Raising a family is a meditation. Joseph Campbell
I could have used a few meditations yesterday, LOL.
My kids got into the car after school continuing the negativity that started in the car loop. It only takes us 5 minutes to get home, but it was clear to me that home we must go, not on any errands, even fun ones.
This is unusual for them now ... a combination of being too tired (the time change and college girl being home, hence more late nights) and being hungry (always) ...and little one needed a lot of love before she got out of the car. (I say one or all of these three things are behind most melt downs.) (So if you can feed them quick and love them before they need it, you can head some of this off at the pass.)
'course we talked about it...and this morning I suggested that perhaps I'd have to alternate who I drove home or they could both walk (and I'd pick them up somewhere along the route)...
When one of our (adopted) girls was little, she would whine before we hit the end of the driveway. Occasionally she does this now. Partly she couldn't stand being confined in a car seat. Partly, it bothered her on visceral levels...so we simply didn't do a whole lot that required driving. Funnily, she did really well on long trips. She'd settle in and be a regular little traveler.
But don't ask about flying. After the last flight I took her on, I promised her I'd never take her on a plane again. She'd have to be grown and take me. (She'd probably be OK now.)
I think as parents we need to be one step ahead of our kids, if possible. And one way to do this is to be in constant meditation/prayer.
Of course, that kind of drowns out the sounds from the back seat too.
Well, this is humorous, but it is also serious. I'm not sure you can ever be truly prepared. That's where the meditation comes in.
What tactics work for you? (I sometimes had one or both girls walk home from our corner because I tell them they aren't allowed to ride in my car if they are having major bickering.)
Karin
Originally posted 2007-03-20 07:16:06.
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