Comments on: What I Learned on My Road Trip http://www.girldetective.net/?p=3970 Reading, Writing, Movies and Mothering in Minneapolis, Mostly Fri, 15 May 2026 15:17:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: weirleader http://www.girldetective.net/?p=3970&cpage=1#comment-23273 weirleader Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:22:23 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=3970#comment-23273 (1) I second the 4am approach (not that it's reasonable, but because it's the only time I can imagine Chicago being *remotely* driveable); (2) curse you for mentioning Mahna Mahna!!! (it is now firmly entrenched in my head for the remainder of the day!!) ;-) (1) I second the 4am approach (not that it’s reasonable, but because it’s the only time I can imagine Chicago being *remotely* driveable);

(2) curse you for mentioning Mahna Mahna!!! (it is now firmly entrenched in my head for the remainder of the day!!) ;-)

]]> By: girldetective http://www.girldetective.net/?p=3970&cpage=1#comment-23238 girldetective Thu, 14 Jul 2011 21:21:32 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=3970#comment-23238 Car seats are a perfectly respectable thing to have respect for, so no need to apologize for being safer. You're basing your decision on your set of particular circs, and that makes a lot of sense. Car seats are a perfectly respectable thing to have respect for, so no need to apologize for being safer. You’re basing your decision on your set of particular circs, and that makes a lot of sense.

]]> By: Kate http://www.girldetective.net/?p=3970&cpage=1#comment-23237 Kate Thu, 14 Jul 2011 21:18:46 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=3970#comment-23237 My husband and I are toying with that. The main reason is that he JUST hit 40lbs this week and is very petite. As in, tiny little bones and virtually no hips. He is a very small 7 year old (he's always been a very small X year old). Right now around town/off the highway he's in a booster. It's that we'll be on the highway the whole time, including the Penna Turnpike which I'm always nervous to drive anyway. Really, though? Carseats are one of the places where my paranoia landed. My husband and I are toying with that. The main reason is that he JUST hit 40lbs this week and is very petite. As in, tiny little bones and virtually no hips. He is a very small 7 year old (he’s always been a very small X year old). Right now around town/off the highway he’s in a booster. It’s that we’ll be on the highway the whole time, including the Penna Turnpike which I’m always nervous to drive anyway.

Really, though? Carseats are one of the places where my paranoia landed.

]]> By: girldetective http://www.girldetective.net/?p=3970&cpage=1#comment-23236 girldetective Thu, 14 Jul 2011 20:31:21 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=3970#comment-23236 Kate, why not switch the elder to a booster for the trip? Putting both in boosters is part of the steep uptick in our quality of life now that they can strap in and out themselves. Kate, why not switch the elder to a booster for the trip? Putting both in boosters is part of the steep uptick in our quality of life now that they can strap in and out themselves.

]]> By: Kate http://www.girldetective.net/?p=3970&cpage=1#comment-23234 Kate Thu, 14 Jul 2011 17:48:31 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=3970#comment-23234 These are all great suggestions. We travel A LOT by car, but I have to say, I'm getting overwhelmed by an upcoming trip to Pittsburgh on my own with both boys (about 6 hours, followed by a 9 hour day the next day, but with another adult). We have a van, so reaching back while driving isn't an option. Both boys are in five point harnesses, so getting the 7-year-old to help is of limited utility. My plan is to pack very carefully, and ensure both have toys and drinks in reach. The DVD player will likely be employed much of the time. As for Chicago--I can't tell you how many times I've sat in that traffic. My joke about my family and friends from southern Wisconsin and Chicago surrounds is that if you are ever at a loss for words after meeting someone from the region, just ask how to get through (or around) Chicago traffic. I think I've spent hours talking and listening to the best approaches, but let's just say that mid-day (did you go through the Loop or around? Can you believe those tolls? Do you have an iPass? See? Even I can't not talk about it) is rarely the solution. My uncle leaves WI around 3am Central time to get to Thanksgiving at our house in Michigan. Apparently at 4am on Thanksgiving day, Chicago traffic is very light. ;) These are all great suggestions. We travel A LOT by car, but I have to say, I’m getting overwhelmed by an upcoming trip to Pittsburgh on my own with both boys (about 6 hours, followed by a 9 hour day the next day, but with another adult). We have a van, so reaching back while driving isn’t an option. Both boys are in five point harnesses, so getting the 7-year-old to help is of limited utility. My plan is to pack very carefully, and ensure both have toys and drinks in reach. The DVD player will likely be employed much of the time.

As for Chicago–I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat in that traffic. My joke about my family and friends from southern Wisconsin and Chicago surrounds is that if you are ever at a loss for words after meeting someone from the region, just ask how to get through (or around) Chicago traffic. I think I’ve spent hours talking and listening to the best approaches, but let’s just say that mid-day (did you go through the Loop or around? Can you believe those tolls? Do you have an iPass? See? Even I can’t not talk about it) is rarely the solution. My uncle leaves WI around 3am Central time to get to Thanksgiving at our house in Michigan. Apparently at 4am on Thanksgiving day, Chicago traffic is very light. ;)

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