Serious question, did your family ever have a commute ritual?

When I was a kid, my dad drove me and my siblings to school each morning. We had this silly game where we would count red cars on the way. It made the trip fun and kept us from fighting. Now, I drive my own kids, and they are glued to tablets in the backseat. I miss those simple talks and laughs we had. Back then, the car was our little bubble of family time, but now it is quiet except for screen sounds. I wonder if my kids will remember these rides like I do.

3 comments

3 Comments

sage_schmidt62mo ago

My family's commute was always a fight over the radio station. I used to think giving my own kids tablets was a smart way to avoid that. Your post about counting red cars made me realize I traded bickering for silence, and the silence is worse. I'm putting the screens away tomorrow.

miles9922mo ago

Yeah, the "silence is worse" part really hits. I mean, the bickering is annoying in the moment, but at least everyone's in the same world, you know? Like you're all hearing the same bad song and groaning together. With the tablets, it's just four people in separate little bubbles. You get to your destination and no one even saw the same stuff out the window. Feels lonely, even when you're all right there.

hill.troy2mo ago

Miles992 nailed it about the separate bubbles. The quiet isn't peaceful, it's just empty.