Comments on: The car DVD player: peace and quiet, or complete chaos?

By: Rachel

Rachel — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:54:19 +0000

We didn’t have a dvd in our car until recently. We got it because our son needs to be entertained at all times or else he is fussy. He used to cry (and loud) on every trip in the car. Plus he hates to be strapped into his car seat or stroller for very long he likes to be out and about. Ever since we got the DVD player it’s been awesome. He just sits and watches, hardly makes a peep, and I can get to where I am going with minimal distractions. The only problem so far is that we got the DVD player after market so it doesn’t always work (just says loading) and my son won’t wear the head phones so I have to listen to his dvd’s over and over. But it’s worth it to not have a toddler screaming his head off to the point he makes himself puke every time we get into the car. Now if it is a simple trip just down the road I don’t put it on. I think it all depends on your kid whether it’s worth it or not. Every child is different. It works for us but it doesn’t for others. That’s just the way of it in my opinion.

By: Becky

Becky — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 23:52:16 +0000

We do long road trips 3-4 times a year (over 1000 miles one way) and all 3 of my kids get car sick — no coloring books, no reading, no anything that requires looking down. We do lots and lots of books on tapes but that DVD player has saved their lives more than once.

By: caramama

caramama — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:06:27 +0000

We did 11-hour car trips up and back to Cape Cod every summer. We played games with each other, sang along to tapes, read (kids don’t seem to get carsick the way adults do), and a whole host of other things. And took breaks when we needed to.

So I don’t see the need for the portable DVD players. My husband already insists we will need one, and our toddler is 16 months and won’t sit still for anything longer than 10 minutes! Of course, he never did many car trips growing up.

I think I’ll have him read this post. I just don’t think it’s for us. And I’m glad to hear someone else explain why.

caramamas last blog post..Question of the Week – Please Re-Phrase That

By: Sara

Sara — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 03:59:43 +0000

ty ty ty ty ty for writing this. I thought my kids were the only kids in the entire world with this problem. We were driving from Kentucky to Wyoming with a 16 month old and a 3 year old and so I bought two for the trip.

I was constantly switching the dvd’s my 3 year old ALWAYS wanted to watch what the baby was watching, on and on.

Well now that they are 5 and 3 I pulled them out again for a recent road trip.

I was actualy considering strangling them with the power cords for a second there. Finally I got out, took both players away and packed them never to be seen again.

The earphones even made it worse for me because then the kids would be shouting you know to hear themselves.

Saras last blog post..Looking up, literally

By: Mandy

Mandy — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 03:07:52 +0000

We have a portable DVD player for long trips, meaning it’s been hauled out for a total of two road trips in the last two years. For us, it’s been a god-send, but I had to laugh at your description of the process you underwent to entertain the kidlets. If I’d had that experience, I’d feel the same as you!

Mandys last blog post..An Oops

By: Assertagirl

Assertagirl — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 23:21:56 +0000

I find those things really distracting whenever I see them on the road around me. There’s nothing like watching an episode of the Simpsons while sitting at a red light! Dinky cars and colouring books worked fine when we were kids!

Assertagirls last blog post..Homecoming.

By: Lady M

Lady M — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 21:34:05 +0000

We used to make the drive to Southern California (8 hrs) overnight because Q-ster would sleep through it and we’d rather not mess up his sleep schedule. I don’t think I’m in good enough shape for all-nighters any more. And certainly not for a longer trip like you just did!

By: Aimee Greeblemonkey

Aimee Greeblemonkey — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 17:30:14 +0000

ouch. Sorry it didn’t work out so well. Next time I’ll keep my yap shut.

Aimee Greeblemonkeys last blog post..Declan’s new joke that he thinks is hilarious but really is not.

By: Amelia Sprout

Amelia Sprout — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 14:52:06 +0000

I land firmly in the you don’t need them camp. I can see the point when you may travel with kids alone, but I figure if my parents survived it, we can too. I definitely won’t ever get one installed in a car (not that I would ever drive a car that offered them, but that is another matter)
I hear they still make coloring books, lap desks, and that I Spy is still a playable game, and we’ll stick to that.
I’m gonna be the mom that makes other people’s kids eat veggies when they’re at my house, so I guess to each their own though.

Amelia Sprouts last blog post..I named the baby doll Hazel

By: Rachael

Rachael — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 06:00:42 +0000

I get touchy about this one too. Yeah, it is possible that a car DVD player will make your kid quiet, and make things easier for you. But does that really make the car trip better? Hard to say. They still talk through the whole thing. Or, maybe they act like my six year old sister watching her DVD with headphones and keep shushing everyone b/c they can’t hear the DVD. ARGH!

What bothers me even more is when I see people at restaurants with portable DVD players letting their kids watch TV at the table while they ignore their kids and eat their dinner. WTH?