him a little drowsy and reduced his annoyance - but definitely try it before you go as they sometimes work the other way and make the child hyper

Do you have a CD of nursery rhymes? That helped a lot on long journeys for us.

Do you not drive ? If you do then share the driving so that dh gets to entertain the child .

Could he be uncomfortable in the car seat? If he's grown the straps may be just a little too tight and might pull on him?

Go at night when he's asleep?

Can you stretch to staying somewhere en route and then at least it will break up your journey although spread out the screaming? I appreciate that not only costs extra money but also extra days onto your holiday.

It really is horrible, what we would do is that I simply wouldn't try to entertain DD, she just wanted to get out of the seat, no amount of entertaining was going to change that. I held her hand and did a soothing shush (like bedtime). We would then stop at the next services, have a break, then start again.

DD got better and better the more we did long journeys though, probably was also her getting older and understanding more that she does get out eventually!

Thanks for all the replies! We've already tried most of these but I've never sat in the front and let him entertain himself so I'll give that a try. Thanks again

Can you drive late so he falls asleep on the way?

I had an utterly awful journey to Somerset once but coming home we left at around 8.30 and the journey was a breeze.

Just want to say that I feel your pain OP, had some very similar trips with our son 21 months and we are going to Devon in two weeks and I am dreading it. Might try the sitting in the front thing too...

Good luck OP, I hope it helps and you have a good time.