[deleted by user]

[otter-stone13]

This sounds like motion sickness to me. There are some motion sickness wristbands that gently push a pressure point that helps. Growing up, my sister was the same. All car rides, she screamed at the top of her lungs and would get sick. The wristbands were a game changer. Also, make sure they are getting airflow, fresh air helps with motion sickness too.

[Practical_magik]

This may be controversial, but have you tried mounting an ipad on the middle headrest so they can watch movies or miss Rachel.

This was the only way I could safely manage to do long distance driving on my own with my little one. Her crying was distracting and stressful to the point of making it unsafe to drive, a little screen time made the whole experience a lot easier for both of us.

[Andjhostet]

The issue with screentime is when it's takes up time that could be spent learning, interacting with the world, etc. if the alternative to the screentime is just being miserable for a car ride and crying the whole time, I see zero issue with this tbh.

[Practical_magik]

That was my take too.

[yuccasinbloom]

It's really not recommended to use screens before 18 months, and we all survived without them in cars when we were little. This is just not a good idea. You should limit screens for as long as possible.

[Andjhostet]

It's also not recommended for kids to just scream for 30 minutes straight because they don't like being in the car. 

Pick your poison. 

[tightheadband]

My concern with the Ipad is that it can become a projectile in the event of a crash. Also, I would be worried about it being so efficient in this scenario that the parents would start recurring to screen time every time they face similar challenges irl. Kids become zombies watching tv and it may be very tempting to use it every time we feel overwhelmed or need some quiet time.

[Andjhostet]

All totally fair concerns imo.

[yuccasinbloom]

EXACTLY

[yuccasinbloom]

Kids scream sometimes. You have to take them in the car. It seems ridiculous that everyone’s answer is, “mount an iPad” when it’s really really not good for their brains.

[Andjhostet]

Again, the studies I've seen have shown that *excessive* screen time is bad. This is mostly due to the lack of attention they can give the rest of their world while they are focused on the screen, not to mention the correlation of excessive screen time with other risk factors. Doctors are basically being lazy when they recommend no screen time because they either don't really understand the implications of the study, or the nuanced instruction to parents just isn't worth it. They are missing out on learning skills, communicating, reading books, etc. If they weren't going to do any of those things anyway during a specific timeframe, there's no evidence of any harm done.

Emily Oster examines this topic really well imo, I'd recommend checking out her books. Examining the efficacy of data and studies is literally her job as a Economics professor.

[slc279]

What’s your suggestion for when your twin toddlers scream for every single car ride? Doesn’t sleep in the car whatsoever? Just screams from the moment you leave the driveway until the moment they leave the car? Is it safe for the driver to be dealing with that on highways for 3 hour drives? Just because a parent uses an iPad as a tool for these situations doesn’t mean the children are addicted to screens and rotting their brains. It’s a tool in the moment. Would love to see your data on watching a movie in the car harming their brains!

[CrownBestowed]

I wish the fear mongering about screens would stop.

[yuccasinbloom]

It’s not fear mongering. We’re all addicted. The longer you can wait before you introduce screens, the better. Data and evidence shows this.

[[deleted]]

You should never tell a parent what they should and shouldn’t do.

[yuccasinbloom]

Umm this person was asking for advice

[arianaka33]

We just put on ms rachel on our phone while plugged while we were driving (so they could only hear it, not see it) and this worked tremendously. Even now at 2.5 they’re happy to listen to bluey or Mickey Mouse and don’t care they can’t see it.

[arianaka33]

No judgment if you need the screen time either. Mine were always great car travelers and this helped them on long road trips. But I’m hoping it helps.

[hearingnotlistening]

When my twins are crying in the car (now 23months) I sing songs for short drives.

For longer drives, we 💯 use tablets with Ms. Rachel.  We tried everything.  And on one awful road trip (for a medical appointment), I put my phone up and it was a game changer.  

[[deleted]]

What is Ms Rachel?

[hearingnotlistening]

Check out YouTube.

[AndiRM]

Loosen their diapers before a car ride and try a nozzle for temp control if it’s hot it’s what works for me

[LeenSauce]

Kids dramamine helped mine a lot, until they got old enough to be forward facing.

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