Taking a Backseat

Traveling with younger kids is hard, trust me, I know.  Our minivan has plenty of battle scars — not to mention, unidentifiable stains, which will stay that way, because, seriously, I don't even WANT to know!

I am STILL finding petrified food, circa 2006.  

My husband, Garth (not his real name) refers to the minivan as the S.S. Movable Feast, ever since the ant infestation…that ONE time…and who knew ants have a very keen sense for fishy crackers, right?!?

[sound of crickets, chirping]

I have clocked in a lot of miles, driving kids to and from…well…everywhere and spent countless number of hours…sitting in traffic…or fighting my way through parking lots, sometimes ALL in the same day.

I grew accustomed to it, pretty quickly, and often times would steal a brief glimpse of my kids in the rear view mirror, staring at the back of my head or slumped in their car seats, fast asleep.  

I also became quite adept at back-handing them their juice boxes (fishy crackers, not so much) while we discussed real meaning of life sort of stuff.

Like, what happens when you hold your nose, fart and sneeze at the same time?  Would your brain ooze out of your ears or your eyes bleed boogers?

The answer, by the way, is:  not yet.

My kids grew up in our minivan (me too!) and, now that my oldest is driving and with the middle girl applying for her learner's permit this spring (HOLD ME!), I am slowly beginning to get used to the idea of not having to drive…especially, if I really don't want to…sort of.

View from the backseat

Today, I feel it safe to say:  traveling with grown kids is even harder, because this is what happens when your 14 year-old reaches 6 feet on the measuring wall.

Guess I should start getting used to this view, eh?

© 2003 – 2013 This Full House

Comments

90 responses to “Taking a Backseat”

  1. Momo Fali Avatar

    I think I’ll prefer the view from my couch while my kids are out running my errands.

  2. Momo Fali Avatar

    I think I’ll prefer the view from my couch while my kids are out running my errands.

  3. Momo Fali Avatar

    I think I’ll prefer the view from my couch while my kids are out running my errands.

  4. Momo Fali Avatar

    I think I’ll prefer the view from my couch while my kids are out running my errands.

  5. Momo Fali Avatar

    I think I’ll prefer the view from my couch while my kids are out running my errands.

  6. Momo Fali Avatar

    I think I’ll prefer the view from my couch while my kids are out running my errands.

  7. Momo Fali Avatar

    I think I’ll prefer the view from my couch while my kids are out running my errands.

  8. Momo Fali Avatar

    I think I’ll prefer the view from my couch while my kids are out running my errands.

  9. Momo Fali Avatar

    I think I’ll prefer the view from my couch while my kids are out running my errands.

  10. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Move over, Rover 😉

  11. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Move over, Rover 😉

  12. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Move over, Rover 😉

  13. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Move over, Rover 😉

  14. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Move over, Rover 😉

  15. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Move over, Rover 😉

  16. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Move over, Rover 😉

  17. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Move over, Rover 😉

  18. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Move over, Rover 😉

  19. Colleen Avatar

    Just think about all of the blogging/social networking you’ll be able to do from that back seat! 🙂

  20. Colleen Avatar

    Just think about all of the blogging/social networking you’ll be able to do from that back seat! 🙂

  21. Colleen Avatar

    Just think about all of the blogging/social networking you’ll be able to do from that back seat! 🙂

  22. Colleen Avatar

    Just think about all of the blogging/social networking you’ll be able to do from that back seat! 🙂

  23. Colleen Avatar

    Just think about all of the blogging/social networking you’ll be able to do from that back seat! 🙂

  24. Colleen Avatar

    Just think about all of the blogging/social networking you’ll be able to do from that back seat! 🙂

  25. Colleen Avatar

    Just think about all of the blogging/social networking you’ll be able to do from that back seat! 🙂

  26. Colleen Avatar

    Just think about all of the blogging/social networking you’ll be able to do from that back seat! 🙂

  27. Colleen Avatar

    Just think about all of the blogging/social networking you’ll be able to do from that back seat! 🙂

  28. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Heh, if only there were a tax exemption for that, Colleen.

  29. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Heh, if only there were a tax exemption for that, Colleen.

  30. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Heh, if only there were a tax exemption for that, Colleen.

  31. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Heh, if only there were a tax exemption for that, Colleen.

  32. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Heh, if only there were a tax exemption for that, Colleen.

  33. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Heh, if only there were a tax exemption for that, Colleen.

  34. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Heh, if only there were a tax exemption for that, Colleen.

  35. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Heh, if only there were a tax exemption for that, Colleen.

  36. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Heh, if only there were a tax exemption for that, Colleen.

  37. Joan Avatar
    Joan

    I’ve seen that view many times. After the oldest started driving and her sister wanted to sit in the front to talk to her, guess where I had to sit? Do you ever get used to it? I guess . . . By the way, I agree with Momo, it’s much better to sit on the couch while the kids are running the errands . . . especially during rush hour. I’m evil that way.

  38. Joan Avatar
    Joan

    I’ve seen that view many times. After the oldest started driving and her sister wanted to sit in the front to talk to her, guess where I had to sit? Do you ever get used to it? I guess . . . By the way, I agree with Momo, it’s much better to sit on the couch while the kids are running the errands . . . especially during rush hour. I’m evil that way.

  39. Joan Avatar
    Joan

    I’ve seen that view many times. After the oldest started driving and her sister wanted to sit in the front to talk to her, guess where I had to sit? Do you ever get used to it? I guess . . . By the way, I agree with Momo, it’s much better to sit on the couch while the kids are running the errands . . . especially during rush hour. I’m evil that way.

  40. Joan Avatar
    Joan

    I’ve seen that view many times. After the oldest started driving and her sister wanted to sit in the front to talk to her, guess where I had to sit? Do you ever get used to it? I guess . . . By the way, I agree with Momo, it’s much better to sit on the couch while the kids are running the errands . . . especially during rush hour. I’m evil that way.

  41. Joan Avatar
    Joan

    I’ve seen that view many times. After the oldest started driving and her sister wanted to sit in the front to talk to her, guess where I had to sit? Do you ever get used to it? I guess . . . By the way, I agree with Momo, it’s much better to sit on the couch while the kids are running the errands . . . especially during rush hour. I’m evil that way.

  42. Joan Avatar
    Joan

    I’ve seen that view many times. After the oldest started driving and her sister wanted to sit in the front to talk to her, guess where I had to sit? Do you ever get used to it? I guess . . . By the way, I agree with Momo, it’s much better to sit on the couch while the kids are running the errands . . . especially during rush hour. I’m evil that way.

  43. Joan Avatar
    Joan

    I’ve seen that view many times. After the oldest started driving and her sister wanted to sit in the front to talk to her, guess where I had to sit? Do you ever get used to it? I guess . . . By the way, I agree with Momo, it’s much better to sit on the couch while the kids are running the errands . . . especially during rush hour. I’m evil that way.

  44. Joan Avatar
    Joan

    I’ve seen that view many times. After the oldest started driving and her sister wanted to sit in the front to talk to her, guess where I had to sit? Do you ever get used to it? I guess . . . By the way, I agree with Momo, it’s much better to sit on the couch while the kids are running the errands . . . especially during rush hour. I’m evil that way.

  45. Joan Avatar
    Joan

    I’ve seen that view many times. After the oldest started driving and her sister wanted to sit in the front to talk to her, guess where I had to sit? Do you ever get used to it? I guess . . . By the way, I agree with Momo, it’s much better to sit on the couch while the kids are running the errands . . . especially during rush hour. I’m evil that way.

  46. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Well then…color me evil, too…Joan and quit hogging the blanket 😉

  47. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Well then…color me evil, too…Joan and quit hogging the blanket 😉

  48. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Well then…color me evil, too…Joan and quit hogging the blanket 😉

  49. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Well then…color me evil, too…Joan and quit hogging the blanket 😉

  50. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Well then…color me evil, too…Joan and quit hogging the blanket 😉

  51. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Well then…color me evil, too…Joan and quit hogging the blanket 😉

  52. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Well then…color me evil, too…Joan and quit hogging the blanket 😉

  53. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Well then…color me evil, too…Joan and quit hogging the blanket 😉

  54. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Well then…color me evil, too…Joan and quit hogging the blanket 😉

  55. Tara R. Avatar

    I kind of like being chauffeured around and having someone else run errands for me. Embrace it.

  56. Tara R. Avatar

    I kind of like being chauffeured around and having someone else run errands for me. Embrace it.

  57. Tara R. Avatar

    I kind of like being chauffeured around and having someone else run errands for me. Embrace it.

  58. Tara R. Avatar

    I kind of like being chauffeured around and having someone else run errands for me. Embrace it.

  59. Tara R. Avatar

    I kind of like being chauffeured around and having someone else run errands for me. Embrace it.

  60. Tara R. Avatar

    I kind of like being chauffeured around and having someone else run errands for me. Embrace it.

  61. Tara R. Avatar

    I kind of like being chauffeured around and having someone else run errands for me. Embrace it.

  62. Tara R. Avatar

    I kind of like being chauffeured around and having someone else run errands for me. Embrace it.

  63. Tara R. Avatar

    I kind of like being chauffeured around and having someone else run errands for me. Embrace it.

  64. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Oh, I am Tara, big time.  Being sent to the backseat, not so much…I have really long legs, too…dammit 😉

  65. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Oh, I am Tara, big time.  Being sent to the backseat, not so much…I have really long legs, too…dammit 😉

  66. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Oh, I am Tara, big time.  Being sent to the backseat, not so much…I have really long legs, too…dammit 😉

  67. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Oh, I am Tara, big time.  Being sent to the backseat, not so much…I have really long legs, too…dammit 😉

  68. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Oh, I am Tara, big time.  Being sent to the backseat, not so much…I have really long legs, too…dammit 😉

  69. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Oh, I am Tara, big time.  Being sent to the backseat, not so much…I have really long legs, too…dammit 😉

  70. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Oh, I am Tara, big time.  Being sent to the backseat, not so much…I have really long legs, too…dammit 😉

  71. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Oh, I am Tara, big time.  Being sent to the backseat, not so much…I have really long legs, too…dammit 😉

  72. Liz@ThisFullHouse Avatar

    Oh, I am Tara, big time.  Being sent to the backseat, not so much…I have really long legs, too…dammit 😉

  73. A Day in May Design Avatar

    At least you can take a nap in the backseat :).

  74. A Day in May Design Avatar

    At least you can take a nap in the backseat :).

  75. A Day in May Design Avatar

    At least you can take a nap in the backseat :).

  76. A Day in May Design Avatar

    At least you can take a nap in the backseat :).

  77. A Day in May Design Avatar

    At least you can take a nap in the backseat :).

  78. A Day in May Design Avatar

    At least you can take a nap in the backseat :).

  79. A Day in May Design Avatar

    At least you can take a nap in the backseat :).

  80. A Day in May Design Avatar

    At least you can take a nap in the backseat :).

  81. A Day in May Design Avatar

    At least you can take a nap in the backseat :).

  82. Jan@coveroo Avatar

    Lol
    It’s that time right. It’s a bit funny when people are short one year and soaring above you the next.
    I remember when I was about 11 or 2 and you know girls are often taller than boys at that age. Almost all of the boys I knew at that point were shorter than my friends and I. That didn’t last forever of course. Within a few years most of them had soared past us.
    There were a few exceptions- the young men who were destined to be average height or a little below that. I bet your son is glad that he’s had his growth spurt so early. It will make him more of a hit with the girls.

  83. Jan@coveroo Avatar

    Lol
    It’s that time right. It’s a bit funny when people are short one year and soaring above you the next.
    I remember when I was about 11 or 2 and you know girls are often taller than boys at that age. Almost all of the boys I knew at that point were shorter than my friends and I. That didn’t last forever of course. Within a few years most of them had soared past us.
    There were a few exceptions- the young men who were destined to be average height or a little below that. I bet your son is glad that he’s had his growth spurt so early. It will make him more of a hit with the girls.

  84. Jan@coveroo Avatar

    Lol
    It’s that time right. It’s a bit funny when people are short one year and soaring above you the next.
    I remember when I was about 11 or 2 and you know girls are often taller than boys at that age. Almost all of the boys I knew at that point were shorter than my friends and I. That didn’t last forever of course. Within a few years most of them had soared past us.
    There were a few exceptions- the young men who were destined to be average height or a little below that. I bet your son is glad that he’s had his growth spurt so early. It will make him more of a hit with the girls.

  85. Jan@coveroo Avatar

    Lol
    It’s that time right. It’s a bit funny when people are short one year and soaring above you the next.
    I remember when I was about 11 or 2 and you know girls are often taller than boys at that age. Almost all of the boys I knew at that point were shorter than my friends and I. That didn’t last forever of course. Within a few years most of them had soared past us.
    There were a few exceptions- the young men who were destined to be average height or a little below that. I bet your son is glad that he’s had his growth spurt so early. It will make him more of a hit with the girls.

  86. Jan@coveroo Avatar

    Lol
    It’s that time right. It’s a bit funny when people are short one year and soaring above you the next.
    I remember when I was about 11 or 2 and you know girls are often taller than boys at that age. Almost all of the boys I knew at that point were shorter than my friends and I. That didn’t last forever of course. Within a few years most of them had soared past us.
    There were a few exceptions- the young men who were destined to be average height or a little below that. I bet your son is glad that he’s had his growth spurt so early. It will make him more of a hit with the girls.

  87. Jan@coveroo Avatar

    Lol
    It’s that time right. It’s a bit funny when people are short one year and soaring above you the next.
    I remember when I was about 11 or 2 and you know girls are often taller than boys at that age. Almost all of the boys I knew at that point were shorter than my friends and I. That didn’t last forever of course. Within a few years most of them had soared past us.
    There were a few exceptions- the young men who were destined to be average height or a little below that. I bet your son is glad that he’s had his growth spurt so early. It will make him more of a hit with the girls.

  88. Jan@coveroo Avatar

    Lol
    It’s that time right. It’s a bit funny when people are short one year and soaring above you the next.
    I remember when I was about 11 or 2 and you know girls are often taller than boys at that age. Almost all of the boys I knew at that point were shorter than my friends and I. That didn’t last forever of course. Within a few years most of them had soared past us.
    There were a few exceptions- the young men who were destined to be average height or a little below that. I bet your son is glad that he’s had his growth spurt so early. It will make him more of a hit with the girls.

  89. Jan@coveroo Avatar

    Lol
    It’s that time right. It’s a bit funny when people are short one year and soaring above you the next.
    I remember when I was about 11 or 2 and you know girls are often taller than boys at that age. Almost all of the boys I knew at that point were shorter than my friends and I. That didn’t last forever of course. Within a few years most of them had soared past us.
    There were a few exceptions- the young men who were destined to be average height or a little below that. I bet your son is glad that he’s had his growth spurt so early. It will make him more of a hit with the girls.

  90. Jan@coveroo Avatar

    Lol
    It’s that time right. It’s a bit funny when people are short one year and soaring above you the next.
    I remember when I was about 11 or 2 and you know girls are often taller than boys at that age. Almost all of the boys I knew at that point were shorter than my friends and I. That didn’t last forever of course. Within a few years most of them had soared past us.
    There were a few exceptions- the young men who were destined to be average height or a little below that. I bet your son is glad that he’s had his growth spurt so early. It will make him more of a hit with the girls.