How do you feel about in-car entertainment systems? (TV in car)

I'm about to lease a new car and I have an 18 month old. I don't want to expose her to too much TV (she gets enough at home), but will I regret it over the next 3 years as she older and more distracted in the car?

Would you get the TV screens in the back?

TIA

Re: How do you feel about in-car entertainment systems? (TV in car)

My sister lives in NJ (close to Philly) so it is about a 2.5-3 hour drive. I would die without the DVD player in the car. We go to my sisters at least once a month and it definitely helps the trip move along for DS. Especially since now he is in the third row and I can't really feed him snacks the whole trip.

Re: How do you feel about in-car entertainment systems? (TV in car)

We weragainst the tv in the car and finaly gave in but we only put educational movies on like Leap Frog and preschool prep!

Re: How do you feel about in-car entertainment systems? (TV in car)

Nope. No TV/DVD on our cars. Both DH and I strongly agree on this one. We only take a couple of long trips per year (maybe 4 at the most that are over 3 hours) and they have always been great in the car. They get enough TV and computer time otherwise.

Re: How do you feel about in-car entertainment systems? (TV in car)

No t.v.'s/DVDs for us. If we were going on a really long car ride (out of state) I may bring a portable one but for everyday use, I think it's unnecessary. My children can bring books to look at.

Re: How do you feel about in-car entertainment systems? (TV in car)

We have portable DVD players. That way, they don't have it for short everyday trips, but we can use it on multi-hour drives. Even adults get bored on really long trips, so I don't see a problem with having something to watch when you're strapped in one spot for 2+ hours.

Re: How do you feel about in-car entertainment systems? (TV in car)

Our minivan came with it in the upgrade. I hardly ever use the DVD's but I will say this - it is a godsend on long trips, and for times when the boys are getting antsy.

I will also put it on when it's close to my younger sons naptime and we are driving home to keep him from falling asleep till we get him in the crib.

You don't have to use it everyday at all. I love that it's there for when I need it though.

Re: How do you feel about in-car entertainment systems? (TV in car)

Re: How do you feel about in-car entertainment systems? (TV in car)

love it and can't live without it!

Re: How do you feel about in-car entertainment systems? (TV in car)

i have a portable dvd player for long trips...i wouldnt be able to drive without it!
short trips and around town she dosent watch it.

Re: How do you feel about in-car entertainment systems? (TV in car)

Pre-children I always said that I would NEVER have a DVD player in my car.

Then about a month ago we bought a new minivan that had one in it.

We do not allow DS to watch anything unless we are driving a long distance. I would say we have to be going at least an hour and a half for us to put it on. And he can only watch it on the way there. It's usually bed time when we leave so he's not allowed to watch it on the way home or else he might not fall asleep.

Just tooling around town, it will NEVER be put on.

ETA: Just wanted to add that it literally turns my DS into a zombie! My normally EXTREMELY talkative child disappears once we turn the DVD player on. He doesn't say a word the entire time. This is why the DVD player is only reserved for long drives. I like to talk with him and have our silly conversations... I would miss that if we allowed him to watch it ever time we got in the car.

Message edited 5/17/2011 11:22:49 AM.

Re: How do you feel about in-car entertainment systems? (TV in car)

I think they are great for long trips, not for eveyday use.

Re: How do you feel about in-car entertainment systems? (TV in car)

When we got the minivan it came with them in it. I love it, I try not to use it unless it's going to be a long trip. He doesn't ask for it everyday, but it's a godsend on days where he is cranky and would otherwise be sitting back there screaming

Re: How do you feel about in-car entertainment systems? (TV in car)

We were just talking about getting a portable DVD player for the car. We drive a lot with DD (an hour a day at least) and she's usually cranky after daycare. I didn't want to but we are thinking about it...

Re: How do you feel about in-car entertainment systems? (TV in car)

We're thinking about getting a portable one for when we visit my in-laws since DS hasn't been handling the 3+ hour trip as well lately, but we wouldn't use it for our daily travels...

Re: How do you feel about in-car entertainment systems? (TV in car)

My kids hate to travel so having a DVD has just made things easier for us. It doesn't bother me either way though.

Re: How do you feel about in-car entertainment systems? (TV in car)

When I bought my SUV I could either get the dual sunroofs or the DVD player. I went with the sunroofs. I didn't want a DVD player in the car all the time because I didn't want my DC to be glued to it every time he was in the car. When he turned 2 and we were about to go on a 5 hour car trip, I bought 2 portable car DVD players. They attach right to the rear front headrest. PERFECT!!! We turned it on and kept him entertained. When we got back home, they came out and we didn't use them for another 6 months or so until that next long 5 hour car trip. I like it this way.

Re: How do you feel about in-car entertainment systems? (TV in car)

Not for us for everyday use.

We used a portable DVD player when we drove to Virginia.

Re: How do you feel about in-car entertainment systems? (TV in car)

Re: How do you feel about in-car entertainment systems? (TV in car)

We have one. We don't use it everyday but on long trips is really helps them from getting antsy or bored.

I also use it if I am on my way home and its near my youngest nap time. It will keep him up long enough till we get home.

Re: How do you feel about in-car entertainment systems? (TV in car)

No, I would not. Especially not if it's going to add $$ to the price; at that point, just buy a portable one.

We've driven down to NC four times (each time 10 hour drive one way) and we used a portable one one time when DD#1 was two. We just didn't like the way it hypnotized her, honestly. It was great for us though...sigh. At this point, it broke I think anyhow...

We brought a bunch of kids' music CDs with us and Broadway show-tunes with us and that was great. We also bought a kids' car lap table thing that they could put their coloring books on, etc. We like to stop every few hours anyway for meals or a stretch.

We live without it easily.

Re: How do you feel about in-car entertainment systems? (TV in car)

We use our iPad strapped between the seats for very long trips (Maine, etc). Most of our videos are downloaded so for us a DVD player wouldn't be too useful - we'd have to go out and buy a bunch of DVDs or copy them over. This works perfectly for us.

Re: How do you feel about in-car entertainment systems? (TV in car)

Long trips - NECESSARY!!! I'd get it!

Re: How do you feel about in-car entertainment systems? (TV in car)

Re: How do you feel about in-car entertainment systems? (TV in car)

No!!!

DS watched 1 video on my ipod on a 4 hour trip to visit my sister.

If anything, MAYBE a portable DVD for longer trips.

They can bring the plenty other toys/games.

I think its crazy that a woman at daycare puts it on for her 3 y/o to go 20 minutes. DD will NOT get in the car if its not on.

Plus, as a driver, I find them very distracting.