Toddler nightmare in car

[stridesy]

My nearly two year old is a nightmare in the car. She is ok for short journeys but anything longer she starts crying which is distracting. Over Xmas we have a 3 hour journey to London to see family. Any hints or tips to make it bearable.
She's also a nightmare in the pushchair now. I do walk her but she goes a bit manic in the shops and now won't hold hands.

Lots of distracting toys, story cds and music she likes. That's the only way mine can tolerate the car, otherwise it's just screaming the whole journey.

Oh, and snacks!

Nursery rhyme/song/ story tapes.

Books. If there are two adults then someone sit in the back with her. For long trips tablet.

Have you checked her car seat of comfy?

Can you schedule trips for when she'd be more likely to sleep (v early starts with a stop en route for breakfast / afternoon nap-time / return at bedtime in PJs). Failing that, lots of stops along the way if you can.

My son (now 18) hated his car seat with a passion I drove with him screaming bloody murder for eight months straight whenever he was placed in it. My sister nicknamed him "Mexican jumping bean" the way he squirmed and fought it tooth and nail. Good luck OP I feel your pain

Oh god I have one of these, she will be two in Feb and since pretty much new she's hated the car and now it's worse than ever, I dread goin anywhere, Iv got her a lil tablet for Xmas for nursery rhymes, we have a god awful cd in the car with nursery rhymes and snacks! And try and do it at nap time!

Portable DVD player did the trick for us.

I think my DS is an angel but he would struggle with 3 hours drive. That's really long at their age (and at my age!)

Personally I would:

1. Time some of it around naps
2. TV of some sort
3. Breaks for a run around (I plan trips so I can pull off for a run around a park)
4. Someone in the back seat to play
5. Singing/games

Before you start the 3 hr trip take her to the park or play with her in the garden boisterously for at least 45 minutes to wear her out!