As if there wasn't anything else more important for us to worry about (war, crime, kidnappings, when to start solids), we're forced to listen to "the experts" tell us that television for kids before three is bad. Even Elizabeth Edwards mentioned how bad it was in her closing session at BlogHer.
Terribly horrible. Stop immediately. Proceed to entertain your children with toys mothers since you have no need to get anything done in the house or need any time to yourself.
Whatever. I'm over it. So are these people. (Finally!)
My kid isn't staring at the screen all day long, nor is she watching any questionable material (although on some days I'd like to throw Elmo through the window - with tender love, of course).
And honestly, many moms that I have spoken with agree with me.
Just don't put a DVD player in your car.
I have to say the first thing I thought of when I knew we would be driving to Atlanta was a portable DVD player. And since we'll be doing a bit of flying, I'm pretty sure it would work well then too. But OH the stigma.
It seems people use every excuse to yell "lazy parent" these days. Kid leashes = lazy. DVDs in cars = lazy.
And while I can see an argument with having a DVD running non-stop in your car, for a long trip I think it's genius. Particularly this one. (How's that for strategic product placement?). But clearly, there are a few things that I wanted.
*Non-slip so I could put it on the center console so she could watch hands free and hopefully sleep.
*Swivel screen (just because it's cool)
*Remote control so I could restart it while driving, talking on the phone, and eating french fries.
Add a car charger, easy operating system, and a clear screen and you've got one perfect traveling dvd player.
We did have a little trouble with the overzealous play memory, but if that's the only issue, then I'm perfectly happy recommending it to everyone and anyone who wants to know about it.
And I will proudly say that the Insignia Personal DVD Player saved my sanity during this trip. Now if they only made a portable vacuum cleaner.
So, what say you? Do you have a DVD player in your car? Short trips, long trips, or both? And what's your rationale?
I'm all conflicted about tv in general. Sam doesn't watch much with me, but dad and his auntie would keep the thing on all damn day. I'm realistic enough to know that once baby #2 gets here (and god will she ever hurry up?) I'll probably turn to the tube with more frequency. I just don't want him to get addicted to a whole host of licensed characters!
As far as in the car goes, we've decided to wait. At 18 months, I doubt Sam could make it through a movie anyway. But once we're in Philly, we're going to be making frequent drives back and forth to Pittsburgh, about 4.5 hours, so we might consider one then.
Welcome, by the way! Hope you're getting all settled in and that your AC is powerful!
Posted by: Amy Jo | 08/13/2007 at 05:18 AM
Y'know, last year they said no tv before 2yrs. I'm fairly certain they're keeping track of how old my son is and upping the ante, just to piss me off. Well NO MORE! My newest little one gets lots of tv (yay Noggin!) and screw anyone who says I'm not a good mother for giving him much needed time away from brain-wave activity!
We don't have a dvd player in the car, and don't plan on ever having one. I figure, by the time the boys can understand that it's a possibility, they're old enough to read a damned book or play some math puzzles. If they're too young and just being cranky then they have to listen to Mommy sing, badly. Or we count things or I just tell them to look at the cars! Look! CARS! See? BIIIG truck!
Posted by: Kelly | 08/13/2007 at 07:23 AM
I let my 4 year old son watch some TV, but I do make sure what he is watching is appropriate and I don't let him sit in front of the TV all day long. As far as the car goes, we have a portable DVD player. We usually only use it on longer trips. I think on longer trips (like visiting grandma 3 hours away) it is a lifesaver!!!
Posted by: Tanyia | 08/13/2007 at 07:28 AM
Yes, we have a portable DVD player. We usually only use it for long trips, like to Grandmas house or vacation drives.
My rationale.....screw the experts and "F" all the parenting books. 9 times out of 10 parenting books and "experts" have given me sorry advice that backfired in my face. So now I've vowed to the exact OPPOSITE of what an "expert" says to do.
Posted by: Heather | 08/13/2007 at 07:43 AM
No DVD player in the car. But don't be misled - the other three members of this household would watch TV 24/7 if I didn't turn it off. The refusal to allow TV anywhere but the family room is my last stand.
Posted by: mothergoosemouse | 08/13/2007 at 10:45 AM
We got a DVD in our most recently purchased Honda Odyssey and I can tell you that it's one of the best purchases we have ever made. I can actually enjoy driving and having a conversation with my wife now. Is the enhancement of my marriage worth it? You betcha!
We buy old TV show DVDs and they love it. Their favorite is the Andy Griffith show.They can watch episode after episode.
Posted by: Joel | 08/13/2007 at 12:58 PM
Now, I'm for the DVD in the car-- for long 5 or more hour road trips only-- but my kids don't watch any at home. They both had some tough times as tots, learning to entertain themselves, but now, at 3 & 6 they're fine. They don't miss the tv because they've never had one to know what its like. We own one, and when they come home from school and start wanting to watch some pop culture show they've heard about, I'll probably let them (within reason). But it hasn't happened yet.
Posted by: Jill | 08/13/2007 at 01:22 PM
I am embarrassed to say we have a DVD in the car. We bought it for a long road trip and then just kept it in car. I work 25 miles from home and when I am sitting in traffic that damn DVD player is a life saver.
We watch tv at home, too. When in the world would I get all the house work done and have time to sit and relax without it? As long as it is not all day and night, an hour or so each day can't be that bad, right?
I mean, Mae would not be able to say backpack or Mickey without the glorious thing.
Posted by: Trish | 08/13/2007 at 08:02 PM
We bought a portable DVD player for the trip to BlogHer, and it was a wonderful thing.
I don't mind portable DVD players, as long as they're used for things like car rides, and not to entertain a child while at a restaurant.
Posted by: Christina | 08/13/2007 at 08:39 PM
We got a portable DVD player for the cross-country flight to visit family, and boy was it a life-saver when my husband and toddler were stranded overnight at a layover point and the airline didn't give them any of their baggage.
Posted by: Lady M | 08/13/2007 at 10:04 PM
We have a portable DVD player that we use for trips to MA from NC.
5 minutes after we pulled out of the driveway on our trip up to MA in July my 4 year old asked "Are we almost there?" I kid you not.
Posted by: Beth_C | 08/14/2007 at 04:08 AM
I was against DVD players in the car. I was of the camp that said my kids should find ways to entertain themselves while in the car. Well, that is easier said than done, especially when it is the only time mommy and daddy get to talk without a small human interupting. Besides, I am more able to focus on the road if I dont have to constant fetch a fallen toy, snack or ask my daughter to please stop yelling.
When we bought the 2004 Suburban the DVD player was already installed. Even better it came with wireless headphones, so I didnt have to listen to the movie my daughter was watching. I could drive and listen to the radio, which is made for a much calmer mommy at the wheel.
We did make a rule, no DVDs unless the ride was an hour or longer. I have seen kids watching movies on the way to school. And yes, some may consider it a long ride at 40 minutes(our drive to school), I think my daughter can deal without a movie. So that time is used for talking, staring out windows and listening to the radio (Thank God for XM).
The DVD player was a god send when we were stuck in evacaution traffic (14 hours to Houston from New Orleans=no fun for anyone). It kept the little one busy and the nervous adults didnt have to deal with her constant cries of boredom.
At the moment my son is still rear-facing so he doesnt get to watch DVDs. He seems to have occupied himself by screaming, sleeping and throwing various items inside the vehicle.
Posted by: Wendy | 08/14/2007 at 06:46 PM
I must say, we just bought a used car, and I seriously considered having them add the ($1500.00!!!) DVD player and rolling it into the cost of the thing. Steve keeps telling me that he never had a DVD player in the car growing up, and he is fine. To which I reply... "It's NOT for HER, it's for ME" And, while my sanity is probably not worth 1500 bucks, I'm sure getting a cheaper one. because a few hours of peace on a long car ride is worth A LOT to me!
(oh, and a friend of mine has one with two screens, that strap to the back of the seats, so her littlest one can watch while rear facing on their long car rides. )
Posted by: Eryn | 08/15/2007 at 06:55 AM
I'm okay with DVD players in cars, but I worry a little when it seems like you can't drive three blocks over to the grocery store without something going in the player. But that's me.
Posted by: Bethiclaus | 08/15/2007 at 08:45 AM