My aunt Betty retired this week after serving as an elementary school librarian for over 23 years. The family threw her a surprise retirement party on Monday night and Gage and I decided to take our first solo road trip so we could be there.
My aunt Betty was a huge influence on me when I was growing up. Before I could stay at home by myself I spent my summer days with her. She is fun and energetic and I know from experience that the kids in her school were lucky to have her. She was always there to throw slumber parties for the 8 of us grandchildren and it because of these parties and other outings that I am as close to my cousins as I am. Thank you, Betty!
My family lives 2-2 1/2 hours away and on the way down I waited til Gage was ready for a nap and we were off. He woke up with about 25 minutes to go and didn’t get angry until the last 10 minutes, so I think it was a success. On the way back, we had the flip side. He napped for the first 25 minutes and then was NOT HAPPY. We stopped and walked around a hunting store (having never been in one before I was just as interested in all the new stuff as Gage :)) and then got back in the car. He lasted about 5 minutes before he was NOT HAPPY. We tried walking around again at the next rest stop. He seemed happy again…until we actually got back on the highway. The next 20 minutes were spent with me trying to go to my happy place and still drive safely. Blessedly, Gage wore himself out and finally fell asleep.
The moral of the story? None. I’m sure I’ll make the trip again and I’m sure that it will have mixed success. Do any of you moms have any good advice for our next trip?
And a bonus picture just to show that he recovered from our trip.
Stacy's Books 
When Vance was small, I knew other moms that would drive their kids around to put them asleep. That never worked with Vance. We discovered that he got car sick. He got much better at riding when he could sit where he could see out the window. I’m sure Gage will get better at riding.
He does usually fall asleep, but on most long trips I ride in the back seat with him and can help him get to sleep. I got car sick as a kid and it was awful. Poor Vance!
I used to time the cross state trips to my parents to coincide with naps. And I also remember trying to go to my happy place. Your post made me smile with memories and then ending it with the adorable photo of Gage is a bonus. Congrats to your aunt.
Well, the nap worked the first time but not the next day. Maybe 2 trips in 2 days was the problem!
Though I never had children and have no travel advice to share, I just had to pop in and say that “bonus” picture is totally adorable!
Thanks 🙂 It was too cute not to include.
I think it sounds like a very successful road trip!!! I love the last photo of Gage. And Congrats to your Aunt Betty for her retirement and for her dedication to children, books, and the love of reading!!
Spoken like a true librarian 🙂
Sorry the trip back was a bit frustrating for the both of you. I don’t have any great advice! Did you have an audiobook going? LOL
Congratulations on your Aunt Betty’s retirement. I am sure she was beloved and will be missed at the school.
I did have an audio book on but quickly switched to music, which usually makes him happy, but not so this time.
What an adorable “happy” picture! I remember with my two sisters, one fell asleep in the car, and one got car sick in the car! Those trips are tricky! When Gage gets a little older, maybe you could play those “we sing silly songs” CDs. I think they work great!
I need to get a few silly cds for him! Good reminder.
Well, he looks none the worse due to the trip!! Go ahead, continue, trip-ping with him!
he looks so happy!
I hope he’s happy. Some days it’s hard to tell 🙂
Aw poor baby, but he recovered nicely! Congrats to your Aunt. I hope she enjoys her new fouund freedom 🙂
Me too. She’s earned it!
Oh, yes, I remember those days – trying to drive in my “happy place” with a screaming baby (or two) in the back seat. Sounds like you handled it well. And that grin in the final photo makes it all worth while. What a cutie!
Thanks! I’m glad I’m not the only one trying to zone out to stay safe 🙂
I’m sure you enjoyed the the party though.
No advice. Amber was not a baby who slept in the car. When she was a baby every trip involved crying.
(sigh) I hope it doesn’t come to that!
No special advice other than to keep up with the trips. He’ll get used to it. He’ll have to unless; you stop going anywhere. I love the last picture. He’s basically a happy baby and I think he’ll remain that way.
Yes, he will have to adjust to the trip without mom or dad being in the back seat with him! Eventually.
Your Aunt Betty sounds wonderful!
And I know those kind of trips!!! I remember one trip having to sing made-up verses of the Wheels on the Bus for HOURS! (Well, 2 hours but it felt much much longer.) Do you have any music tapes you could try? Some kids either travel well or they don’t. Eventually it will get better. (I hope.)
I sang Old McDonald at the top of my lungs til I thought I was going to pass out. That’s when I decided to stop the first time. I need to get some fun cds that he might be distracted by.
Oy, I remember the days of having a screaming baby on a long car trip. Not fun! I’m glad he, and you, recovered 🙂
Yes, until we do it again 🙂
Go Aunt Betty! She sounds like she totally rocked at her job and with her family. So lucky to have her. I have friends with kids who hate the car – some because they puke from car sickness and others because they just hate being stuck back there that long by themselves. None of them have ever shared a secret to converting them into joy riders. They just keep the petal to the metal and drive through until the unhappy passenger gives up, falls asleep or loses their pipes.
Yes, he’s better if someone is in the backseat with him. This first solo trip was a challenge…for both of us.
Aunt Betty sounds like a wonderful person! 🙂 She kind of reminds me of my own aunt.
The pictures are so cute!
Everyone needs an Aunt Betty in their life.
Your aunty Betty is a wonderful person!
I need to check with my mom and see how we behaved as babies or young children when we were making long trips with my parents. LOL