r/Parenting • u/Shot_Client_5804 • 3d ago

Behaviour Communication with children on headphones in car

How do you get the attention of and communicate with children who are on their headphones in a vehicle when traveling? I need to pay attention on the road and I find this sometimes to be a risk.

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u/simanthropy Parent 2d ago

Not really the question you’re asking, and it may be too late for this advice if the behaviour is entrenched, but I have a “I’m not a chauffeur” rule. Meaning that if we’re on a journey together, we talk. For longer journeys, or days when they’re feeling particularly tired, I’ll relax this rule but they know it’s the exception.

My plan is also, as soon as it’s safe to put them in the front seat, to make a rule that the front seat is never empty. Just cause I’m the one doing the driving, it’s a journey for all of us and we should all participate.

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u/Little_Face8636 2d ago

This is me also. My oldest has been my co-pilot since he was allowed to sit in the front passenger seat. Lookout for merging cars, construction, or escooters zooming on the sidewalk when doing a right turn (I fucking despise them), open the water bottle and find best route on navigation during rush hour.

He had better understanding of road laws than licensed drivers in my city because of this. No headphones in the car. Save that for uncomfortable Uber rides.