Instead of this: Encourage Problem Solving:
My kids were fighting in the car today. They haven’t fought in the car in a while. Now, you may think I am bragging but I am not. It is just that for some odd reason it has been a while since all my kids have been in the car together.
Somehow, only two of my kids were fighting. This is how it went:
E to A: “If you touch me or anything near me I will kill you!”
Me: (who is always willing to see the sunny side of the sinister): “I am glad you are warning your brother, that you have little tolerance for any type of touching, near or around you today.”
Then I heard sounds that were similar to the ones you see illustrated in comic books, “KAPOW”, “KABOOM” etc.
Me: (still trying to use my parenting skills and be cheery because no one was crying yet) “Hands to yourselves!” “No hitting!”
A: “I didn’t do anything, I just touched his seat, not him.”
Me: Yes, that is true A. The problem is he did warn you. He did not want you to touch him or anything near him.Do you remember that he said that?”
A: “Fine, I will leave him alone.”
Me: (who in an effort to make lasting peace and show that the parenting techniques that I teach work, does not know how to let sleeping dogs lie): “Do you hear that E, he has agreed to stop touching you and bother you. E, you told him what you needed and A, you have agreed. That is one way to resolve conflicts.”
We then arrived at our destination. Perfect timing. I don’t know if I could have been patient any longer.
We are all aware of the challenges parents of having siblings in the car together. Lots of patience and skills are needed in order to keep your cool!
To learn more, check out our “How To Handle Sibling Rivalry” audios.
I would love to hear what you do to keep the peace while driving. Let me know by commenting below.
One Response
Sorry. This scenario doesn’t play out when I have two Deaf children in the back seat unless I pull over to the side of the road; but I do like the suggestion in the cartoon (on the right) to have the children create their own plan and express it before the ride begins.