Images of the trip leap into your mind. This isn't going to be smooth. The first signs of boredom pop up their ugly heads. Soon rowdiness sets in. If its anything like last time...

Let's recall:

20 of "are we there yet"

19 of "Mom, sister's poking me."

10 of "Can I get something to eat?"

4 of "I'm bored."

If only there were something they could focus on for a while! A little entertainment would work. A portable television might work but there are lots of dead spots along the way. Songs will work but they are too short to keep the young attentions for this many hour journey and reading books just isn't practical on the bumpy roads.

Try this technique to pass those hours. Do you have a portable mp3 player, an iPod or something like it? If not you probably have a cd player you can use in the car. I got my SansDisk mp3 player for around 80 dollars in Decemeber of 2006. A popular on-line store was advertising a player at just under ten dollars. Once you have obtained your player just remember to put in the car when you leave but do a couple of very important things first.

1. Find a site on the web that sells audiobooks that you can download.

2. download a couple of audio books.

3. Grab you mp3 player and plug it into the computer

4. Sync the book data to the player.

A word about the audiobook's length is in order. Although a full length unabridged audiobook can be over ten hours long don't expect the young ones to complete it all at once. Their attention span will not stretch this far. Many children's titles are much shorter and can easily be completed during a trip. Try a full dramatization for a little added interest. The peaceful atmosphere while they are listening will make all your effort worthwhile.

Now for the big ending. Imagine what just may happen when you end the trip before they complete the story. You've got it! Your child may very well just ask you to drive a few more miles. Whether you circle the block a few times or tell them to wait for the return trip is up to you.

Your there now and in your right mind too! You think, "This was certainly better than our last trip."

I realize that this won't work for everyone but if you have not tried it how can you know what will happen? Get a shorter title like a dramatization of "Treasure Island" and d see for yourself.