The Alphabet Game is a dying art....

Jan 24, 2019 12:04 AM

JarJarDrinks

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87214

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2160

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104

Annoyed by the people who brag in these comments about how they limit or restrict screen time for their kids. It’s easy, fuck off.

7 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

And it fucking sucked. I read books

7 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Why are we upvoting boomer memes

7 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 4

7 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 2

Honey, can you call IT, the Facebook is leaking again.

7 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I had books, we would pickup a new one at a junk shop every 4 days

7 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

7 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 1

Bullshit you did, this is a portable system from the late 90s.

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

are you gatekeeping a car ride

7 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 1

Congrats?

7 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

We played I Spy or just listened to the radio.

7 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 0

AM, fading in and out

7 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

And you turned out to be the type of person that whines about children on the internet.

7 years ago | Likes 18 Dislikes 5

When youre so old you make a meme using technology 15 years past, kindle 50$ and download like 300+ movies with 15$ bluetooth earphones

7 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

It was a great trip if I could hold the map and “give directions “

7 years ago | Likes 26 Dislikes 0

That’s how I learned to read a map, my dad pretty much already knew, but I was his “navigator”

7 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

shut up boomer

7 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 3

My dad used to post a tiny tube tv in between the front seats for me to hook my super nes into for long car rides. Best memories ever.

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Alphabet game is still good for drivers as long as you don't get so focused on it you miss a turn.

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

My kid has a Chromecast. For real. Wifi + HDMI = happy parents. Don't judge me. We really only use it on trips over an hour.

7 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Teach your kid to engage with the media in a good way, and nothing is lost either, creative/imagination wise.

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

Oh yeah, we do a lot of planet Earth/blue planet type stuff and then quiz him. It helps we were both aquarists/zookeepers at one time.

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

See, that's something I can respect! *thumbs up* Keep guiding and engaging with whatever your kid shows interest in, and you'll be golden.

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I had wine coolers and sleep as a kid

7 years ago | Likes 42 Dislikes 3

Sounds like you had a fun childhood

7 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 0

No you fucking didn't, you had a god damn gameboy that you had to rely street lamps you old cook.

7 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Remember when you would see the letter you were all stuck on (Q for example) and you'd wait till the last possible moment to call it out so

7 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

That your siblings wouldn't have enough time to see it and call it? The Alphabet took skill and strategy, guys!

7 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

When we played it once you called a word it was “taken” and they had to find a different word /sign. So you wanted to call it fast!!

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

See, the way we played, multiple people could call a letter off of the same sign, but once you called a letter off of a sign you couldn't

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Call the NEXT letter off of that same sign.

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

boo fucking hoo, be happy they dont have to not jealous of a fucking child, the past, historically, has never once been better

7 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 4

Thank you! People bitching because they had to handle boredom then and now people created ways to entertain kids and keep the parents sane.

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

The past had living dinosaurs in it.

7 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

you dont know that, maybe they were always fossils

7 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 2

No, you're thinking of grandpa.

7 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Kids not bored? Parent doesnt have to deal with noise and fighting? Sounds like a win/win

7 years ago | Likes 69 Dislikes 11

"I wanna watch FROZEN!!" "TOY STORY!!!" "FROZEN!!!"

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 2

I have no doubt that most kids now have their own tablet or device to watch what they want. They're incredibly cheap

7 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Don't have to pay attention to your kids? Don't have to teach them about conflict resolution? Sounds like a lose/lose. (commenced downvotes)

7 years ago | Likes 37 Dislikes 45

Don't have to focus on your kids when you should be focusing on the road? Kids not bored? Win/win.

7 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

Don't have to pay attention while you're maneuvering 3 tons of steel down a crowded highway? There's a time and place for conflict 1/?

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

resolution lessons, you probably don't have kids. 2/2

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Said like someone who doesnt have kids. Like usual. Please come spend a weekend with my kids and see how fast you pray for 5 min of peace

7 years ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 0

You asked, you shall receive.

7 years ago | Likes 18 Dislikes 3

Ah yes, because right in the middle of a drive is when you turn your head around and start teaching your child.

7 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Moron... It's about them using their imagination and engaging WITH them like you would any other passenger.

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 2

I don't know how many times I learned about conflict resolution in the backseat of a car as a child.

7 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

Hard to pay attention to your kids when you're driving. If you have kids, you also know conflicts occur everywhere. But Im thinking you dont

7 years ago | Likes 29 Dislikes 3

It's not about paying then attention. It's about teaching them to manage themselves... enjoy the world and look around instead of at screens

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 3

That can be done with nature walks and a host of other activities. But road trips are BORING. There is nothing informational or enjoyable 1/

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

In many road trips. Being able to relax and watch a movie on a long trip is fine. We only made up games and started out windows when we 2/3

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I had books, or had to share my game boy color with my little brother. 16 hour drive from VA to FL.

7 years ago | Likes 99 Dislikes 2

I had Dramamine in high doses. Just knocked myself out and woke up when we got there.

7 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

24hrs in the back of a suburban; GI Joes, handhelds, & naps (my ear to the floor would put me out)

7 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

VA represent.

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Nothing special about living here. Bunch of 6s who think they’re 10s and a ton of meth. Even the beach just smells like fast food now.

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 2

I couldn't read in the car, I'd get car sick badly.

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

You had a game boy COLOR? Spoiled.

7 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

We also had one of these: Could save multiple pokemon games. No fights over lost data.

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Even though I love to read, I couldn't read in the car as a kid, car sickness. I was stuck with window watching and my CD player.

7 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

I would put the book up against the window and lean my head to reduce motion. Only one in my family that could read in car.

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I had books or the window for our trips to Florida and I'm in Ohio! 3 kids (1in a car seat) a dog & 2 parents in a Honda Accord 4 door.

7 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

Holy. Shit.

7 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Well ya know what I had? Motion sickness. I had 15 minutes of action on my Gameboy before I felt like vomiting.

7 years ago | Likes 17 Dislikes 0

When my dad got a car with tiny screens in the back I couldn't even watch for 15 min it'd be throw up for me :(

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

If I read like two sentences off a newspaper on the floor I was screwed for the rest of the trip. And suddenly it becomes a challenge to 1/

7 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

avoid seeing text everywhere and feeling worse. 2/2

7 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Are we gatekeeping fun on long trips?

7 years ago | Likes 31 Dislikes 1

Sounds like it. Horrible idea in my opinion, it will lead to resentment. Before, boredom was something bad to defeat. Now it's mandatory.

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

"I did'nt have this when I was young, and I turned out fine" -Any generation when there is a younger generation. It gotten stale already

7 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

The Car Passenger fandom is just the worst.

7 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

7 years ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 0

/shocked gasp - MY CHILDHOOD!!!

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

2014 copyright? They are still making those?

7 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

They sell some at AAA right next to the travel magazines

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

We used to get them for free at gas-stations

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I see 'em at Cracker Barrel.

7 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

What about imagining a tiny guy running across the scenery? Everyone did that, right?

7 years ago | Likes 436 Dislikes 11

Not a guy, but my Pokemon team. To/from school, each one had their spot to emerge/return

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

My tiny guy where my fingers and they run fast in front of the scenery

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I imagined I was dragging a big sword in the ground and then like flipping and cool shit. I still do that actually

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Spiderman. Sometimes me as Spiderman.

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Skateboarding bunny, looked like a cross between Bugs and the Nesquik one

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

If I did that as a kid I would have thrown up. :P Adult me only gets dizzy when looking at the phone while in a car. So that's fun.

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

For me it was always a ninja running on the telephone wires. Neat to see that others imagined it as well though

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Especially in farm country where the tilled rows could almost look like long legs in the right light.

7 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I ride dirt bikes. I always imagined hitting jumps. Especially culverts and driveway drainage ditches.

7 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

yup

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I pictured horses

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Mine was an elf lady on a horse running through the trees and sonic riding guardrails in the cities

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I always imagined I was on a skateboard and I was grinding and doing tricks in between things I couldn’t “grind” on

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I always imagined myself on a motorcycle racing in the ditch along side the vehicle.

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Fuck yeah, that was the best imagination game ever and it came in so many formats. Running from monsters, chasing monsters, just running etc

7 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Mine was a ninja hamster

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

If it rained, I saw all kinds of epic battles with the drops running across the glass. Also, noticed the affects of air across side windows

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

(Engineering family)

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I always imagined dragons, usually a little red one that looked very similar to Mushu from mulan.

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Mine was always skiing... even in the summer

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Yes

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I used to imagine an invisible leprechaun jumping and running about

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I always thought i was the copilot and had to maintain the proper engine mix and monitor other sensors to keep things in balance.

7 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

My guy was always snowboarding over the obstacles

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Always imagined the droidekas from star wars doing it as a kid.

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Flying dragon

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Skate boarder doing tricks. Now I'm 35 & fly freestyle drones. So it's that when I'm not driving now.

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

It was always a horse and it’d leap over any bush or driveway.

7 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

This is gold

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Watching the shadow of the car made it look like it was moving super fast.

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

YEP

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Damn, I'm 33 and I still do that.

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I imagined creatures destroying building's. Cloverfield style.

7 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I imagined I was speed-cruising across it on a hoverboard. And in power armor and using a sword to cut down all the phone poles.

7 years ago | Likes 48 Dislikes 1

Thought i was the only one

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Mine was a brown setter dog running alognside the car andI used to imagine it during highschool busing xD

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I used to imagine my older self chasing the car, slowly losing ground, and finally falling down, hand outstretched in desperation.

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

And so many similar things. We were part of an army convoy, blowing up enemy cars!

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

did?

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Mine was Spider- Man!

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I imagine a R/C car

7 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

The road is lava, power lines are zip lines, jumps are infinite and various road signs are powerups if you see 3 of the same one.

7 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

I imagined sonic.

7 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Me too! :D

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Same

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I used to pretend I needed to jump over phone poles and such as we drove past

7 years ago | Likes 24 Dislikes 0

It was a horse and I never would have thought other people did it too.

7 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

skateboard man doing sick jumps where the driveway curb met normal sidewalk and clearing the distance between driveways? no, never

7 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 0

This. ...I played my fair share of Tony Hawks Pro-skater as a kid, so... Yeah.

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Mine were all elemental guys but concrete, electricity, & grass so depending on what was there I had to switch imaginary characters

7 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

Just gonna leave this here. Enjoy. https://www.reddit.com/r/nosleep/comments/4i7cep/highway_dancer/

7 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Good shit I just read it.

7 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I imagined sly Cooper doing it

7 years ago | Likes 21 Dislikes 0

Oh shit son, me too

7 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Found the furry.

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 2

The tiny guy was always me and I was a fucking Olympic class acrobat / ninja.

7 years ago | Likes 78 Dislikes 1

Mine was me but as a dog lol

7 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Same! He had a sword that he used to cut down trees sometimes.

7 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 0

Please my car had a big chainsaw hanging off the side that I had to pull in quickly when we passed a sign

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Mine had a lobster claw that shot energy balls at other cars, but I had to aim carefully, or the lasers on the other cars would get me.

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I think it is important for kids to be bored in a car. Promotes imagination. Course I don't have kids so what do I know.

7 years ago | Likes 678 Dislikes 13

My Sister and BIL were never going to have screens in the car. First time BIL had to take the kids on a long drive: bought tablets.

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

How to pull out

7 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

It promotes constant questions while Thor trying to drive.

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

True. But when you have small kids that will fall asleep on a 20min drive and screw up their bedtime, a tablet is nice to keep them awake

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

“Im bored!” “Lucky we only have 3000km to go!”

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Then who the hell is that tied up in the back of your car ?

7 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 0

Keep quiet or you can join them

7 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 1

You were a kid. Experience counts.

7 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

I can tell you from my many cousins with kids - the ones who have been allowed to regularly entertain themselves are smarter and happier

7 years ago | Likes 102 Dislikes 1

I mean it makes sense. What promotes thought? Watching the same movies you see at home, or observing new surroundings for a source of fun?

7 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

My mom made us activity books for long haul trips. Stuff like identify license plates, find us on the map etc. MUUUCH more fun

7 years ago | Likes 28 Dislikes 0

Being bored for a while is one thing, having nothing to do in a 2-3 hour car trip is different.

7 years ago | Likes 22 Dislikes 2

Books on Tape. Actual cassettes. From the library.

7 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 2

My wife and I do that too. Of course, it's easy for them, cause our kids are imaginary. They take after my wife in that respect.

7 years ago | Likes 240 Dislikes 0

(Respectfully stolen from the Flight of the Conchords)

7 years ago | Likes 54 Dislikes 0

She's much better than the sort of women I imagine

7 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Having technology to prevent the endless fights, bickering and "are we there yets" is worth the small loss in imagination. We travel A LOT

7 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 3

I need to stay sane, too.

7 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

I have rules :No screens unless trip is more than 3 hours. Screens only used the last two hours of the trip.

7 years ago | Likes 49 Dislikes 3

OR! You could just chose better material for them to watch. Something to educate them. Or something EXTREMELY dull and boring.

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

I do this as well with mine. Especially on empty highway road trips.

7 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

As somebody who used to travel a lot as a kid if you want to root them and disencourage them from seeing the world, do this.

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Exactly! Forced boredom couples travel with not having fun and you eventually end up doing all you can to avoid the misery. Or I did, anyway

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Yep. I couldn't imagine how frustrated/even traumatized I would be about traveling without reading/my gameboy. I would've probably just>

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

>escaped to my grandparents instead of going anywhere since we traveled on a weekly basis. Now being into traveling is a turn on for me

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I think boredom for kids is underrated, it promotes so much creativity and learning. But boredom + confinement ends in disaster

7 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

Forced boredom is the opposite of stimulating. They know there are options available they are not allowed to partake in, so rather than 1/2

7 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

imagine new things, they learn to shut down for the duration instead, because trips=no fun allowed. The boredom is not natural anymore. 2/2

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Hear that, but when you have kids in a car on a long trip, a few movies does wonders for your sanity

7 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 2

And theirs honestly. How bored do you get on a 5 hour car ride? They do too.

7 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

I don't, because I grew up on the prairies & look out the window. If I can be entertained by canola for 8 hours, a kid can handle 5 elsewher

7 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 2

Good for you. I'd wager that you're not everyone, nor are you even most people. Long trips made me shut down, not more active.

7 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0