Driving To Staten Island with a 2mnth old screamer - LONG - SORRY!!!

I'm not sure if you all know this but Jack is a huge PIA in the car. I had to switch him out of his infant car seat bc he would scream bloody murder.

Now, in the Marathon, he's def. better but he has his moments where I have no choice but to pull over. The other day from Old Navy to my house (about a mile drive) I had to pull over FOUR times bc he was out of control.

I am supposed to go to Staten Island on Saturday to meet up with some of my old clients - and bring him with me. Just the two of us. DH had no problem with this - BUT - my worrywart mother is freaking out. I can't say I'm not worried either. It's in the back of my mind - what the hell will I do if he has a breakdown and I'm on the Verrazano Bridge?! He gets to the point of turning purple and gagging himself. It's not a pretty sight.

Anyway, my mom offered to come to SI with me - and I'll just drop her off at the mall. I feel stupid doing this. I am a 30yr old mom now - do I really need my mommy to drive with me (although I will admit it is such a relief to know she will)

My question is - after this long winded post - am I nuts? The girls offered to come to my house - should I just take them up on the offer? Or, should I just have my mom come with me? Or - SUCK IT UP - Drive alone!

If you got to reading this far - THANKS!

Re: Driving To Staten Island with a 2mnth old screamer - LONG - SORRY!!!

I have to go to S.I. all the time, my parents & In laws live there.

Anyway, Danielle gets insane in the traffic as well. I try my best to fill her belly before we leave. That usually works. However, it's murder on that BQE if she's not happy or asleep. I'd take the girls up on their offer if Jack is a screamer. One time, she was screaming so bad and there was no exit in sight due to bumper to bumper traffic, I thought I was going to cry!!!
Good luck!

Re: Driving To Staten Island with a 2mnth old screamer - LONG - SORRY!!!

Can you figure out what the problem is? Christopher gets antsy if he is in the car for too long, but usually if he is fed and clean, he dozes off.

Can you get a mirror and put it on the back of the headrest or something like that?

We used to live on Staten Island, so we've done the drive a bajillion times, what time of day are you going?

ETA: It would be FINE to let the girls come to you, but eventually he is going to have to go in the car for a longer amount of time, so maybe it would help to nip it in the bud or at least work on it now, KWIM?

Message edited 9/13/2007 7:49:30 PM.

Re: Driving To Staten Island with a 2mnth old screamer - LONG - SORRY!!!

take the offer from the girls or mom. why put yourself through the horror?!

Re: Driving To Staten Island with a 2mnth old screamer - LONG - SORRY!!!

let them come to you..it will be easier fo you and Jack

Re: Driving To Staten Island with a 2mnth old screamer - LONG - SORRY!!!

I honestly don't know if I could go over a bridge yet with DDs, and they are great in the car. I would be too afraid of traffic - what if they woke up and wanted to eat and we were sitting there for an hour. I just couldn't do it and you know I go everywhere with them. I think you should either make them meet you very far west of here - somewhat of a 1/2 way point for all of you. If you do go, good luck!!!!

Re: Driving To Staten Island with a 2mnth old screamer - LONG - SORRY!!!

I don't know if this works for you, but I would feed him and put him in the seat when its time for him to nap. Even if its too early to leave, just hit the road kill time once you were there if you are early. Hopefully he would sleep for a good portion of the ride.
I have done this is the past, but Jacob doesn't freak in the carseat so I'm not sure it would work for you guys. I would also take your mom with you and have her sit or be able to jump into the back seat.

I would definitely try it...

Re: Driving To Staten Island with a 2mnth old screamer - LONG - SORRY!!!

Re: Driving To Staten Island with a 2mnth old screamer - LONG - SORRY!!!

We do have a mirror in the back - when he goes nuts...he couldn't care less about it.

I was planning on feeding him and then going. The problem is that he NEVER falls asleep in the car.

Oh - and - I have to drive with the windows down all of the time too. Can't wait for the winter!

Don't get me wrong - he is 100% better in the marathon carseat. If I still had the infant one there would be no way I would even contemplate going - but with the Marathon - he does have good days. But, with my luck he will make Sat. one of his bad ones.

I did want to go bc I really wanted to get a trip like this over with. The problem is, I wouldn't care at all if DH was with me - then I would sit in the back. But to go alone is what freaks me out.

Hopefully they will just come to me. I feel bad but they did suggest it so we'll see.

Re: Driving To Staten Island with a 2mnth old screamer - LONG - SORRY!!!

Re: Driving To Staten Island with a 2mnth old screamer - LONG - SORRY!!!

Let them come to you. A lot less stressful.

Re: Driving To Staten Island with a 2mnth old screamer - LONG - SORRY!!!

I'm from Staten Island and my parent's live there. I leave right after I feed DS and he usually sleeps most of the time. If we get stuck in bad traffic, sometimes he wakes and cries, but by that time, we're almost there. I also try to drive during off-peak hours to avoid as much traffice as possible.

Good luck!

Re: Driving To Staten Island with a 2mnth old screamer - LONG - SORRY!!!

I dont have advice other then Noah was the same way and I got the Boobblin Band by FP mirror and he loved it, it was liek the third or foourth one I tired.

He hated the car and would do what your saying Jack does.

It might have been the mirror ( he likes that it played music) Or he just got older. He just about 4 weeks started getting ok in the car.

So I truley think its a temp thing for youa nd I hope that helps.

Re: Driving To Staten Island with a 2mnth old screamer - LONG - SORRY!!!

DD is not a fan of the car either, and I can't imagine taking a big trip with her, although with all my family living upstate, I will have to sooner than later!!

I may be in the minority here, but I'd go and take your mom with you. That way, she's there if Jack (and you) needs her in the car, and if he's an angel on the trip, at least she was there just in case, and you know you can maybe take more trips alone with him now.

I say go with mom if you really want to go, to try it out. I'd take my mom if she didn't mind going!!!

Good luck

Re: Driving To Staten Island with a 2mnth old screamer - LONG - SORRY!!!

I don't think it is such a bad idea having your mom go with you but maybe just have her sit in the front and then if he starts acting up sit in the back that way he doesn't get use to someone back their.
Last week I traveled by myself with the 2 of them and they were good on the way their. I ended up sleeping at my in-laws and left the next morning. Well I pulled over twice on the Belt and then got off the exit before the Verazzano to feed DD again. Then she cried over teh Verazzano and I actually almost called my dad to tell him to meet me at his office (In SI) so he could go home with me and my brother could pick him up. She did stop cring once I got to the Outer Bridge.
Of course I am nervous for our next trip which is just for friends and not family.

Re: Driving To Staten Island with a 2mnth old screamer - LONG - SORRY!!!

Have them come to you.........OR go by yourself and bring lots of pictures!!



I am sure you need a day all to yourself