I love driving at night. Let me rephrase that, I love being driven around at night by my husband with the kiddos snuggled quietly in their respective car seats. These night time drives have become a ritual of sorts for our family. Whenever I feel the need to break up the monotony of the bed time routine or whenever every one seems a bit grumpy, I often pipe up with “who wants to go for a drive?”
This question is unanimously answered with a resounding “I do!” save for my husband who realizes he just committed an hour of his time chauffeuring his family around and that he may be the only one awake at the end of it. Still, he complies because he knows how much I love these night drives. I don’t really know why. I just do.
Driving through the darkness, we enjoy the city lights, the headlights, and soon the Christmas lights, all from the warmth and comfort of our car. This relative quiet is like a mini sanctuary to me. After Big Brother and Little Sister get settled in and are reminded to keep the volume to a dull roar, the peace washes over me and I can relax.
It’s intimate even though I usually prefer minimal conversation. But, we are all there together in this confined space, watching the world around us, pointing out stars, cars, and trucks. It feels nice…to just drive…with nowhere really to go.
By the time we reach home again, the kids have usually been lulled to sleep by the gentle hum of the car and background music. I love watching my husband scoop Big Brother up out of his seat, something we’ve been doing for the past 5 years except now his tiny baby body is replaced by a boy with long arms and dangling legs, his mouth gaping open in the depth of his sleep. I see my husband strain a little as he lifts him up and I wonder how much time we have left with moments like these.
Little Sister who is not as easily lulled by these night drives, feigns sleep so she can be carried cautiously just like Big Brother up to her own room. I see her eyes quickly open and close waiting for me to scoop her up and make the trek upstairs with her, my sleeping baby girl. I play along and wrap her 3 year old arms around my neck and whisper “oh, my sleepy girl, let’s get you to bed”. I can’t see but I’m sure she is smiling.
Oh, how I love these night drives. To anywhere. We just drive.
Do you and your family enjoy taking drives together? Do you have a destination or do you just drive like us?
I love driving! Whether there's a destination or we're just exploring a new area, it's always fun! Even my daughter seems to like going for drives. There's just something soothing about long car rides!
I love to do this during the holidays.
I love driving around to look at Christmas lights! I actually do a drive around town at least once a week when my almost-three-year-old needs a nap
It knocks her out every time.
My kids do not fall asleep in the car (or, rather, rarely fall asleep in the car). I do love road trips, though, when we are all confined and excited about visiting family. I have such fond memories of road trips that I am going to force some longer ones on us in the coming summers!
Back when bedtimes were difficult for us (as in my son WOULD NOT sleep) we did this all the time. Loop after loop around the neighborhood. It was the only way he would fall asleep and the only way we could block our apartment neighbors from his crying. Now, bedtime is actually pleasant, so it's been a while since a bedtime drive for us.
That sounds like a nice little tradition. We don't do anything like that! But now that it's getting dark pretty early, my daughter and I do love admiring the holiday lights (many are up already) as we drive home from whatever activities she has!
We don't but now you make me WANT to! And you make me sad for not living by a big city! I love urban centers, ESPECIALLY at Christmastime!!
What a great family tradition and a fun memory builder! I like drives too but, like you, prefarably when my husband drives and only if the baby's happy now
That is so funny. I often tell my husband that I love going for a drive. He replies with "you hate driving" and I say- "yes but I am spoiled to have you as my chauffeur- and therefore it makes the whole going for a drive enjoyable".
Thanks for the follow- glad to be linked up with you now.
I love drives, too, especially when the Christmas decorations start appearing. We've turned it into quite the tradition during the holiday season, always giving proper recognition to EVERY decorated house we see, with thunderous applause (of the 4 of us) and "GOOD SHOW!!" exclaimed over and over by one and all. Yes, we do enjoy our drives. With no Wii games playing, no phones ringing, no TV on, no interruptions. Just our little family. Thanks for reminding me just how precious these moments are.
This was just so lovely. You will be glad you captured this in writing!
My oldest LOVES to ride in the car at night, too. There is something magical about a twilight drive.
My parents loved to take a drive with no particular destination. We did a lot of what you so eloquently wrote but I was the little girl pretending to be asleep. Now we only get in the car if there's some purpose. My husband is not a see-the-sights type of driver. I've adjusted, but I still cherish those few drives when she falls asleep in the car. That silent drive time is nice!
This is a great idea! I think it is something your children will always cherish! It is fun to change things up in the daily routine. Have a great night!
Mama Hen
Golly this is so sweet. I'm sure the kiddos will never forget those precious moments. LOL at your very sensible 3 year old daughter. I like long drives (but during the daytime) because I can't see anything at night. LOL. Anyway, I will keep this in mind for when I start having some little ones
What a great bedtime routine! And what an awesome husband!:)
This post is so incredibly sweet. I love those drives too, but only if we need to go somewhere (or come home from somewhere, even better).
I'm like you…I love being drive around. And drives at night, with the music playing? Awesome. Glad to know I'm not the only one who loves that sort of thing.
We especially love jumping in the car with pj's on, blankets, Xmas music on the radio, and looking at Xmas lights.
It's all so peaceful….and being in the moment.
That is one of the things I miss since my divorce.
Being driven around.
What a warm tradition to have!
I love your description of the sleeping (?) children! There does come a time where they become too big to carry in. It's great that you are enjoying the moment while you can.
And finding a way to take care of yourself.
Something we mothers often neglect.
I have friends whose children detest being strapped to the car seat, but I am a lucky mom of two active boys who suddenly go quiet when we go for a drive. It's one of the only times we can listen to NPR news or have some coherent and uninterrupted adult conversation. Needless to say, I LOVE drives with the kids.
We have a tradition to drive around and look at holiday lights right before Christmas. We've been doing it for thirteen years, since our son's first Christmas.
Oh we are just the opposite we all hate driving. I swear my babies were the only ones who screamed bloody murder the moment they got in the car and it has only gotten a little better!
I guess our relaxing time is turning out the lights and snuggling up on the couch together with lots of blankets and pillows. Usually they all fall asleep within the hour.
You make the drive sound wonderful, though!
Hate driving. Especially with the kids. Who whine. And complain.
Maybe it's just the two, 4000 mile trips with four surly teens that have turned me off.
I used to like night drives when I lived in a city. Now I live in Tiny Town, and the drive would be too short to make it worth it!
Even though I'm not a huge fan of driving, that sounds so relaxing. Especially since your hubby is the one doing the driving.
I love drives, too. And road trips. But even short drives just to see where you end up are fun.
I love driving with the family in the car. Driving a colicky one around kept my sanity a few times…
We take nice, long driving vacations and I love it!
We do this, too! Sometimes having everyone buckled in one place, far enough apart in the van that they can't touch each other, is the only ounce of sanity I can grasp! There have been many times we've driven our middle and youngest babies to get them to sleep (eldest not so much…she vomited every time we got in the car until she was old enough to face forward. Every. Time.), and though I never fall asleep, I do revel in the quiet.
middleofmommyhood.blogspot.com