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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Screens in rear seats - AIBU?

71 replies

GinDaddyRedux · 12/07/2020 10:05

My DW and I are looking at two examples of the same car. One has rear screens built into the headrests, the other doesn't ( but has some extra speakers and functionality that I'd love ).

DW makes a fair point that because we regularly do journeys of 5 hours + each way, with two young DCs it would be nice to have screens.

I think we don't need them at all. We don't currently have them, and for me it just introduces yet another place in our lives where a screen will be clamoured for because it's literally staring them in the face.

AIBU here to gently object? My DW tends to win most arguments as she is the most rational and the centre of our house but I thought I'd throw it out to the forum.

FYI would be the first time we've had screens of any sort in the car.

OP posts:
Original poster
GinDaddyRedux · 12/07/2020 10:06

Centre of our household even! She's not literally the focal point of our dwelling.

OP posts:
LoisLittsLover · 12/07/2020 10:09

I agree with you. I think they're really unnecessary in the car but once your dc have them they will always want them. There's loads of games and music that they can have without screens

NannyR · 12/07/2020 10:12

I would get some cheap tablets and a holder to attach them to the headrest and use those for long journeys. I think that if they are in the car all the time, the kids will be nagging to use them on shorter journeys.
As an aside, audiobooks are great at keeping kids quiet on long journeys as an alternative to screens.

Wynston · 12/07/2020 10:13

Is there much difference in cost of vehicle??

trilbydoll · 12/07/2020 10:15

Just the thought of screens makes me feel car sick. Audio books are better, they're more likely to fall asleep Grin

PotteringAlong · 12/07/2020 10:16

I agree with you. No screens in the car, and we also regularly do long journeys.

CaptainMyCaptain · 12/07/2020 10:16

My daughter has a screen for playing dvds in the back of their Transporter. It was useful for many a 6 hour drive to Cornwall with 4 young children. They are all older now and have their own devices.

HoppingPavlova · 12/07/2020 10:18

It really depends on how long they spend in the car. When mine were younger I had them as we often did trips a few hours each way. Family holidays would consist of driving, often 8hrs at a stretch to get between towns in remote areas, boring never ending bush out the window. Hardly conducive to eye spy. You bet we had built in screens for them.

NormHonal · 12/07/2020 10:18

We had this debate several years ago when choosing the spec of a new car.

You can buy a tablet and a holder that clips to the car seat at a later date if you decide they're useful. Much much cheaper and more versatile.

HoppyHop · 12/07/2020 10:19

We had them in a people carrier when my DC were small (all under 10). We told them they were only to be used on journeys over 1 hour. We stuck to that and they accepted it (think there was one tantrum from memory!). They were great 😊

Ladybyrd · 12/07/2020 10:19

Our son has a kindle with a generic headrest holder. We bought it when he was 2 since we were getting the ferry to spain and then driving to Portugal since it's a heck of a journey to try to keep a toddler entertained. It definitely saved our sanity, even after hours of Hey Duggee.

We haven't really used the holder since but he does use the tablet a bit and it has helped him with his alphabet and numerical skills.

clairedelalune · 12/07/2020 10:21

No screens in our car either and regularly do very long journeys with small child. Looking out of window, audio books, singing, talking, sleeping are entertainment. Also has a drawing mat.

7ofNine · 12/07/2020 10:21

I think those airline-style tables that fold down are far more useful! They usually have a drink holder, and give them more space to put their stuff.

lyralalala · 12/07/2020 10:21

If you regularly do long journeys I'd seriously consider it. They make a big difference when I do regular 6 hour journeys.

I also like them built in, rather than just in hands or holders, from a safety point of view. The only thing I can remember clearly from an accident a few years back was the amount of stuff flying around inside my car.

I'm strict with them though, they do not go on unless we are going somewhere at least an hour/ninety minutes away.

MinesAPintOfTea · 12/07/2020 10:23

Depends: how are the DC currently on those long car journeys? Do they whine endlessly, or otherwise behave in a way that causes your dw stress?

Of all the times to limit screens, long boring car journeys aren't high on my list. And I have a DS who loves audiobooks and reading in the car....

My biggest no would be if either got travel sick

Original poster
GinDaddyRedux · 12/07/2020 10:36

@Wynston

Weirdly the one with the screens is costlier but it's a "special edition" last of the line run-off model where they threw every extra at it.

The one I prefer is £2.5k cheaper, has all the same sort of kit (bluetooth audio, permanent 4WD, smartphone link, high end speakers etc) but no screens.

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BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 12/07/2020 10:40

We have recently allowed dc to use their kindle fires on long journeys (4h plus) but only after we have done the halfway stop off.

Prior to that they have toys,books, the view etc to keep themselves entertained. And we put audio books on too if needed.

I wouldn't buy a car with pre fitted screens.

Bert2020 · 12/07/2020 10:43

Tablets are better for limiting time spent. Also be prepared for sickness.

Wtfdidwedo · 12/07/2020 10:44

For £2.5k you can buy two nice tablets and holders if DW still wants them surely...?

1300cakes · 12/07/2020 10:45

I'm not against screens or particularly strict on screen time but even I wouldn't go for this, what's next, a screen in their pillows? As pps have said, if you change your mind a tablet and holder could always be clipped in later.

PigletJohn · 12/07/2020 10:46

I have a car with them, they used to be thought a luxury item and rather expensive, but you can now buy some kind of tablet in Argos for much less and hang it on the headrest in front.

What are you expecting to pay for them?

PigletJohn · 12/07/2020 10:46

oh, £2.5k I see.

Not worth it, IMO.

JuniperBeer · 12/07/2020 10:50

You'd get more functionality with buying tablets and secure holders. And you could use them in and outside of the car!! You could get two top spec iPad Pro's for that!!

Sickofbroccoli · 12/07/2020 10:50

I wouldn’t pay the extra for them, no. But if you’re considering it, definitely try it out in your current car with a tablet first - DS1 is incredibly travel sick and we first found this out in a relatives car with the screens. The worst case scenario would be paying for it and then finding out it makes your DC sick so they’re useless.

Original poster
GinDaddyRedux · 12/07/2020 10:55

So much good advice here re tablets etc thank you!

I should have said the £2.5k one had slightly lower mileage (29k instead of 38k) but genuinely not fussed as both have full dealer service histories.

I agree that £2.5k is a lot more to pay for one with inflexible tech that only plays DVDs etc

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