dashboard dining: yes or no?

Dashboard dining: Yes or no? It's a common family car dilemma: Should kids be allowed to eat on the road? Different parents have differing tolerance levels.

That said... Different parents also have differing views and criteria. Yes, it's best if kids don't eat on the road - for the car's interior, their clothes, and our nerves.

Here are a few ideas to consider as you decide the right answer for your situation.

Busy Family Schedules Support Dashboard Dining

It's hard to say no to eating in the car on the road when you have a 500-mile road trip ahead. 

If eating is allowed in the car, make sure it is of the non-sticky, nonstaining food variety.

You'll give the little one anything that will keep him quiet part of the way.

But as kids get older and easier to shush, some parents start getting strict about eating on the road. It doesn't matter which way you go, just stick with it.

Consider these rules of the road if food is allowed: It has to be of the non-sticky, nonstaining food group. No chocolate (however if someone forgets this rule, read how to get chocolate stains out of upholstery), no grape juice, nothing difficult to clean up.

If You're Dashboard Dining, Be Prepared for On-the-Road Cleanups

If your kids eat in the car, regular cleaning is key to keeping it looking good (or as good as possible) inside:

• Vacuum the car interior weekly. If you're eating on the road, this is a must.

• If you don't let the kids eat at the dashboard diner, you can probably get away with vacuuming monthly.