Page 167 - The Intentional Parent

Well, you can do what most parents do. Glare menacingly over your shoulder, keeping one eye on the road, while leveling the Stare of Death with the other eye. Then, begin threatening them with all of the things they shouldn't make you do. Here is a brief list: "Don't make me pull this car over." "Don't make me come back there and straighten you guys out." "Don't make me turn this car around and go back home." These techniques will result in cramped neck muscles, strained vocal cords, and, when things are really going poorly, damaged front and rear bumpers.
Alternatively, you can try to avoid the situation by leaving the kids with someone on the days you have to run errands. I know that parents hate to hear advice like this because they say things like, "Who am I going to leave them with?" On the other hand, I know parents who run errands every day, when they could just as easily and with less aggravation run their errands in one day. If you can do this, you can probably find another parent with whom you can leave the kids and return the favor for him or her at some other point during the week. The point is that creative solutions do exist, but sometimes you have to put in a little effort to find them.
Now, what about when the kids have you at their mercy and you have no choice but to have to deal with them in the car? Here are a few suggestions:
Fill two cloth bags with car toys and activities. Leave them in the car and designate them as in-the-car-only activities.
Make up a set of coupons. Give five coupons to each child at the beginning of the car ride. As soon as they start battling, ask them for a coupon back. The child can trade the remaining coupons for treats if you are going to the store, or for privileges after you
The Intentional Parent by Peter J. Favaro, Ph.D. 167