The Information Super Highway

Confession:  Car rides with the kids don’t suck as bad as they used to.

I have to admit, I’m a little disappointed that our 8ish hour car ride isn’t yielding me more blog-worthy moments. Used to be I could count on a ride like this to yield several melt downs, at least one full-blown tantrum, and countless WTF moments for your entertainment. Not so much this time.

Granted, we decided to divide the trip in half. Leaving instead at night and stopping halfway to our destination for sleep. I’m not sure that really even matters though.

Each of the kids is a full year older than they were on our last lengthy car ride undertaking. Perhaps this has brought a new level of maturity? Perhaps they have grown up enough to sit quietly in their seats and refrain from slapping the crap out of each other any time one of them breathes in the other’s general direction? Naaaah that’s not it. It’s the golden age of electronics, my friends.

I know some of you have been on board with this method of a mobile babysitter for years now. But, I am fairly new to the game. Here’s how it works. In addition to the suitcases, toiletries, etc. that we packed for our trip, we have.. dun dun dun.... the electronics bag! The bag, once condemned by this mother for use as a vacation staple, is now touted and revered as the vacation ride sanity saver. It’s amazing how this parenting thing can really cut our core values right down to shit, isn't it?

This bag, which I once would have said had no place on a trip that was supposed to be chock full of togetherness and outdoorsy goodness, is truly a get-there-without-killing-each-other life saver. 

Contents:

2 iPod Touches

2 regular iPods (the kind that just play music- remember those?)

1 DS

1 Leapster 2

2 portable DVD players

A host of movies and electronic games

and of course... my laptop.

Now some might say, as I once did, that a long ride such as this is a great time for family bonding. Playing punch-buggy, the license plate game, and singing car-trippy songs, should be enough to sustain everyone and keep you rolling from state to state to state... and yes, another state! To these people I say, you try driving in a car with my kids for a few hours and see how that whole sing-songy nonsense works out for ya. You’ll be tossing them the Angry Birds before you can say New Jersey Turnpike. Trust me.

So, for those of you hoping to get a some funny car trip confessions, I apologize. All of the kids are busily rotting their brains and giving themselves carpal tunnel at the same time.  But, we’ve got miles to go before we sleep, so I’ll be sure to keep you posted.

I’d call home to check on the house/dog sitter, but she’s probably busy playing wii and texting.