Did you know that the average American spends 100 hours a year commuting to work? So, what of those parents who do double duty commuting to work, carting children around to various extra-curricular activities, running errands and in some cases using the family vehicle as a means to lull a cranky baby to sleep. How many hours a year do they spend in the car? A lot.
I should know. Our family spends way too much time in our vehicles. Which is why such a great appreciation for the individual who invented the car cup holder. I once saw a van that came equipped with like 14-cup holders and I think I drooled in every one of them. Nothing says love than a vehicle with more cup holders than passengers. And, I know I am not alone. American families are all about food-friendly driving.
Think about it. Whether it’s something from the refrigerator or something from a fast food restaurant—how many times a week do you find yourself eating in your vehicle? If you answered, at least three then you may be interested in a great website that I visit quite often. Familyonboard.com specializes in accessories that help you eat in the car–and even do some cooking.
Some of my favorite new gadgets that can help you feed the family while you’re traveling include: trays to help keep food secure on a passenger’s lap, coolers on the back of seats. They even sell a refrigerator for your car. I don’t drink coffee, but if you do and don’t like to waste time sitting in a drive-thru ordering a fresh cup the site offers a car coffee maker. The power comes from the cigarette lighter. Both the refrigerator and the coffeemaker retails for about $80.
Remember that van with the 12-cup holders? Well, carmakers are no dummies when it comes to catering to families on the go. In addition, to having wall-to-wall cup holders, some vehicles now have cup holders cooled by the air conditioner. Which brings us to the issue of safety. Whereas, I am enamored by all of the gadgets featured on the familyonboard site, I would agree with the experts who recommend that you eat only on open, crowd-free roads. I could tell you why, but I am afraid that I would incriminate the man that I married…
Related Articles:
On The Road With Children–“Sanity-Savers”
Traveling with Children–The Travel Buddy