Give each kid a custom CD -- from your iTunes music library
Brian's hack for keeping everyone happy with the music selection in the car:
A while ago I took to "ripping" my entire CD collection to iTunes. No big deal, a lot of ParentHackers probably have done this. Among the benefits: listening to any part of my CD collection while I'm working (from home) and listening from any of the computers in the house.
But here's a new discovery: I let my kids select songs from the collection and made CDs for them. Some of the content was off-limits, but I mostly just scrolled thru my song library, and played snippets for each of them. I created a playlist for each of my three kids. As someone voted for a song, I dragged it to their playlist. When attention spans waned (about 15-20 minutes!) we had enough songs to make a new CD for each of the kids.
Now when we go to the store, or wherever, they can bring one of their CDs and we can listen to their music in the car. The trick? "Their" music is really music from "my" collection--so I get to listen to music I like, and they get to pick it. Win-win situation!
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Great hack! This is truly one of the greatest uses I have found for iTunes (or any media player that supports CD burning). I have made a few CDs for both of my kids, and they are always very appreciative of them. Few things in life can beat having a 3 year old that likes to listen to Dream Theater, The Beatles, Pearl Jam, and Rush. :)
Rather than dragging songs to a playlist, I have found it helpful to simply add my kids' names in the Comments field for a track when they tell me that they like it. Then I can create a smart playlist for each of them. Taking this idea a bit further, I also add the comment "burned" to a track once I have burned it on a CD; then when it comes time to burn a new one (they make great Christmas and birthday gifts!), I can simply use the songs that haven't yet been burned (again, smart playlists make this process effortless).
Posted by: Jeff Taylor | 24 November 2006 at 11:06 AM
I bought a cheap iPod radio transmitter so we can skip the CD stage and play kid-friendly stuff right from the iPod through the car's radio. It's great!
Posted by: Robyn | 24 November 2006 at 02:13 PM