Keeping the kids entertained on the long drives

by Eric Once the twins were old enough for front-facing car seats, we put them on the back bench seat of the van and removed one of the middle seats, for easier access to all three kids. When the time came for long road trips to cottages to begin, we realized we needed to distract them from the driving tedium.

CDs were becoming an issue - arguments arose over which CD to play, and then screeches of disagreement over which songs were not the right songs followed. We needed a DVD player.

The problem with our new back seat arrangement was that if a screen was hanging on the driver's side seat, Quinn and Juliette could see, but Kiernan would be constantly craning his neck. If the player was on the passenger-side seat, Quinn and Kiernan are good to go, but Juliette's view would be blocked. Sucks, really, for anyone but Quinn. The third option of hanging anything between the seats would prove disastrous with the trio of climbing monkeys we regularly courier around.

Enter the Philips dual portable LCD DVD player. With one 9" screen on the back of each of the front seats, all kids have a view (Quinn doubly so - that kid just can't lose). The straps are adjustable and sturdy, and  the cables connecting the two monitors, as well as the car adapter, are long enough to snake out of the way of grabbing hands. The player is top-loading into one of the screens, and the buttons are easily accessable from the passenger seat - the only wish we would have would be for a remote to be able to hit Play when there's no one  but the driver there to respond to the angry wails of "It's stuck on the menuuuuu!!".

Of course, had we endured our children's groaning for one more year, we could have bought the new Dual DVD system which can play two separate DVDs at a time, or with a flick of a switch share a single view. I'm pretty sure Quinn would go into ferret-shock with that kind of heaven, so perhaps it's for the best.

Eric is dad to 5.5 year old Kiernan and old and 2.833334 year old twins Quinn and Juliette.

Going to the movies

by Amanda Ever since I was a child, movies have been a big part of my life. Friday or Saturday nights as a family we would sit down, pop some corn and enjoy a movie together.  The TV's back then were a lot smaller, rounded at the edges, and we watched tapes in the VCR, not Blu-Ray or DVD,  but the point was we were doing something together that we all enjoyed.  Going to the theatre was an even bigger thrill.  We would get there early, get a good set of seats and wait for the moment when the lights would go down and the reel would begin.  We also, almost always, sneaked in our own snacks, sodas and all.  It was a time to bring out the big purse!  When I was a child movies were not digital and while 3D has existed for a long time, it was not commonplace.  My dad, to this day, still calls it "Going to the show".   I love that expression.

I am so thrilled that my son has now reached an age where we can share that experience.  Our first movie outing was to see the Smurfs 3D, he loved it so much we decided to go to another one this past weekend Puss in Boots 3D.  He is 4 1/2 and can sit through an entire movie happily enjoying what's happening on the screen and munching some treats.  He was also really attracted by the arcade but most of the games are too difficult for him.  I found myself watching his face quite a bit during the film to see his reactions both to the story itself and to the special effects.  He finds so much joy in new experiences that I find myself re-living my childhood through him.  Every giggle, every laugh, every "o" his mouth made were like music for my eyes and ears.  He's not so great at the not talking during the movie, but most of the kids in the place were the same way.  I also really enjoy how kids movies nowadays are just as enjoyable for the adults as well.  There is always some subtle content meant to keep the adults engaged in the film as well as the kids.    As for hubby and I, well we are giant kids at heart, we enjoy almost every kind of movie, cartoons included.  I will keep bringing my little man to the movies because it is as much fun for us as it is for him!

Amanda was born and raised in Ottawa where she continues to live with her husband and son “J”. Amanda is bilingual and interests include reading, blogging, socializing, and advocacy on children and teen issues.

Ever since I was a child, movies have been a big part of my life.
Friday or Saturday nights as a family we would sit down, pop some corn
and enjoy a movie together.  The TV's back then were a lot smaller,
rounded at the edges, and we watched tapes in the VCR, not Blu-Ray or
DVD,  but the point was we were doing something together that we all
enjoyed.  Going to the theatre was an even bigger thrill.  We would get
there early, get a good set of seats and wait for the moment when the
lights would go down and the reel would begin.  We also, almost always,
sneaked in our own snacks, sodas and all.  It was a time to bring out
the big purse!  When I was a child movies were not digital and while 3D
has existed for a long time, it was not commonplace.  My dad, to this
day, still calls it "Going to the show".   I love that expression.

I am so thrilled that my son has now reached an age where we can share
that experience.  Our first movie outing was to see the Smurfs 3D, he
loved it so much we decided to go to another one this past weekend Puss
in Boots 3D.  He is 4 1/2 and can sit through an entire movie happily
enjoying what's happening on the screen and munching some treats.  He
was also really attracted by the arcade but most of the games are too
difficult for him.  I found myself watching his face quite a bit during
the film to see his reactions both to the story itself and to the
special effects.  He finds so much joy in new experiences that I find
myself re-living my childhood through him.  Every giggle, every laugh,
every "o" his mouth made were like music for my eyes and ears.  He's not
so great at the not talking during the movie, but most of the kids in
the place were the same way.  I also really enjoy how kids movies
nowadays are just as enjoyable for the adults as well.  There is always
some subtle content meant to keep the adults engaged in the film as well
as the kids.    As for hubby and I, well we are giant kids at heart, we
enjoy almost every kind of movie, cartoons included.  I will keep
bringing my little man to the movies because it is as much fun for us as
it is for him!