Spinoff to TVs at the Pump--TVs in cars

What are your feelings on having TV/DVDs in the car?

I don't have children yet. I can see how having this would be a LIFESAVER for a long car trip. We're talking like, an hour or more. But, when I lived on LI, I'd see lots of people on their way to the supermarket, gas station, etc. with the DVD player on in the car.

My feeling (as a teacher) is--you're going to let your kids watch TV every time you're in the car for 5 minutes--and then they're going to be in MY class, where they can't concentrate on something for 5 minutes!

Re: Spinoff to TVs at the Pump--TVs in cars

I'm so against it. When I was a kid we were in the car for hour rides regularly to visit my grandparents and somehow my parents managed to have us be quiet enough without TVs. I don't think it's good to have kids stuck in front of the TV or video games all the time. I don't have kids yet, but when I do, I'll give them toys and books, but no TV. Kids need to learn to entertain themselves or just sit and be bored.

Re: Spinoff to TVs at the Pump--TVs in cars

My sister and BIL live in CT and on average it takes 1.5 - 2 hours for them to get to my parent's house for a visit (which they do on a fairly regular basis). They refuse to get a DVD player for their cars and have said they really felt they've never needed it.

This past summer they drove to Hershey park and again, felt no need for the TV.

She and my BIL look at it as a time to talk to their kids (who happen to be 4 and 6). At least that's what she says.

I agree. Growing up we never had these things and survived. We had to be CREATIVE and IMAGINATIVE when we went on LONG car trips (like 6 hours or more). We lived and I have many fond memories for it.

Re: Spinoff to TVs at the Pump--TVs in cars

I do not like TVs in cars. I think that they take away from children's abilities to amuse themselves and use their imaginations. Car trips are the perfect time for games like "Going on a picnic" or looking for all of the states on license plates, etc. It is a great time for family interaction.

I truly feel that the more children sit in front of TVs and video games, the less they are able to entertain themselves.

Re: Spinoff to TVs at the Pump--TVs in cars

Re: Spinoff to TVs at the Pump--TVs in cars

long car rides are the perfect time for people to TALK with their children, play the license plate game, Madlibs, read the street signs & any number of other things that stimulate the brain. Its also an excellent time for children to practice self control & understand there are times that you just have to sit, wait & be quiet.
I am dead against builtin tv's. I think portable DVD players might ok for VERY long trips.

Re: Spinoff to TVs at the Pump--TVs in cars

I don't have children yet.

My sister has two sons (3 and a half and almost 2) and their rule is the DVD player is only allowed on when they have been in the car for 2 hours or longer.

Other then that they play games, sleep, look at books, etc.

I think that's fair.

Re: Spinoff to TVs at the Pump--TVs in cars

In general I am against it...but I know as a parent you should never say never!!!

Re: Spinoff to TVs at the Pump--TVs in cars

i'm not a parent yet either, but i can say that we used to drive EVERYWHERE on vacation when i was growing up ( florida, maine, michigan... even drove to california when i was 6 or 7 months old!) and we never had TV of DVD, and i survived! its the perfect time to talk to your kids, and stimulate their minds with some interaction by talking about what you see, playing " i spy", " going on a picnic", etc,, games where the actually have to think. my sister and i used to make up stories and act them out for my parents- lol.
i work at a school as a speech/language therapist. we've been getting A LOT more kids lately with language disorders, and i really beleive TV has sooo much to do with it! parents use it as a babysitter too often, instead of actually interacting with them and teaching them things... so then i get them in school and they cant pay attention, and they're 10 years old and don't know what a mechanic is!
LOL, sorry! this is just a pet peeve of mine

Message edited 11/1/2007 9:41:35 PM.

Re: Spinoff to TVs at the Pump--TVs in cars

also kid-less......

I dunno.... while I can understand appreciating every distraction that gives a parent a moment of peace, I also think it's a quick fix with long term consequences.... much like giving kids too much control over what they eat (letting kids avoid eating veggies, and instead nibbling on chips and sweet drinks all afternoon)

Both will line kids up for being hyperactive and develop short attention spans (constant TV being a constantly changing stimulus, low veg and high sugar foods causing them to race around on a sugar high, and then crash)

these kids will likely be unable to focus in school, and will not develop creativity (like playing with legos or in a sand box would, for example).... the kids are being set-up for a difficult adjustment to adulthood and college.......

Message edited 11/1/2007 10:52:31 PM.

Re: Spinoff to TVs at the Pump--TVs in cars

We have a portable DVD player and the only time my kids have watched it is on a long trip - i.e., 3 hrs to my SILs house upstate. My kids enjoy audio book CDs in the car or even our music. My older son does get motion sickness sometimes so the DVD player is really good for the long car trip bc he can't read or do his workbooks in the car.

ETA: I generally have good car kids though so I guess I am lucky in that sense. It's so nice to have them strapped in and under control

Message edited 11/1/2007 10:57:31 PM.

Re: Spinoff to TVs at the Pump--TVs in cars

My family took long car rides way before TVs were in cars and we did just fine. There have to be choices other than TV in cars for kids. I don't think a person has to be a parent to know there are other alternatives.

However, there are so many more appealing distractions for kids now than there used to be. Perhaps the TV/DVD in the car is taking the place of a good travel sized game of Battleship.
I think it is up to a parent to be creative in order to keep a child occupied, entertained and interested in the car - much in the way I have to develop fun and creative lessons in my classroom. Kids are more sophisticated nowadays.

Re: Spinoff to TVs at the Pump--TVs in cars

if used correctly, sure....

not everything is entertainment and video games for fun......

you do realize there is a ton of materials to "educate" and "stimulate" a childs minds?

I can't tell you how smart my neice is at age 2 being able to read, talk, understand, count, organzie just by the tools of video.

Yes, obviously parenting comes into play but a good part are things like Baby Enstien (just 1 example) and being able to educate the child while watching these programs...

Re: Spinoff to TVs at the Pump--TVs in cars

Can you ever have enough TVs?

In the headlights:





In the side view mirror:


Small ones on stalks... I guess for when you're loading groceries in the back...



Now THIS owner knows how to have enough TVs for everyone...

Re: Spinoff to TVs at the Pump--TVs in cars

We don't have one - even for long car rides. I want my kids to be able to occupy their time by making up games themselves or talking to me. I think being bored fuels the imagination.

We do have one for plane rides. Mainly because if they act up in a plane, they're disturbing other people.

eta. As a working mom, I don't see enough of my kids so any chance I get with them we talk or play. Maybe if I was a SAHM, I would need some peace & quiet since they do that all day long.

Message edited 11/2/2007 5:55:10 AM.

Re: Spinoff to TVs at the Pump--TVs in cars

Re: Spinoff to TVs at the Pump--TVs in cars

My kids watch enough TV. When we are in the car we talk, sing or play games. Sometimes I am chatting with my husband and they get noisy or start to argue and for about 5 seconds I think "GOD I WISH I HAD A TV FOR THEM." -- but then I remember that I am their parent and I WANT to be their main source of information and entertainment.

Re: Spinoff to TVs at the Pump--TVs in cars

Re: Spinoff to TVs at the Pump--TVs in cars

Posted by rojerono

Posted by BabyBoy

if used correctly, sure....

not everything is entertainment and video games for fun......

you do realize there is a ton of materials to "educate" and "stimulate" a childs minds?

I can't tell you how smart my neice is at age 2 being able to read, talk, understand, count, organzie just by the tools of video.

Yes, obviously parenting comes into play but a good part are things like Baby Enstien (just 1 example) and being able to educate the child while watching these programs...

You may not mean this the way you said it, but I doubt your niece is that smart 'just by the tools of the video'. I firmly believe that parent interaction is far more integral to a child's development than any video. I think that the manner in which this was stated does your niece's parents a huge injustice by giving videos such credit for her intelligence.

Baby Einstein is music and images on a screen. Wouldn't you be better served to sit with your child, put some Mozart on the stereo and engage your baby face to face with toys, objects and patterns?

I am not saying that these videos don't work wonders for a tired mom who needs a 20 minute break to recoup - but I just don't think they should be used as the primary tools for your babies development. But I have seen a few too many people allow Baby Einstein to 'babysit' their children and babies for as long as the baby is willing to sit staring at a square screen and I think that is pretty sad. Leaves on TV are pretty - but a long walk in the park talking about and pointing out the difference between deciduous and evergreen plantlife is much better for both the parent and the child.

Message edited 11/2/2007 7:48:42 AM.

Re: Spinoff to TVs at the Pump--TVs in cars

Posted by ml110

i completely agree! like i said, i'm a speech/language therapist and have seen many of these studies. they show that, yes, these videos can help children learn things... BUT they work best when the parent watches WITH the child and adds dialogue and "real world" language to it. the child needs that "live" feedback. and, unfortunately, many times these videos are being used as just the opposite- as a chance for the mom to take a break and get other things done. i also LOVE the last line about the leaves and walking... i think that really sums the whole thing up!

Re: Spinoff to TVs at the Pump--TVs in cars

Message edited 11/14/2011 9:42:47 PM.

Re: Spinoff to TVs at the Pump--TVs in cars

Hey, how are they supposed to play "punch-buggy" and "cadillac-whack" if they are watching TV?

Re:

Message edited 3/3/2010 9:29:44 PM.

Re: Spinoff to TVs at the Pump--TVs in cars

DH doesn't want our future children to watch TV until they are at least 2 years old. Though this may sound completely unrealistic and a challenge to me, I can understand his reasoning. There will never be a television in our cars.

TV has such a hypnotic effect on children. Any one of my students can recite entire episodes of Ed Edd and Eddy as well as Sponge Bob, but are not able to recall a fact I told them 5 minutes before. The TV pulls them into another dimension.

Teaching is no longer traditional. We follow the "if you can't beat em, join em" mentality with all of the technologies out there. We now have computers, Smart Boards, spell checks, etc that we have to encorporate into our curriculum to motivate kids to learn. It makes you wonder how people ever got into Harvard before.

Message edited 11/2/2007 10:49:48 PM.

Re: Spinoff to TVs at the Pump--TVs in cars