Kelly, you've talked to me when I'm in the car with the kids. It can get pretty loud. Travel with the twins was never a big deal when I had my big crossover car, but ever since my lease expired and I decided to drive my daughter's teensy, tiny 2-door Civic, riding in the car has been sheer, unadulterated hell.
I may have to admit this car is too small for my 5' 11 3/4" frame, let alone energetic six year-old twins sitting in each other's personal space for twenty minutes to and from school each day. If I had to carpool under these conditions I might try to stuff my sweaty sock in someone's mouth if they laughed at me, too.
I have invented a product that solves my problem. It is a ceiling-mounted aerosol misting machine, like the deodorizing ones in public bathrooms, that sprays a soothing Valium or Xanax mist throughout the car at periodic intervals. Huh? Huh? Good, right?
My prototype for this remarkable invention is not quite finished due to various legal and moral roadblocks, so the method I am currently using is yelling "Don't make me stop this car!" every few yards. Not only do I say it, I actually do it.
I give them a very clear warning to stop whatever they are doing to potentially make my eye tic permanent. If they continue, I pull the car over at the next safe opportunity and we sit quietly. They hate this. It's like time-out in the car. I won't consider moving the car until they are perfectly quiet. This really is quite effective, and isn't likely to lead to my arrest.
I drink a lot of coffee in the car and have been looking for a cute travel mug. Also, I'm like most moms who get sick of the sound of their own voice sometimes, so when the kids go off I'm planning to just hold up my new mug.
Update: I linked up at Blissfully Domestic - Week 13. Check out what everyone is up to over there.
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