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Original poster

Possible crazy idea for kids in the back of the car

77 replies

LysistrataVickers · 01/08/2021 18:43

We're going on a bit of a road trip in 3 weeks and I'm quietly dreading the squabbling in the car from my two DSs (4 and 7). They can't watch tablets as it makes them car sick so tend to just wind each other up. They're happy to listen to audiobooks or music.

I have had an idea and would like some opinions as to whether you think it's a bit crazy. I'm not asking DH because he will think I'm crazy and if I go ahead and do it, I won't tell him what it is until I've finished it.

I have been looking up car back seat dividers of which there are a few but only in the US and Aus that I can find and are expensive.

So, I have ordered a long block of thick upholstery foam and am going to make a cotton cover for it and a slit for a seat belt to go through (similar to picture but taller) to essentially stop DSs from seeing each other and hope it'll keep them quieter. I know they will still be able to lob insults but they can't reach each other or pull faces which causes most of the problems.

I'm sure I'm going to get lots of replies about "just parent your children" and believe me we are trying but we have a lot going on at the moment which has made life difficult and I'd just like to make life a bit easier and enjoy my holiday.

Any opinions? Please be gentle, I'm a bit mentally delicate currently!!

Possible crazy idea for kids in the back of the car

OP posts:

EverNapping · 01/08/2021 19:10

Ah no, I see, you throw the individual Smarties out the window.

Now I just think you're missing a trick. EAT THE SMARTIES.

Original poster

LysistrataVickers · 01/08/2021 19:14

@HPmagic we do sometimes do that and it'll be plan B but then there is always the massive argument about who gets to go in front and for how long. And if I'm in the front I can control the radio/playlists!

OP posts:

Original poster

LysistrataVickers · 01/08/2021 19:16

@thanksamillion ahh that gives me hope!! I was losing the will to live on only an hours journey yesterday

OP posts:

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QualityMarguerite · 01/08/2021 19:19

I once improvised something similar after a violent altercation at the start of a large journey. Mine was made from that freakishly strong cardboard. Can’t remember why it was around but it was very effective.

Nameswaptime · 01/08/2021 19:21

How about two giant pieces of cardboard slotted in between theirs and the middle seat? Google image search “cardboard car seat dividers” and you’ll see what I mean.

1forAll74 · 01/08/2021 19:37

Probably get a bit wrecked after the novelty has worn off, but worth a try, to get some peace and quiet.

Flak · 01/08/2021 19:44

Could you make me one to divide an older co-sleeper & myself please

Flak · 01/08/2021 19:46

Btw I would try them with their tablets and a travel sickness medication?

LivingInABuildingSite · 01/08/2021 19:50

I’d like to point out

A) I am 100% antilittering so would never throw out the packaging

B) have never actually done this, but love the threat

&
C) would obvs actually eat the smarties while miming throwing them out, who would waste the chocolate?!

But agree with the safety message, never throw anything out of a moving car, esp on motorways, v dangerous.

ancientgran · 01/08/2021 19:53

Anything that might help is worth a go. When ours were little if they were getting restless and starting to squabble husband would announce there was a problem with the engine and everyone had to pedal. They would get lots of praise and encouragement and after a few minutes they would have the giggles and forget whatever was niggling them. Totally mad but it certainly made some long journeys bearable.

Original poster

LysistrataVickers · 01/08/2021 20:06

@flak I've had success with anti sickness meds but have been too scared to try the tablets with them!
I feel your pain. My older cosleeper will be 5 in two months so if it works I'll be certainly making a bed version, pillows are nowhere near sufficient!

@Nameswaptime I'll go off to google them now. My idea with the foam is similar so I could reinforce it with the cardboard.

@ancientgran that's cute! I'll try that at the next opportunity

OP posts:

Gubanc · 01/08/2021 20:10

If you decide to start making these as a business, please let us know OP, I'll be your first customer.
Next product could be a divider for the dining table.

LadyPeppermint · 01/08/2021 20:47

We always put the cool box between our two in the back (originally it was the best place for it as we could plug it in easily) but quickly realised it was a great move to give them their own space so let’s just say the cool box comes on every long trip now - not just camping 😂

Hm2020 · 01/08/2021 20:50

This is so funny If there’s any chance it will make it easier do it!

opinionminion · 01/08/2021 21:06

Get yourself on Dragons Den

HeronLanyon · 01/08/2021 21:09

Excellent idea. My siblings and I spent more time fighting over the foot space (both madly with feet on the central bit and lodging hard) so I would be interested in one which went down and included footwell division.

HeronLanyon · 01/08/2021 21:10

Pushing not lodging.

MerryMarigold · 01/08/2021 21:12

I think cardboard is a good edition. If this were my boys they would end up punching it towards each other. Luckily they have a sister who gets to sit in the middle, poor thing!

Galassia · 01/08/2021 21:15

My how times have changed! Myself and my children played I Spy, played Botticelli and had a list of things to tick off that they had seen in long journeys - man rising a bike, a white horse, blue van etc!

I would check it with your local fire station as I know they used to do safety checks on child car seats so may offer you professional advice and may even give your children a talk about behaving in the back of the car so as not to cause a distraction and an accident!

CigarsofthePharoahs · 01/08/2021 21:27

I fought with my siblings a lot on car journeys. Sadly there were three of us, so a seat divider would have meant leaving one of us behind. Actually, that would probably have saved a lot of arguments!
DH takes our two camping regularly and often makes a barrier out of bedding in the middle. Usually they end up asleep on it.

Original poster

LysistrataVickers · 01/08/2021 21:43

I'm am glad the general consensus is that I haven't completely lost my marbles I was concerned for a while

I'll see how it goes and if it does work well will let you all know and maybe consider costing it up as a potential side line on Etsy or similar.
Dragons Den would be ideal as a pp mentioned but I'm chronically shy and there is no way I'm going on TV!

OP posts:

BakedTattie · 01/08/2021 21:45

Please start making and selling these!

mrsrichardsglasses · 01/08/2021 21:47

Reminds me of Father Jack's box

Maybe you could have that as a backup plan?

OverByYer · 01/08/2021 21:49

Love it! They can lean on it too sleep as well. You could make a fortune with this idea

m0therofdragons · 01/08/2021 21:51

Why not just put one one in the front and you sit in the back

Because putting one child in the front seat at the start would begin a civil war… do you even have 2 or more dc? The front seat is the most coveted seat ever to every dc! This is the maddest suggestion on here

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