How I am keeping my sanity intact while travelling with a toddler in the car

So you have bought the world’s most comfortable car seat, made sure you have scheduled your travelling plans around baby’s nap time, ensured her tummy is filled, she is in the best of moods, her favourite toys and snacks are packed but only to have your eardrums throb in pain just 10 minutes after you have started your car engine because of her wails.

If you have nodded your head vigorously after reading the first paragraph, I would like to cordially welcome you to my club which is called ‘My Baby Hates the Car Seat’. Pebbles absolutely loathes it. She will be in La La Land for good ten minutes before she turns into mini hulk as she tries to squirm her way out of it while screaming her head out. Her screams alone can win an Academy Award as they are really LOUD and can be used in any horror movies.

So I have tried all the tricks in the book to make her ‘journeys’ comfortable but they have failed MISERABLY. Therefore this post is for those who are in the same predicament as me. What do you do to maintain your sanity?

Firstly, DO NOT REMOVE the child from the car seat. An absolute NO. Once you do that, their cries will only get louder the next time they are strapped in because they know you will give in. The car seat is installed for your child’s safety so do not compromise with that.

Secondly, take a long deep breath. Although your child is wailing in the background, taking in long breaths would help to suppress the rising stress level and maintain a cool head.

Next, play your favourite song on the player. Crank up the volume and sing along. If you are not driving, just do some groovy moves with your hands. You would feel more relaxed and probably your baby would too. I can’t count the number of times, other drivers have caught me dancing like a mad woman in the car (Hubby was driving and I swear he acted as though he didn't know me)

However, if your baby or in my case toddler decides to be the only ‘sound provider’ in the car, turn the player off and be completely silent; you and whoever else is in the car with you. When you hear the slightest sound, just say ‘Sshh’ loudly, with your finger on your lips. Your child might think you are playing a game and will soon stop or even imitate you.

If baby  continues to wail, stretch your arm backwards (if you are sitting in the front) and place your hand on her chest, apply slight pressure and reassure her that you are there and everything is OK. This can only be done if you are not driving. Please don’t be a hero by  doing that with one hand on the steering wheel and the other on your baby’s chest!

Lastly, repeat this after me; “This too shall pass. Better days are ahead’. Trust me they are. Don’t let the mini dictator in the car seat defeat you! Pebbles is going to be 17 months old soon and the ‘civil war’ I have with her in the car seat is yet to end but I shall persevere!

And in the meantime, if you have smug parents and relatives who 'boast' about their angels in the car seat, go ahead and 'mentally' punch them. The key word is mentally, guys :)

Image from Google

Driving

I absolutely hate driving.It all started when it took me forever to pass the exams (I failed at parking twice) then when I started to drive in Ipoh while studying Form 6, I had a minor accident,  a few years later, my sister, Hazel was involved in an accident that was pretty bad but she was OK albeit two front teeth :P and then I met my husband who drove me everywhere.

You see, while my sister still drove after the accident and can even ride a motorcycle now, I still cringe at the idea of being on the road along with other drivers and the scary motorcyclists simply because I am a bad driver. I don't have blind spots, I have a blind range. When I drive, no one can speak to me and there is no way I would text or pick up a call because my eyes will be darting from the side and rear mirrors. Most of the time, I would not have the radio on too. On average, I drive about 3 times a year when it is ABSOLUTELY necessary (of course after much whining and pouting) I am totally cool with taking a taxi or public transportation to anywhere I want to go (I am sure you want to knock my head now)

But yeah, that is how I am. I don't have a phobia towards driving it's just that I don't enjoy driving. Many women equate driving to freedom (which I can't fathom) so they think I am being primitive by not driving. Well everyone has a right to an opinion right?

So life was going all fine when one fine day God decided to make me drive.You see, I have signed up for a translation class which is held in Wangsa Maju and we live at Old Klang Road (so freaking far, OK) Worst part is the class is for 2 long weeks and hubby said I needed to drive :( as he obviously had work to do and couldn't possible drive his loving wife back and forth. He was sweet enough to send and fetch me for 2 days and on the third day, I was supposed to drive Pippa's car but her car battery died. I thought God didn't want me to drive so hubby had to send the gleeful me.

He made sure the car was in tip top condition; filled up the tank, topped up the Smart Tag card and parked it nicely for me so I can drive without having to maneuver from the parking space. Darn! So I drove today and it was a stressful journey. Got lost and made frantic phone calls to hubby.Really thought he would say 'Come home darling, I'll send you' but NO! He calmly gave me instructions so I said a prayer and trudged along. I reached safely and had to take 2 Panadols to cure my headache due to stress. You see what driving does to me!!! And now it is raining!!! Going to pray extra hard that it'll stop soon.

Before you think I am a spoiled brat, let me tell you that I really don't enjoy driving! It is no fun for me. I was born to day dream in the car, to read billboards and mentally calculate all the number plates so I can enhance my arithmetic skills. So if you see an overly stressed out, specky, mumbling-to-herself lady driver (no I am not going to give you my car number and model), it is probably me so just wave and drive on.

Oh dear, one day down (OK, half day) and 6 more days to go! I guess I have increased the number of times I have driven this year... Yay! (Unenthusiastically)

Picture taken after I have parked..Duh!