I love the ease of cell phones! Let me state that before I continue with this rant… I love having almost an unlimited amount of long-distance time. I love having access to all sorts of places when I am at all sorts of places.
BUT>>>>
I do not dial my cell phone (or even hold it!!!) while I’m driving. I grew up not being able to make phone calls while on the road – so it is simply a habit I don’t plan to acquire. When my children were young, whenever we were in the car tooting around, we found fun things to do. The “We Sing” tapes were permanently left in the car. When we weren’t singing along with the Wee Sing gang, we played games: rhyming (à la mat-cat-rat), Is it bigger than a breadbox?, simple math, I Spy, the alphabet-finding game, ETC. Which brings me to my next point…
I remember the first time I was aware that some cars actually have television sets installed in them. What?!? Yep, that’s right! That was my initial response, and I am still wondering WHAT?!?
More and more, I am noticing something that rivals the television and DVD hook-ups in cars>>> Parents on their cell phones with their little tykes in the car!!! Are the parents lives so busy that the only time they can find to make appointments or catch up with family/friends is while they are in their cars with their tots?
Hopefully, when these same cell-phoning parents’ children are twelve years old, the parents can look back fondly and remember what their friends/family had to say during all of those car rides with their children! As Harry Chapin would say: The cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon…
Anne says
You have chosen my favorite rant. It is impossible for me to be behind someone who is chatting and driving without thinking to myself, “shut up and drive” let alone with a child in the car.
Alfred says
Out here in Ca it is against the law to talk on a cellphone while driving. Maria Shriver – Arnold’s wife – who is our governor got busted recently because she was talking on a cell phone a few times while driving. And now she has been parking in red zones while shopping.
Laura says
Don’t get me started. Seriously! Here in California it is against the law to use a cell phone and drive, but people still do it. Of course, the ticket is only $20. Worse are the people who are texting while driving! Yes, I see it all the time. Oh, and by the way, there was a picture in the newspaper showing our governor’s wife, Maria Shriver, using a cell phone while driving.
Sandra says
I hate the cellphone while people are driving. I also don’t understand everyone having the tvs and dvd players in their SUVs or mini-vans. Of course then I remember all the times my young one who is now 30, kept saying over and over and over and over, “Are we there yet!?!?!?” Guess I would have traded anything for a tv set in my car then. But over the years it seemed also that driving in the car together, she would share secrets with me, tell me about her new boyfriend, her class or teacher problems….I wouldn’t give up those drives together for anything…even if we just went for a drive around the neighborhood after supper with no destination in mind. I remember the day she told me she really didn’t want to be a corporate attorney and attend Harvard…..she wanted to be a special ed teacher!!! Was that alright Mom? Are you disappointed Mom? Never!!!! So parents, put down those cellphones and turn off those tvs….talk…listen and enjoy your kids in the car!!! Soon they will be 30 yrs old like mine!!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
I agree full-heartedly with your sentiments, Sandra. I know that parents are busy, but car trips can be made into quality time with our children… And, I’m like you >>> My children are both in their early 20s, and there is NO going back in time!