Toddlers: There is no doubt that car seats are unwieldy and heavy. Strapping a squirming, stubborn, over-tired child into a car seat is not one of life's more pleasant chores.
It is gratifying when they finally sob themselves to sleep though.
Teenagers: You go out to your car and, as you're turning the key, you think the seat is too far back. Your brain isn't able to send a message to your hands to stop turning the key fast enough and the next thing you know you're having to peel yourself off the roof of the car and your ears are ringing for days (just like that one time you went to a Scorpions concert when you were 18). Oh yeah, your mirrors are all messed up too.
It is gratifying when they go to the store for the oyster sauce you forgot to get for the stir-fry sauce for the dinner you've already started making though.
I hear ya'. At least I think I hear you. It might just be a ringing, screeching sound in my ears.
Posted by: Blognut | June 15, 2009 at 12:51 AM
LOL, so you were at that Scorpions concert, too? :)
Posted by: kcinnova | June 15, 2009 at 06:33 AM
And can someone tell me why teenaged boys must recline while driving??? Try adjusting the back of your seat after Sonny Boy borrowed the car - without inflicting serious damage to your spinal column!
Posted by: allmycke | June 15, 2009 at 06:40 AM
I have all this yet to come. We celebrated about a week ago the getting rid of the last car seat (my son's booster cushion thing). I know have 5 years till my eldest boy is old enough to drive. I will make the most of them!
My daughter has shown no inclination to learn - she never liked bicycles either!
Posted by: Reluctant Blogger | June 15, 2009 at 07:53 AM
Love the Scorpions . . . well, I used to love the Scorpions. "Still Loving You" was my first "girlfriend" song . . .
Posted by: tysdaddy | June 15, 2009 at 08:33 AM
Very funny. I can just imagine the stereo volume already!
Posted by: Suz | June 15, 2009 at 09:07 AM
It's not just teenage boys who recline. Husbands who were formerly teenagers still recline, and still have the stereo up loud!
Posted by: Smalltown Mom | June 15, 2009 at 10:07 AM
I'll take the music volume over the screaming volume ANY day!
Posted by: Fannie | June 15, 2009 at 11:03 AM
tradeoffs :-)
Posted by: Janet | June 15, 2009 at 11:16 AM
I just had a conversation with my sister-in-law. She has 3 kids who collectively do 7 different sports teams because basketball season and baseball season overlap.
We were calculating how many months until her 14 yr old gets his license.
I still have the radio issue when my husband drives my car. Sports Talk Radio at full blast.
Posted by: Little Miss Sunshine State | June 15, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Smalltown Mom - You're right, but I'd forgotten since I don't have one of those any longer...
Your comment gave me a good chuckle, though!
Posted by: allmycke | June 15, 2009 at 11:48 AM
That is hilarious! I have to admit though that my husband complains often of having to peel himself off of the ceiling of our car after I have driven it! Oh dear!
Posted by: Johannarupp@yahoo.com | June 15, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Do they get bonus points for adjusting the mirrors so they could see out of them?
Posted by: Leslie | June 15, 2009 at 04:41 PM
I will do a happy dance the day I don't have to buckle my kids in and out for every single frickin' errand.
Posted by: CC | June 15, 2009 at 04:56 PM
I know; it's always something.
Funny.
Posted by: Maureen at IslandRoar | June 15, 2009 at 05:10 PM
My sister has a car seat for her dog and buckles him in. He does not cry himself to sleep however.
Posted by: Suzy | June 15, 2009 at 05:30 PM
When I get in my husband's car I am blasted into the back seat by Black Sabbath, and flying dust.
Posted by: jenrantsraves | June 15, 2009 at 08:36 PM
My husbands adjustments and music volume are always worse than my kids, too!
Posted by: Susan | June 15, 2009 at 11:12 PM
I confess that I am the one guilty of high decibels. I do try to turn it all back down before putting the car in the garage.
I am also one of the lucky ones: my husband & I are nearly the same height and the 2 boys who drive (just a few inches taller) pretty much use our same seat & mirror settings.
Posted by: kcinnova | June 16, 2009 at 12:06 AM
Then there is the in-between stage where the children are able to snap their own seat belts on their car seats...without crying.
Posted by: JCK | June 16, 2009 at 12:25 AM
Ow! Not looking forward to this stage I don't think. Although, I probably do that to Hubby all the time. I always turn the music up supper loud on him when I drive his car. I'm a snot like that. :-)
Posted by: Lisa (Jonnysmommy) | June 16, 2009 at 09:16 AM
This is just starting to hit me. My son is just learning to drive! I can't wait! :P
Posted by: imom | June 16, 2009 at 06:30 PM
That's so funny! I used my Dad's car a lot before I got my own and I remember many times when he walked out to the garage, started the car, and I could hear the stereo blaring inside the house. A few moments later the door would fling open and he would grumble about the stereo being too loud, and his seat being too far forward. Good times!
Posted by: Kimberly | June 16, 2009 at 07:34 PM
Wait until all their friends stop over in their cars, and you have five car stereos blasting in your front yard!!!
Posted by: Zelzee | June 16, 2009 at 08:25 PM
Thanks for the warning. I'm sure I'll experience this live and personal and immediately think of you, Jenn! As in, "she tried to warn me."
Posted by: phd in yogurtry | June 18, 2009 at 12:23 AM
I wish I had a teenager to go to the store for me to get me some lemon pie. I'm craving lemon pie right now. ;-)
Posted by: she | June 18, 2009 at 02:07 AM