Evening star., 1950-10-27

To Mrs. D. j. A., Alexandria: l
see no reason on earth why your
pending trip shouldn't be just
about the most pleasant you have
made. I have just returned from
a 2,700-mile trip through the
Middle West with two children,
aged 3l2 and l year, so I am
speaking Cor writing) from ex-
perience.
First of all, would suggest that
you make the back seat of the car
into more of a bed than playpen.
We found that the crib mattress
went IN there easily, supported by
the folded-up playpen (Which use
will mention later, suitcases or
whatever else you may be taking.
This will be wonderful play area
and will allow for maps. Our two
gals alternately played there and
slept quite peacefully. giving us
the entire front seat to ourselves
covered the mattress with a crib
sheet, the fitted type is the best,
of course, and took a spare sheet
just in case. This was mostly to
protect the mattress.
AS for amusement, I took about
three favorite toys for each. and
before leaving raided the dime
store for several more toys for
each, keeping these out of sight
until such time as new diversion
might be needed. They were given
sparingly, and I might brag here
a little, and say that that was all
that was needed. They were
angels. You are more fortunate
than we, in having the stove and
ice box. If at times you want to
give the 1-year-old an extra
bottle and don't want to stop on
the road either at an eating place
or to use your stove, let me give
you a tip. something we learned
on our trip. Simply tuck the
bottle. nipple turned in of course,
under the seat by the heater a
little while before bottle time.
You will be amazed to find how
nice and warm it gets. In fact.
and this sounds foolish but it is
true, it got so warm one time
we had to hold it out the window
as we whizzed along to cool it off
a little.
Orange juice can be bought in
the can, especially prepared for
babies. and is ready to pour into
glass or bottle right from the can.
We found this big help.
Restaurants, diners and other
eating places were extremely
generous and kind ABOUT heating
bottles and baby food when we
stopped for meals. If your baby is
not already on three meals a day,
may I suggest that you try it be-
fore you leave. This will elimi-
nate extra stops. You all eat to-
gether. We even had picnic
lunches two or three times, and
they worked out perfectly.
I mentioned the play pen
earlier, and must explain before I
forget. The first reason for taking
1t along was to confine the baby
while we were visiting relatives;
you know how much mischief a
walking 1-year-old can get into.
However, it turned out that we
didn't use it there at all, but did
use it a great deal on the road
We stayed in tourist camps and
motels mostly (they being cheap
er and more convenient than no
tells, we found). Generally. there
are few or no accommodations
for children in that type of place.
Our baby slept in her playpen
many nights on the trip and went
to sleep just as easily and slept
just as comfortably all night, as
though she were in her own little
bed at home. The 3-year- old slept
on a rollaWay, or cot, or whatever
was in the room with a chair be-
side the bed to keep her from
falling out.
We also found that we all got
along better if we did little or no
night driving. The children were
quite ready to Jump out for few
hours when we stopped for dinner,
so we usually ate wherever we
were to stay for the night, stop
ping usually about 4::30 pm. or
S pm. Since you are planning to
be on the road two weeks, you
evidently are figuring on the same
idea. This is easy on the driver
as we'll as the children, I know
because despise night driving,
although I love it in daylight and
I did it all on our trip. My hus-
band does not like to drive at all,
So he took care of the children
and I did all the driving. A per-
feet arrangement for us.
Best of luck on your trip. You
should have a very pleasant time.
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you.
I am sending you through the
RICH game which you might like
to use. 1t is probably fun for
grownups as we'll as children. I
took it along with me but here
again, I must brag a little on the
behaviour of my 3-year-old. I
didn't have to use this game at
all. She was quite content to
mother" her doll baby and
watch the scenery, etc. Perhaps,
1t will work out the same for you.