Comments on: Roadtrip entertainment: Learning to love car time

By: Joy

Joy — Sat, 26 May 2018 12:23:12 +0000

When I still had kids in the car, we used to listen to audiobooks together. It led to some great discussions. I have a daily commute now so I listen to sermons, podcasts, and audiobooks on a regular basis. Although I know that I could listen at home while cooking, folding laundry, etc., I really dislike it. I’d rather listen to music or be alone with my thoughts.

I’m tied to home in the mornings due to a caregiver situation so I’ve been thinking of getting a treadmill to walk before work. That’s a good time for audiobooks. It makes the time go quickly.

By: Laura Vanderkam

Laura Vanderkam — Fri, 25 May 2018 19:09:56 +0000

In reply to Meghan.

@Meghan – ooh, intriguing rule for the work-from-home set: don’t do anything during kid-free hours that could be done with the kids around. I suspect one reason my work hours have been lower than what I’m usually aiming for over the past year is because I have been doing errands and such during potential work time. Something to think about.

By: Laura Vanderkam

Laura Vanderkam — Fri, 25 May 2018 19:08:15 +0000

In reply to Deckled Edges. @Deckled Edges- very true. I've listened to podcasts while on the treadmill, and I've practiced speeches while cleaning the house, so all of those would be candidates for audio book listening time as well. Thanks for the tip!

By: Laura Vanderkam

Laura Vanderkam — Fri, 25 May 2018 19:07:32 +0000

In reply to Lina M. @Lina- thank you so much! I hope you enjoy some "off the clock" time reading it :)

By: Meghan

Meghan — Fri, 25 May 2018 18:28:58 +0000

I listen to audiobooks in the car with my kids — they’ve really gotten into Nancy Drew, so we download them from the library — or I listen to podcasts. I’m rarely in the car by myself, since I work from home and one of my personal rules is to not do anything during kid-free time that can be done with kids, which includes errands (I only have two, and they’re 8 and 5, so I totally get it that there are times when solo is better!). That makes both podcasts and audiobooks occasionally tricky, so I listen to “grown-up” things while doing dishes and tidying up around the house.
We often just chat in the car, or my kids read their own books while I listen to a safe podcast. I have fallen out of music in the last few years, but used to really love it. I’m not sure why! Bach is a favorite of mine, too.

By: Lina M

Lina M — Fri, 25 May 2018 17:13:36 +0000

Laura, very excited about your new book- have already preordered and I suspect I’ll be finding good excuses not to work and to read it. Well done!

By: Deckled Edges

Deckled Edges — Fri, 25 May 2018 14:51:48 +0000

One way to extend your audiobook time outside of your car is to listen while you are doing household chores. I find dishes, laundry and other household tasks are easier to get through when I’m listening to my audiobook. I’ll even listen while doing my hair and makeup if it is a particularly good book.