Does that sound familiar?

Your Baby is hysterically crying or your kids fight over whatever it is while you are driving? And you start to feel anxious, scared or just want to yell to the back seat "SHUT UUUP!"

I get it. I was you when my little one was little little.

This feeling of:

-not being able to control the situation

-"make them stop" or intervene in anyway

-all while trying to keep everyone save and not crash

-and make it to the appointment on time

You see what I did here? I listed ALL the triggers that can make you feel this way. It's actually not only the behaviour of your child but everything else that is going on. Your nervous system is overwhelmed, sensors are on fire and it just seems too much to handle.

So what can you do while being triggered driving?

First, per usual, take a breath. Understand that you are triggered but it is not a life or death situation. The behaviour puts you in this mode though. As soon as you understand you are triggered you become conscious and present. Go from there.

Your crying Baby is safe even though crying, he is voicing him being upset sitting pinned down in a car seat, maybe hes a little tired and hungry too, it is a way of communication. Your Baby is talking to you in the only way for him possible.

If it is your kids fighting, voice that you are having a hard time concentrating when your little ones are fighting in the back and ask one after the other what the problem is and be a referee rather than taking a side. Try to involve your kids in problem solving, after validating each side.

Of course that doesn't always work, sometimes they continue fighting, because they are also triggered and are just reactive, maybe you can find ways to co-regulate. Breathwork: I love Daniel Tigers song. " When you feel so mad that you want to raawr, take a deep breath and count to four. 1-2-3-4." Can be a great way to connect with your children.

And as always, safety first. If you are so distress that it is dangerous for you to continue driving, Stop. No appointment is so important to put anyone in danger.

Let me know what you think, does that help you while taking your next road trip?