Parenting

Top 10 Things That Drive Us Crazy When The Kids Are in The Car

by Laurie Ulster
Updated: 
Originally Published: 

I’m glad I don’t drive every day, because I’d probably go out of my mind.

According to NBC News, the number one cause of road rage is seeing other drivers texting. Do people really do that? It’s crazy-dangerous! They’re nuts! No wonder they’re causing road rage.

The next three biggest causes of road rage are tailgaters, left lane hogs and crawlers. I think most drivers can identify with those.

But we all know that there’s another story here, and it’s sort of like that old movie When a Stranger Calls. Yep: It’s when the problem is coming from INSIDE the car.

Because I am a parent.

When I’m driving, I’m not ferrying adults around—I’ve got kids in the back seat. So here, with some input from my husband, are the Top 10 worst offenses perpetrated by children in my car.

Seat Kicking

I don’t care if it’s in rhythm with the music. Quit it.

Playing with the Windows

It’s okay when we all have windows open, but just opening ONE makes my ears pop over and over and over again.

Shrieking for No Reason, Without Any Warning

This inevitably happens because they thought of something that is completely unrelated to being in the car.

Responding Out Loud to Video Games and Then Getting Annoyed When I Ask Them, “What? What?”

But then also getting mad if they say something and we ignore them, because we think they’re still responding to video games.

Arguing With Each Other

Or baiting each other, or doing things to gross each other out.

Asking If We’re There Yet

A classic.

Asking How Much Longer the Drive Is Going to Be

In miles, minutes and seconds. And then being mad when we’re wrong.

Asking Questions About Where We’re Going When We’ve Never Been There Before

Our inability to see into the future is always a disappointment.

Asking What’s For Dinner, Even Though It’s Still Morning

As if we control the restaurant menus of every city on earth.

Asking Anything, After They’ve Asked Us All the Other Questions, Above

It’s called cause and effect, kids.

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