I find myself to be an optimistic person- the glass is usually the half-full type of gal. Until recently when my family and I had taken a family vacation: A 10 hour car ride with three children 6 and under traveling through 4 different states to visit various attractions and family members.
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Yes- the thought of that type of traveling may make you sick to your stomach and leave a sour taste in your mouth for the next week. And I do understand that from the outside looking in I may need a straight jacket with a rubber round room to accompany my mom sized-ego.
Would you believe me if I told you that keeping the kids occupied during the ride was the least of my worries? Hello to portable DVD players and sticker books and “Uh- come on now” to potty training!
If there is one aspect of my personality (or flaw as my husband will vouch for) is that I am stubborn. I understand that my little man is not 100% (what I would consider-to-be) potty trained. He is very skilled at peeing on command but lacks in telling me when he has the urge to go on his own.
So, unless I am on top of his business he will have an accident. Rest assured he does tell me AFTER the fact that he needs to go when he is soaked in urine. We simply need to fine-tune his timing! Long story short- I refused to put him in diapers for the road trip!
By now you may be wiping the sweat off of your brow and begin to mutter the words- what did you do to prevent accidents while in the car???
Here are three tips from the trenches that I can share with you:
1. {And the most important} limit liquids. We took breaks every two hours from driving and stretched our legs and bladders for a half an hour or so at a time. About twenty minutes before we were going to make a stop I allowed my toddler a non-sugary drink (aka water). Can’t get your little one to drink water? I suggest extremely watering down the juice (sugary drinks such as juice can loosen bowels if taken in high amounts). Limit this source of liquid to no more than 6 ounces.
2. Too scared about the no diaper thing when you know no potty is in sight? Remember that changing pad you used to use? Tuck that under your little one to protect the car seat while on the road.
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3. At your rest stop take your youngster straight to the bathroom- first thing. Hang out for twenty minutes or so and have them go again to help empty his bladder. I refrained from any major liquids during the rest stops knowing that we would be back on the road again for two hours before we were able to stop again.
There you have it. 10 hours from point A to point B (well, 12 hours with scheduled stops). And another on the way back and only one accident due to an upset belly from eating like a vacationer.
Have you traveled with your not-so-potty trained toddler? What worked for you?
