Travelling with 9 month old and 3 yo

[Biscuitmad123]

Hello, we are travelling up to the lakes for a week, and the journey is likely to take around 7 hours!
are we mad?
I have been hoarding new toys, thought the 3y/o could watch a film on the iPad and snacks+++++
we will stop every 2 hours ish
when we get there the grandparents will also be there plus their uncle so we have plenty of help once arrived, and tbh i have really struggled this time around with ppd, and this trip is keeping me going. But now the reality of driving there and back is setting in!
do you think it’s best to leave early ie:wake kids up at 4am to go, and hope they sleep a good chunk?
it is more the fear of being stuck in traffic with screaming baby!
any words of wisdom welcome!
thank you

I think you'll be fine. I dont give my 5 year old screen time on transport and he's ok. I see it as giving the gift of boredom. We play I spy type games. He plays with his little toys; he stares out the window and he sleeps as well. I agree with stopping every two hours. I use Google search along route device and find parks and cafes close to motorway exits or national trust places. I also have a bag of toys that are just for travelling so they have novelty value. Surprise favourite toy this time has been a stretchy sort of thin rubber tube a out 8 inches long. Provided hours of entertainment all holiday.

Are you going from the south? If so, I’d be tempted to do dinner, bath and PJs, put them in the car and drive for 3-4hours (hoping they sleep!) and then get a premier inn or similar for the night. Have a leisurely start to the day while rush hour traffic dies down and then do the rest of the drive.

We used to regularly do a very long journey when the kids were very little and I swore by the leave v early plan. We’d be on the road by 5 and the kids would both sleep the first few hours. They’d stay in their pjs and then we’d change them at our first stop.

it will be ok and any crying will pass but I remember the fear well!!

We regularly did long trips with ours at those ages (our parents lived in Cornwall and we lived in the US!). And we're old so didn't have any devices to keep the children happy.

It's just a mindset - sensibly organise and time what you can - naps and snacks. But if it goes pear shaped, it's a finite thing - you WILL reach your destination, and all will be well x

Have you done longish journey with screen? Beware travel sickness!!

I don’t do car screens - we drove to south france with a 3yo over two days and he had various toys, books to flick through, colouring on a lap tray. Lots of music he enjoyed singing to. Stopped regularly and the passenger was responsible for snack management

You might be better with one of you in the middle seat tbf
echo as well decent stops - France was great as loads had little soft plays! Depends where you’re going from but Rotherham services has a good play zone for littles