by Susan Joan

Created on: November 09, 2008   Last Updated: November 16, 2008

Backseat boredom has gone the way of the dinosaur thanks to the automobile industries competition to provide consumers with the best in backseat entertainment systems. Passengers can now watch TV, play video games, download photographs from cameras, and much more without disturbing the driver. Some of these systems include navigational devices which remove the need to debate over whether you need to stop for directions. My favorite feature on the GPS is the ability to find a restaurant, a drugstore or an emergency room no matter where you are.

According to the National Automobile Association over 28 car models offered backseat entertainment systems in 2005. Now, in 2008 SIRIUS (the satellite radio network that sells content for a monthly subscription fee) has teamed up with Chrysler to provide the ultimate in backseat entertainment systems. You have to see it to believe it. Look for the backseat entertainment demo for the 2008 Caravan at http://www.dodge.com or http://www.sirius.com. While these systems are amazing and could well become standard fare for the American automobile in the near future you do not need to spend hundreds of dollars to occupy your children in the car.

I have a seven year old boy, and I drive a 2000 Nissan Altima. I have not installed a backseat entertainment system. I owe my hours of tranquil driving bliss to a little hand-held gaming device called Nintendo DS. My son actually looks forward to road trips now that he knows he will be able to play some of his favorite games, undisturbed. That little gaming device has payed for itself considering we do a lot of road trips. Grandma lives two hours away.

Now, if you are like me, there comes a time when you need to shut the video games OFF. You've seen the research, playing those games for hours on end can be hazardous to your health, even if it provides absolute quiet in the car. At this time I reach for books on tape. The local library has tons of books on tape. Stories for every age and interest can be inserted in your sound system for all to enjoy. Some audio picture books come with the book so your child can read along.

If you as the driver crave companionship and conversation on your journey you can always reach back into your childhood

memories and bring out some of your old favorite travel games. Remember counting cars, reading road signs, license plate bingo and 20 questions?

I think the new technology is great, but I do not want to raise a child who is incapable of creating conversation and amusing himself. I impose a minimum of two twenty minute blocks of time during long road trips when we actually talk to each other and/or play some of the historic car games from childhoods past.

Thanks to technology the old road trip chant, "Are we there yet?" has been replaced in my vehicle with, "We're here? So soon!"

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