I have a 15 month old dd and a 3 1/2 year old ds. We spend quite a bit of time in the car because we live 30 minutes from everything. It's pretty much torture for all of us. My 15 month old gets crabby and makes grunts/yells. Her brother then breaks into a chorus of unholy screams and whining, all while kicking the back of my seat. This can go on for the entire car ride. I make sure that both of them are fed before we start the trip. I try to provide entertainment, but my 15 month old just uses toys as projectile weapons. I try to play fun music, but it's difficult to hear over the howling. My last resort is singing to them, but the edge of hysteria in my voice ruins the effect.

The problem is that my 15 month old's complaints aggravate my son beyond reason. I hear a lot of "she's making ugly noises at meeeeeeee!" (Screeched.) "she's whining at meeeee!!!!" (moaned.) Trying to punish him is pointless, because like I said, he's beyond reason. Which, by the way, I understand completely because I'm right there with him. I've tried taking away privileges, but by the time we arrive home, he's pretty much lost everything he owns until the next day, when it happens all over again.

("If you kick my chair again, no more train today." kick kick "Fine, no more train."SCREEEEECH "If you scream one more time, no more books today." SCREEEEAM. "Fine, no more books" etc.) I am very consistent about following through with punishments.

I tried buying my son a pair of hearing protection headphones at home depot. The problem is that they are big on him and he can still hear her. He was happy for about 2 days. Once the novelty wore off, we were right back where we started.

What else can I do? I can't figure out how to keep dd from starting, or how to keep ds from joining her. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks, mamas.
Rebecca

Oh Rebecca, i hear you on the car noise (LOL) I have a 3 yr old and a 6 yr old and i get this she's bothering me stuff. Will they listen to the music in the car of not at all? Is the baby crying right away when you always get in the car? Not sure what advice to give. The kids always loved music. Will soft dolls work? I was thinking a playsilk but probably not a good idea w/ you not being able to watch. I hope that you get some good suggestions.