5 Non-Tech Games For When You're Travelling Or Stuck In Traffic

I live in New Jersey where it can take five minutes to drive a mile or half an hour, depending on traffic.  Yes, the Garden State is congested, which makes it a challenge when you're driving little ones around.  They get impatient and start to...

• Whine
• Complain
• Fight
• All of the above

That makes any potential trip hell for me!  

  

So I found these 5 Non-Tech Games For When You're Traveling Or Stuck In Traffic:
 
 
1.  Where's The Alphabet – Use road signs, billboards, shop names — any reading material outside the window qualifies as long as it's spotted on your side of the car. If you're the front-seat passenger, focus on the right. Look for every letter of the alphabet, in alphabetical order, although the letter can be located anywhere in the word. For example, if there's a sign for a farm, there's your A. The exit for the Broad Street Bridge would cover B, Road Closed is C and so on. First one to the letter Z wins.


2.  Odd Or Even – Each rider guesses how many of the next 20 license plates will end with an even number. The closest guess wins.


3.  The Crazy License Plate Game – Take the license plate in front of you and make up crazy phrases to describe the driver. For example, FCB21M could translate into Five Cute Babies with 21 Moms.

  
4.  Count The Number Of Fools On Cellphones – Here's a diversion with a message. In my area, many people still, unfortunately, talk on cellphones while they're driving even though it's DANGEROUS and AGAINST THE LAW. The kids know this is wrong and we've talked about why it's so bad, but we can't do anything about it, so we've turned it into a challenge. We try to count how many stupid adults they see driving while talking on cellphones. Another benefit to this game is that it alerts me to which idiots probably do not have their minds on the road. Our highest count so far: 15 people in 30 minutes. Shame on those drivers!

5.  Count...Something - Count the number of...whatever. It can be anything: kids on bikes, telephone poles, headlights, train cars, blue pickup trucks, etc. All you have to do is shouting out the thing to keep track of the number. 

 

 

With my daughter having gymnastics practice four times a week and my son needing to get to baseball, friends' houses, etc., I'm ALWAYS on the road.  These games have been a God-send, even with a teen in the car.

 

Give them a try, then come back here and tell me:

 

 

Which worked for your kids?  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Psychological Impact Of Cellphone

A few weeks ago,  I woke up to a dead cellphone. So, I did what most people would do – panicked! After taking the battery out, checking connections, doing a primal dance, praying, etc., the device finally woke up, but a few weeks later, the battery stopped holding a charge and I realized something was wrong.

I could almost see it dying.  

As the battery drained, I felt physically ill, almost as if I was watching someone I cherished die. The good thing was that while it was going, I had time to do some essential back-ups of photographs and documents. Still, when it hit 1% power, with only seconds to “live,” I was sad. 

A dead cellphone is a sad thing. 

I got ready to go to the AT&T device center where I'd been assured that the device would either be replaced or repaired. But now another wave of panic crept in. 

HOW would I drive 45 minutes without a phone? And why was that so daunting?! 

Back before these mini-computers even existed, I traveled as part of my job. I'd start off on a trip a state or two away, driving for four or five hours, with nothing more than some water and maybe a sandwich on the passenger seat. I always had my AA A card, some money, and made sure the car was in good working order. And I relished that time, seeing new sights, meeting new people, cranking up the radio, and enjoying being out on the road with no one knowing exactly where I was and the office not being able to reach me. Sure, I'd check in, but when was up to me. What had happened?

 When did I lose that sense of adventure? 

I know: when I got used to having a safety net. Once I had one, my confidence in my ability to get out of difficult situations waned. Much like those of us who let the GPSes think for us, we forget how to navigate life without backup or thought. We hover and let others hover around us. We become so used to being connected, that in the absence of The Grid, we're fearful children who don't know how to cope. 

Our electronic safety nets - cellphones

I'm not saying that cellphones are bad. As I drove to the device center, I tucked an old phone which had only the ability to call 911 in my pocket and a book under my arm. Years ago, that would have been enough. When I arrived at my destination, I immediately reached for the phone, intent on playing games or calling home, and felt a pang when I couldn't. After a moment, I dove into my book and felt a peace I hadn't experienced for quite a while. My replacement device was in my hands 30 minutes later; I called home and quickly tucked the newbie deep in my purse.

Do people need to reach me ALL the time? 

Sure, if the kids are in school; I don't want to miss a call from the school nurse. Do I need to be able to reach them? Only when they're not in school. Otherwise, EVERYTHING else can wait.

My cellphone dying reminded me of the peace inherent in being off the grid for a bit. It reinforced my commitment to avoiding full dependence on these devices. You will never find all my videos, pictures, documents, or even my calendar on my phone JUST IN CASE it dies. 

Is it a crutch, a necessity?

Probably. But it's one, I'm confident I COULD live without.

If you're wondering whether you're addicted to your cellphone, read this fascinating article from Psychology Today. And try to read it while you're OFF your phone.

10 Ideas For Making Schlepping Your Kids Fun, Or At Least Bearable, This Winter

While waiting for my daughter at gymnastics the other day, I learned Mandarin, knitted a blanket, and caught up on all my correspondence. I can't wait for tomorrow's session when I'll give my car a tune-up in the parking lot of the gym and negotiate world peace before she gets out.
 
Yeah, right.  Schlepping and waiting for my kids, while I consider it my job as a mom, is something I abhor! Granted, it benefits them in so many ways, but it's time consuming and oh so boring (do you hear the implied whine in that comment)! It's too cold around here to do anything in The Great Outdoors like going for a walk or even keeping my car door windows open, so what to do with those 14 hours per week of commuting and waiting, outside of retreating into the amazing, yet somewhat mind-numbing technological vacuum that is my Smartphone? And what about activities sans video screen? 

Well, here are some ideas I've come up with for making the schlep, bearable, if not downright fun. Some activities can be done with your children, but most are for without.      

1.  Car Games – If your kid is not a talker (apparently Diva has not mastered the concept that Mommy can't hear when she shrugs her shoulders in response to a question), use the time in the car to play some games. “I Spy” and “Spot The Out-Of-State License Plate” are two, but there are others we play such as:

• The Crazy License Plate Game – Take the license plate in front of you and make up
  crazy phrases to describe the driver. For example, FCB21M could translate into Five Cute Babies with 21 Moms.
  
• Count The Number Of Idiots On Cellphones – Here's a diversion with a message. In my area, many people still, unfortunately, talk on cellphones while they're driving even though it's DANGEROUS and AGAINST THE LAW. The kids know this is wrong and we've talked about why it's so bad, but we can't do anything about it, so we've turned it into a challenge. We try to count how many stupid adults they see driving while talking on cellphones. Another benefit to this game is that it alerts me to which idiots probably do not have their minds on the road. Our highest count so far: 15 people in 30 minutes. Shame on those drivers!
  
• What Are They Saying – Some people in traffic are quite animated. We try to figure out what the relationship is between drivers and passengers and what they might be saying.  
  
• What Are They Doing – Sometimes you can see into people's houses while you're traveling. We try to guess what they're doing.
  

2.  If you're alone, catch up on YOUR music - My kids like artists I don't, so while I'm driving or waiting, I listen to the much-forbidden tunes I like, you know, from a time when singers actually held a note instead of all this “yodeling” they're doing these days. When the car is parked, it's fun to cut loose, something I cannot do with the kids in the car because I'll “embarrass” them, and sing my heart out.  Who cares if people are watching?  It's fun!

3.  Podcasts, books on CD, etc. - Check your local library and use their electronic resources. I love the ones mine offers because I can download a book and when it's “due,” it magically disappears from my device without incurring any late fees. Also, my church's website will let me download the minister's sermons, so I listen to them on weeks I can't get to services.

4.  Read - One of the aspects of waiting I actually like is that, if I leave my computer at home, waiting for Diva forces me to read. With that in mind, Junior wants to accompany me to one of her gymnastics classes this week because he needs to study for a mid-term and he's more likely to do it without the temptation of his computer.  Boredom has a way of forcing you to do what you have to do. 

5. Connect With Your Other Children – Twice a week, Junior and I use the time Diva is at gymnastics for some sorely-needed mother-son time. We grab a burger or frozen yogurt and spend the time talking. We've even bowled a game or two. The defined time frame means he can see an end in sight , something the Teen seems to relish.

6. Bring A Portable Piece Of Gym Equipment – This portable peddler was only $32.66 on 

Amazon.com. I watch my daughter exercise and get some of my own while I wait for her.  Alternatively you
can jog or walk in place while you wait. If people are looking at you, who cares?! At least you're making good use of the waiting time!

7. Journal or Scrapbook – Many places that hold children's activities also have party rooms. If no one is using that space, ask if you can. Spread out and catch up on scrapbooking or use that time to journal.  Just remember: if you're using the establishment's WiFi, do not go on sites where you'll need to plug in your password.  For more in Internet security tips, read this article I wrote for the site SavvyGeekMom: http://savvygeekmom.com/2013/12/protect-yourself-from-identity-theft-before-
you-become-a-victim.

8. Clean Out Your Car – I know this isn't glamorous or fun, but it's one of those “gotta dos” I never want to do. Grab a garbage bag and, if it's not too cold, clean out the passenger area and trunk of your car..    Re-imagine it.  Is there a better, more efficient way to organize it? Grab this opportunity to do it!

9. Plan The Week's Meals – Throw a few cookbooks in the car and plan what you'll be cooking this week.  With our schedules, I use the crock pot a LOT and waiting for my daughter is the perfect time to figure out what's going to go into the pot.

10.  Catch Up With A Family Member Who Does Not Have Kids Or Whose Kids Are Grown - My mom friends are all busy at the same time, but this time slot is perfect for calling older family members I haven't spoken with for a while.


Now, here are a few Don'ts for the Schlep & Wait:

• Try not to do any non-essential shopping. Sometimes we shop as a way to alleviate boredom. Resist the urge! Your budget does not need the extra strain of “boredom shopping.” Put the credit card down, Mom.
  
• Don't mindlessly eat the kids' food. I carry snacks for my kids and have to remind myself that that's “their” food, not mine. I don't need the protein bars. They do.
  
• Don't sleep while you wait. I know one mom who accidentally overslept in the car while waiting for her kid. How embarrassed she was when her cellphone rang, reminding her to pick up her kid, when she was parked right outside the gym! And if you slumber in the gym, who needs to see you drooling or hear you snoring?
  
• Don't go too far. Traffic happens. Don't take a chance on being late for pick-up.

Driving your kids around is a part of modern parenting. They, thankfully, have so many more activities and options than we did when we were kids.  Why not make the best of it? Now if I can just get that Wiggles' song “Big Red Car” (Toot-toot-chugga-chugga Big Eed Car. We'll travel near and we'll travel far.”) out of my head...sigh...

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Thanks for reading! Please check back in when I'll review a children's game which may or may not be fun (I haven't played it yet).  I'll also be passing on some very useful info about at least one important website you MUST know about!

Happy Monday!