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Fewer people are smoking in the U.S. today. That results in a diminished need for built-in car lighters. Car manufacturers could have eliminated the lighter. But this is America. Therefore, instead of eliminating lighters, they were redesigned and renamed. Now, the latest sedans, utility vehicles, trucks, hatchbacks and sporty models come "equipped" with multiple auxiliary outlets.

Electronics of every shape and use have taken over the family vehicle. Sure, you can rely on batteries, but their power eventually dissipates. When someone's pocket gaming system, portable DVD player, MP3 system, laptop or cell phone needs juice, the thing to do in our mobile society is to plug it up in the car.

"Mom, can you plug in my game? The light is blinking orange -- it's about to turn red," my youngest child said as we pulled out of the driveway.

"How could the battery be low already?" I asked.

"I forgot to charge it last night."

"Yeah, well, I lost my regular charger to my phone, and I have to charge my phone now, so Mom needs to plug it up instead of your game," chimes in my oldest from the very back row of our minivan.

"Sorry guys," is my response, "I left my phone charger at Grandma's house over Christmas, so I need to plug in my phone."

"That was very irresponsible of you, Mom. Can't Grandma mail you your charger?"

"That's where we're headed -- so I'll just pick it up in a few hours."

There's nothing like starting out a longish trip with a carload of drained batteries and only one auxiliary outlet -- it's an oldish car. When children are strapped into the minivan, gameless, phoneless car rides seem much, much longer.

And now, to add to the outlet-need mix, I have a new travel coffee mug. In order to keep my caffeine nice and scalding hot, it has a power cord that fits the car auxiliary outlet. It was a great gift, as I spend a lot of time in my car. There have been many times when those last few sips have been stale and cold.

Since we have but one auxiliary outlet, prioritization must be used. It's a skill my children will be able to carry with them for the rest of their lives. It's how to get the important stuff done while justifying the procrastination of lesser tasks.

On the trip at hand, the fact that I'd enjoyed a cup of coffee while packing the car was considered. Therefore, my cell phone would be juiced up first, as it could be needed in the event of an emergency.

Next, the coffee could be warmed up, as I would be somewhat caffeine-deprived by the time the cell phone was charged. Once my coffee was hot enough to melt steel, I could unplug it and charge the pocket gaming system.

Putting off the gaming system until third was risky. How long could a preteen exist in a vehicle without watching a miniature screen and moving his thumbs fast and furiously? Then again, how long could a mom with a gameless preteen survive in a vehicle without coffee?

Charging the teenager's cell phone is always a last priority item. Even with the lack of time spent talking on the ride, he is still at about 98 percent regarding time spent with a cell phone sticking out of his head. Plus, he also had other things to do -- wires were growing from his ears, which led me to believe he was listening to music or playing a game of some sort quietly in the very back row where he likes to sit so as to avoid the family on long rides.

As with all great plans, my list of priorities had to be readjusted. Just as my coffee was reaching drive-thru restaurant temperature, my middle child suddenly announced that his MP3 player needed to be recharged. Up until this point, he had been happily listening to his favorite songs while staring aimlessly out the window.

I started to explain that I would not be able to get to it right away when his 10-year-old brother blurted out, "My game is next! You have to wait!"

After burning the roof of my mouth, tongue and throat in an attempt to re-caffeinate my body, I unplugged the travel mug and plugged up the game. I then explained that I could fit the MP3 device in after the light on the game turned back to green, but that it would be before his older brother's cell phone was charged.

My middle child then nodded, put the MP3 player down, and pulled out a deck of cards. He likes to have a manual backup for when his batteries are low. Smart kid.

Micki Bare is a columnist for the Arkansas News Bureau and the Courier-Tribune in Asheboro, N.C., and author of the book, "Relative Expressions." She lives in Asheboro with her husband and three children. Her e-mail address is mickibare@inspiredscribe.com.