Submitted by CarlyMeyer on

Road Trip

Categories
Lifestyle
Here we go! My one and only, amazing son and I are taking a 12 hour road trip to visit family in Illinois. Just he and I, the open road, snacks and lots of conversation. Many years ago, 19 or so, I placed my son in the backseat of my car at 9pm and drove through the night, peaking into the Chicago skyline at about 5am the next day. We arrived at Mom’s by 7am and Patrick was ready to play. The drive feels much more daunting than I remember. Jumping into the car, driving across the country felt liberating and adventurous. Now, it feels like a very, long drive. However, I am very much, looking forward to spending quality time with my boy. Any recommendations or advice for the journey?

Comments

Fred Klein

Being alone in car with child for an extended period is a unique bonding opportunity if played right. Nice and easy does it...
Shelley Simpson

It will be fun! Make sure to know where the bathrooms are and the rest will be easy. Having enjoyed more than a few road trips with my boys, I learned to let them decide some of the snacks and entertainment. Learning to sit in silence with each other exchanging an occasional smile was as valuable as the conversation. Enjoy!
Daniel Schwartz

Keep it light and let the conversation flow naturally. If a topic comes up that gets little interest, move on. As Shelley stated, sometimes the quiet times are the best. Also let each other pick the place to stop and eat at every other rest stop. Makes it fun and a thing to do if looking for a specific place you enjoy. My wife likes Cracker Barrel, I love dirty and greasy Waffle House when traveling down south, so if she gets her's then I get mine.
Nancy Schess

That sounds amazing Carly. Quality time with your son. My advice -- come up with agreed playlists. My husband and my son recently did the trip down to school together to move out of the dorm and my son set up playlists that kept them singing all the way there. They had a great time. Enjoy!
Kelly Welles

This will be a memorable experience for both of you. Predict it will flow, including quiet interludes.. Remember the artful power of questions. Hoping you are setting off early this time. I found CVS & Staples have nice restrooms. And McDonald’s drive-thrus or curb-side delivery easiest. Happy trails!
Victoria Drogin

Lovely. Some quiet time. The most surprising things start flowing. I remember one drive with my daughter back from Virginia where we were visiting a friend. We were mostly quiet for the 5 Hour Dr., until we hit our neighborhood, then a conversation started that lasted for another hour and a half. I just kept driving. Wouldn’t have traded it for the world.
Carly Bentley

Sitting and smiling—love that. Sometimes words aren’t necessary
Carly Bentley

Great idea!! I’ll have Patrick look up our stops along the way

Add new comment

Restricted HTML

  • Allowed HTML tags: <a href hreflang> <em> <strong> <cite> <blockquote cite> <code> <ul type> <ol start type> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <h2 id> <h3 id> <h4 id> <h5 id> <h6 id>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.