What do you think about portable/car DVD players?

[pookiesossige]

We'd like to travel more with the kids... to make it easier, we are thinking of getting a DVD player for the car with two screens for behind each of the front seats. It would need to be one that can re-charge in the car and possibly use the car's own speakers. We'd only use it for long trips, such as my parents (1 hour 50 mins) or the city (3.5 hours).

But part of me feels really bad that we would resort to more TV in our lives, when maybe the kids should be encouraged to do other things in the car... but I just want them to be happy and quiet!! It's a purchase I won't mention to my parents because I know how they'll react to this sort of thing... I guess that's where I get my issues about this from!

Do you think that having a DVD player in the car is silly and over-the-top, making the kids more demanding for constant entertainment?

Or is it a good opportunity to get some educational shows playing and encourage some quiet time and simply survive a long car trip?!:detective:

[MummaBear03]

I've got one of those things that attaches to the back of the front seat of the car and has a bunch of pockets in it that are accessible to kids in the back seat. I fill the pockets with various activities and on the seat beside her she has a whole pile of books to read or sketch pads to draw in and there's always a little pack of pencils/crayons in one of the pockets. Keeps her amused for hours :yes:

I'm not a fan of tv and don't like it to be used often. A little in the afternoons but not every afternoon. I also prefer her to be watching out the window taking in what's around us. Up to you, but I would be looking for other ways first.

[AVR]

They are awesome!:yelclap:

[Veritas]

I recently travelled all the way from Newcastle up to Murgon and back in a 5 day road trip and made the wise investment of a portable DVD player for the trip!

It was my saviour.... she didn't have it on all the time, but it was great for those down times when she's tired, but over being in the car and not ready to sleep....

For some reason those brainy baby dvd's are enthralling to her, so there is def no reason why it can't be educational at the same time!

[Nowhere]

Miki has one i think its great we take it to all hr hospital apointments hospital stays etc, she doens thave it in the car as we dont have anywhere to atatch it we may use it in the car when we get our new one not sure, I will be useing it on the tray of her new adaptive stroler when it arives

[Queen]

I want one for DD, now that she actually watches it...:D maybe for christmas

[Angelinalily]

For long trips, I think they are great. As others have mentioned they don't have to be used all the time, but are there as a back-up. My kids seem to get carsick if reading/drawing etc, but the videos worked beautifully. If you know you will be doing a trip, you could cut back tv at home time to compensate.

It sounds like your main concern is what others will say. Stop worrying about what they say, and start thinking of your own sanity on those long car trips. :laughing:

[SilverStarfish]

We used one to keep Sarah occupied on a flight from Brisbane to Melbourne - and I can't even begin to describe how fantastic it was!!!

I don't know about in in the car. It would certainly be a godsend for road trips :yes: At the moment Sarah's content to just watch out the windows and chat to herself - or listen to Dorothy the Dinosaur's new cd over and over and over...

When she's older we might consider getting one.

[pookiesossige]

For long trips, I think they are great. As others have mentioned they don't have to be used all the time, but are there as a back-up. My kids seem to get carsick if reading/drawing etc, but the videos worked beautifully. If you know you will be doing a trip, you could cut back tv at home time to compensate.

It sounds like your main concern is what others will say. Stop worrying about what they say, and start thinking of your own sanity on those long car trips. :laughing:

Thanks for this... You're right, I can't help but worry about what others would think about our 'expensive and unnessesary' purchase. I think we'll just go for it- we'll feel like we can drive anywhere once we do!

The kids have lots of books in the car and a stable table works wonders for holding colouring books on a lap and I make up our own 'I spy' picture pages for Ronan. So I guess there's nothing wrong with it if I keep doing all of that. It's just that Ariene is younger and she's a screamer in the car... but loves Thomas DVDs!

Sometimes I'm still just a little girl trying to impress my parents and do the 'right' thing :rolleyes::rolleyes: I'm only just starting to realise that. Drives my DH batty!!

[Shanaynay]

Well we don't have TV at home so if I put them in car I don't think they'd be getting too much :laughing:

I would like to drive to QLD at the end of the year and getting litle TV thingos would be good probably.

For short trips I would worry about a child who couldn't sit in the car without having a TV on but for long trips I think they sound like a great idea. Especially when you are travelling 6-8 hours in a day. I used to do a lot of travelling when I was younger iwth my parents and I will hold it against them forever :mad: A TV would have made it much better :p

[tally]

We travel a lot.. generally once a month if not more we do a 1000km round trip.

We dont have dvd players in the car and dont feel a need for them.

We use this as another chance to spend quality time with our kids talking and playing games. Its amazing what you can come up with to occupy the time when you have to.

The thought of having them in the car turns me right off..

[pookiesossige]

See that's my problem- I don't want them to be on except for long drives (2 hours +). And Ronan is perfectly fine in the car as he is, because he loves his books and drawing etc. But Ariene is not so easily entertained. So I guess they'll only be put in the car for those drives only, and we'll turn them off when we want to for other activities.

Hey Zoe! :hugs: No TV?! wow, that's kinda cool actually! Except for the lack of Play School :eek:

[4babycinos]

We have one and its been a life saver on long trips. No this :hair:. I think they're fine as long as they are not used everytime they get in the car!!

[pookiesossige]

I think they're fine as long as they are not used everytime they get in the car!!

That's it- I'm assuming they can be removed and ONLY put in the car for long trips? Am I right? :confused:

[Angelmist♥]

That's it- I'm assuming they can be removed and ONLY put in the car for long trips? Am I right? :confused:

Yep they can. I was deadset against them too, for all the reasons you described! My MIL bought them one for Christmas (with the dual screens on the back of the headrests) and I have to admit it is awesome for long trips. TBH there's only so much eye spy I feel like playing when driving 3hrs on my own with the kids:laughing:.

[Rachael]

We are planning on investing in one later this year.

I think for your own sanity you should, especially if your little girl will change from screaming the whole time to a content little girl just by watching Thomas.

Anyone know of a good brand and prices?

[onemummmy]

I think they are cool. :thumbsup:

[mum of 2 girlz]

we just bought one this week as we are driving to qld fro sydney in two days time, hopng it will save us alot of screaming