Whats your take on DVD players in the car?

We just got a new truck and it was basically fully loaded since it was demo but it didn't have a dvd player. I didn't want one but DH did. I really didnt want to continue argueing with him so I said fine I can still control whether or not they watch it. The finance woman at Nissan said it is a life saver for her and so did my SIL, they both have 3 kids. I can understand taking long trips that last 3-4 hours but I really dont understand keeping it on if you are just sitting in traffic. I feel like they wont learn how to be patient in the car. Am I being naive in thinking that? We never had any movies in the car growing up.

Re: Whats your take on DVD players in the car?

I agree with you. It would be good for long trips but for everyday use I wouldn't put it on.

Re: Whats your take on DVD players in the car?

Re: Whats your take on DVD players in the car?

Re: Whats your take on DVD players in the car?

We bought a portable one for the car over the summer (so he was like 1.5 yrs.). We opted to do portable so we can use it on vacations/airplanes - things like that. We only use it in the car for long trips - like a hour or more. Don't see the point for everyday use. But definitely comes in handy for holiday traffic trips or longer car rides when we don't expect him to sit happily for an hour or when we don't wnat him to fall asleep yet.

Message edited 3/20/2007 8:50:54 AM.

Re: Whats your take on DVD players in the car?

I agree with you. There's no need for a tv to be with them everywhere they go, kids can deal with no tv.

For a long trip-I would only do it if it was more than 3-4 hours, maybe.

Kids watch way too much tv these days and don't use their imaginations. There's plenty of other games to play in the car that don't have to do with a tv.

Personally I dislike those DVD players so much when they are on in cars/trucks/vans, it's such a distraction to other drivers around you on the road.
JMO.

Re: Whats your take on DVD players in the car?

So what truck did you finally go with?? DId you get the Aspen??

I don't think its necessary for trips to the store but agree with everyone else that its great for longer trips.

Re: Whats your take on DVD players in the car?

Re: Whats your take on DVD players in the car?

I actually did not want it in our Pilot. Maybe if we were doing 5+ hour drive I can see it, but even for our trips up to MA I didn't want it. I think the car rides are nice to talk together, sing silly songs, the kids take a nap. Everyday use would be a no-no for me. The car is a great place to talk to your child about their day, what is going on in their lives etc...I don't want Sponge Bob to be their best friend.

Re: Whats your take on DVD players in the car?

our next car we are getting one.

Re: Whats your take on DVD players in the car?

My van has one built in. Like you said, on long drives, it is a Godsend.

We only use it if we are travelling an hour or more.

We planned a LONG road trip to NC at the end of May, so you know that puppy will be on in full force!

Otherwise, no. We don't use it.

Re: Whats your take on DVD players in the car?

I agree with you. I don't want DD to require TV/Video to be entertained. I want her to be able to entertain herself. What ever happened to singing songs, counting trucks, and just plain looking out of the windows? It may be nice to have for long trips, but not necessary.

Re: Whats your take on DVD players in the car?

Re: Whats your take on DVD players in the car?

We got one and it is a lifesaver for us when the kids come home from daycare. Without it they would fall aslpee on the way home and if they slept in the 15 mintue car ride they would not nbap for the rest of the day. My dh ahs a hard time keeping them both up, since one is behind him. We thought we would only use it for long trips but now we use it all the time. They are fine when in my car without it though, they don't miss it, but if they see the screens they want it on.

Re: Whats your take on DVD players in the car?

Posted by joenick

My van has one built in. Like you said, on long drives, it is a Godsend.

We only use it if we are travelling an hour or more.

We planned a LONG road trip to NC at the end of May, so you know that puppy will be on in full force!

Otherwise, no. We don't use it.

Re: Whats your take on DVD players in the car?

I agree on the long car trip use... we are looking to get it in our next car, but they tuck away when not in use. Im sure it wont be easy to hide when they are 3, but we will have the minimum 1 or 2 hour rule. The trip has to be atleast that long...

Re: Whats your take on DVD players in the car?

I'm with the rest of you on the idea of using it for long trips. I have a portable one and will probably actually start out the trips with it in the trunk and then after the first stop will put it on. That way, there can still be some interaction with them before they get bored of sitting in the car. I may be naive, but this is my plan at this point in time.

Re: Whats your take on DVD players in the car?

We just bought a portable one for the car, since we are taking a twelve hour car trip. I would not want one for everyday use. I think you miss out on precious time to have conversations with your children, especially whne they are school age. Nothing like having a captive audience.

Re: Whats your take on DVD players in the car?

We have a portable one and it is only for really long drives or on the airplane and we travel a lot. I think it is ridiculous to pacify a child with TV becasue they won't learn patience or self control.

On this note, not sure if this has hit LI yet, but here in Ohio, the grocery stores now have TV carts. Yes, you pay $5 to rent a cart while you shop that plays the Wiggles or Barney in the front seat. ABSURD! What kind of example is that if a child cannot sit and behave for an hour or less in the grocery store.

Re: Whats your take on DVD players in the car?

we have a portable one that we use for long trips.

Hmm, never thought of this. I DO Wish I had one installed in my van and will most def get one in the next car we get.
But I guess I gotta agree with kids not being so obsessed with TV all the time

We play lots of games in the car as we drive. Looking for letters, words, colors. I talk to them about the laws and rules that even adults have to follow
so now I have my toddlers yelling at me if I dont come to a COMPLETE stop at a stop sign

Re: Whats your take on DVD players in the car?

I agree with you, long trips only. It's a bad enough habit to have it on all the time at home, why does it have to be on in the car too.

Re: Whats your take on DVD players in the car?

We have only used it for long trips - like our ride from LI to FL
Thank God for it!!

Re: Whats your take on DVD players in the car?

Friends of ours have a portable DVD player that they take to restaurants to keep their son occupied/behaved.

No thank you! I'd much rather teach Ella how to behave in a restaurant then rely on a DVD player at all times.

Granted, I could see it being useful at times - like long car rides.

Re: Whats your take on DVD players in the car?

i only use it on long trips but we drove down to virginia this summer and IT WAS a lifesaver!!!!

Re: Whats your take on DVD players in the car?