Date: Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:27:59 -0500
Reply-To: Dave Creasy <mkcdc@VERIZON.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dave Creasy <mkcdc@VERIZON.NET>
Subject: Re: Thoughts on Travelling w/ 4 year old
Content-type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=iso-8859-1; reply-type=original
Besides small toys (which take time to get out of packages) held in reserve
dished out slowly (remember your trip is to get home in peace also), we
found magnetic tinker toys which you put together and build whatever can
hang from the metal strip overhead in the back lasted a long time in
interest. We also got a converter plug you plug into your cigarette lighter
(we installed one in the back by the side table) so we could plug in a small
T.V. and an DVD player. That consumed 2 or 3 movie lengths. Remember not to
run the DVD player too long when the engine is off. Little kids have all
kind of DVD's appropriate to keep them interested. Magnetic stuffed animals
can be fun also. My daughter liked to stick them someplace different and
whoever stumbled on it first would win. I have also stocked the car with
individual packs of candy they never usually get. It's an adventure, live
large! Little packs of pudding, juice boxes anything they would like they
don't usually get. I'm not a big prepackaged consumer on the everyday so my
kids thought is was great when they got all that stuff. Reading in the car
can have bad results so games which make the kids look out the window are
important to know when they start getting sick from coloring or looking down
too long. We also had this game of whoever saw the first white horse was a
winner of whatever you want to make it. Anything will not last long for some
kids, other kids can stay entertained with nothing forever. Don't forget the
little potty and plastic bag inserts so cleanups are easy. New handheld
games which don't come in the house so the interest stays in the car.
If you dish these interests out slowly and only when they get bored the trip
will be much more enjoyable for all. Make sure they don't know what you have
or where so it is always a surprise. You can also wrap them up individually
which will consume their time.
Have a great time. All my children's friends are in ah when they see the
great ride we have.
Mary Creasy
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Shawley" <easywind1975@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, November 22, 2009 8:36 PM
Subject: Thoughts on Travelling w/ 4 year old
So here's the deal, I've had my 86 Westy for 3 1/2 years now. I don't put
many miles on it, it gets alot of use hauling lumber and other crap from
Lowes. Each summer we take it locally to camp and what not on weekends that
we have nothing planned. I've never taken it more than 5 or 6 hours away.
Well I gotta bug up my butt to go see the Wanee Festival (
http://www.waneefestival.com/ ) in Florida this spring. Take a week or so
to take our time driving back and see some friends in the Carolinas. It is
a 15 hours straight drive and I know that is out of the question with a 4
year old, we'd break it up in two chunks, use a motel on the ride down.
We've gone to North Carolina once with our daughter when she was two and she
did great, we did it in a comfy 80 mph crusin' Passat. Oh yeah we live in
western Pennsylvania.
So here are my concerns;
Will travelling this distance with a 4 year old be more of a pain than it is
fun?
I'm not worried about the festival she loves that stuff.
I'm concerned about taking the van that far away, I maintain it pretty good
and it has never let me down but that is a haul. I'd probably get someone
to check it out for me and of course pay for the Premium AAA. My other
option is to take on of the cars and pack a tent and all that crap, hope for
no rain.
I'd just like to hear some varying perspectives on this before I reach a
decision.
Ryan
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