Ain't No Cure for the Summertime Car-Seat Blues

See the happy baby? Oh, sure, he's smiling now. But once he's buckled into the backseat of the car? That smile will turn to tears. Fact is, GrandBoy does not like his car-seat. Or rather, GrandBoy does not like being strapped in, facing backward and out of what he perceives to be where the action is. Yes, he has plenty of dangly, rattly toys within grasp and a mirror with which to entertain himself, but he is not a happy camper once firmly affixed in his high-tech safety car-seat.

And he lets you know it. Anyone who's ever spent time around babies and small children knows that they have an almost infinite capacity for crying. Loudly. That 20-minute rule (that babies cry themselves out within 20 minutes) is a myth. Face it, it's the only real power they have as infants, except for their extreme cuteness. They're too small and rubbery to haul off and give you a good kick when they're upset about something. So Liam gets very vocal about being strapped into a car-seat or stroller.

True, if you drive around long enough (i.e., longer - often, much longer - than 20 minutes), he'll wear himself out and fall asleep. Then woe be to the pothole or screaming siren that disturbs his cry-induced slumber! Still, we're praying he'll get used to the car/stroller sooner or later. I don't have any particular memories of his mama throwing car-seat fits (and she always loved the stroller), but maybe I've blanked out those episodes. And, yes, she finally got used to being strapped in whenever we got in a car.

My advice is just to block out the car-crying by plugging in the iPod and letting him cry himself to sleep. Daughter and Son-in-Law will need all the help they can get when they strike out for a wedding in Connecticut in a couple of weeks. Maybe a long road-trip will help GrandBoy get used to cruisin' in the backseat, watching the scenery fly by his window. Otherwise, crank up the tunes!

Anyone have suggestions for traveling (driving, not flying) with an infant? I'm sure Mama and Daddy would welcome any tricks of the the trade before heading north.