The kids and I took the van in to the dealership to get serviced this morning. They told me it would be about two hours. I figured I could handle that. They have a little play area (though none too clean) and I brought snacks (always a life saver). I would have taken the kids for a walk but there is nothing around it but highway and the nearest store would include a walk by the busy frontage road. So we were stuck...for four hours! Granted, the kids were actually pretty well behaved. But there is only so long that one can sit with two small children in a stuffy, none too clean room!
By the time we left, it was 2 o'clock and the children had long before eaten all the snacks. We were all starving so we grabbed a bite at Chic-Fil-A. Eh. It was now too late to put Nathan down for a decent nap so we made our returns and did the errands I'd been planning on doing three hours before. And finally made it home at 5pm just after Daron arrived home.
We ate dinner, put the kids to bed, I went to a meeting, and that was that. What a day. How do trips to get the car fixed always seem to turn into such nightmares? Any tips?
How do you keep the kids busy at the mechanic's shop or dealership?
How do you find a good mechanic you can trust (that won't take so long!)?
What do you do when they tell you your car really needs such and such and you have no idea what they're talking about?
If you're married, how do you handle who deals with the car issues? What if neither of you knows much about cars?
Whatever advice, experiences, humorous quips, etc. you can share would be much appreciated!
5 comments:
The discussion board at cartalk.com (web site of Click and Clack of NPR fame) is a little annoying to use, but the potential for a lot of good information.
http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/discussion/create.page
(You have to sign up for a profile)
If you aren't sure what your mechanic is saying, try these guys out. Post what your mechanic has told you, what problem you are experiencing, what car you drive, etc. Give as much info as possible, even describe sounds, if you can.
There are a bunch of very competent mechanics who log on regularly and provide solid advice. I've made repairs based on information some have provided.
Additionally, the Web site has a list of mechanics who readers have recommended.
http://www.cartalk.com/content/mechx/
We'll definitely check them out. Thanks!!!
After a couple similar trips I will only take the car in on Saturdays. I'm getting quite a list of "only on Saturdays" which is frustrating, but not as much as taking the kids.
I think cars are a mans job - or at least that's my excuse. I let Chris do it on Saturdays. It is "boy time." (When Tate is older, he can go too.)He and Eli do car stuff while I stay home with Tate and clean the house.
Usually Matthew handles the car issues if it is a major fix. Thankfully, that hasn't happened in quite a few years. I can handle tune-ups and oil changes. I pack a snack or two and a book to read and leave Matthew home with the kids. It can be a nice break away from the house, even if it means spending a few hours at the mechanics.
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