Car Rides: Encouraging Family Talks
Over the years, more specifically since we have a car in Jakarta (and that’s 9.5 years ago since we last moved here! Too fast!), we have created this habit of “car talks” with the kids.
Basically it means, we chat in the car.
Sure we have music, but no watching “cartoons” or movies in the car, and we avoid playing games on phones.
Why?
Because we want everyone to interact and, … talk with each other (yes, this may mean arguing and bickering among the kids)
Oh, btw, definitely NO earphones to listen to “own music”.
i.e. whatever music is chosen to be played in the car, everyone listens to it.
Naturally, not everyone “likes” other people’s music choices, but the kids need to learn to tolerate others who are different from them, and that we can’t just shut away other people and “create our own world” simply because we have different preferences.
…
How about checking WhatsApp messages, watching TikTok clips, browsing Instagram posts, etc.? After all, we have 2 teens with own phones, right?
Yes, they do check their phones. I often need to reply to messages too while Wilson drives. But the point is, everyone knows that we are not to be engrossed with our phones, as if it’s the only thing that we are interested in. After checking and quick browsing, we put it away.
And we chat.
To us, it’s a great way to make ourselves “available” for the kids to ask and share with us about ANYTHING. We share life lessons with them, … values, news updates, even lame jokes, haha.
Anyway.
Earlier today, one of the kids asked, “If both the man and woman are mature, then there should be minimal problems in their marriage, right?”
(“Kalau dua-dua laki dan perempuan udah dewasa, mestinya ga ada terlalu banyak problem dalam pernikahan mereka kan?”)
Interesting question, I thought.
It’s nice that we have opportunities to discuss different kinds of topics together, while everyone is “stuck” in the car, hehe.
