Domino Effect

There seems to be a phenomenon that occurs with each Trefry family road trip....sometimes just on the way to the store. It seemed to be very noticeable on our return home from Montana this past weekend. (you don't have to be observant to notice a lot about family dynamics on a six hour road trip)

Participants:

The Rule Keeper (most of the time also self-designated, rule keeping monitor)

The Adventurous Rule Breaker

The very sensitive Baby

The extremely Tired Parents

The Rule:

Stay seated in the car with your seat belt on

Domino Effect:

Adventurous Rule Breaker: decides there is something he wants to do outside of his car restraint

Rule Keeper: notices violation of the rule

Adventurous Rule Breaker: only able to remove himself partially from his seat and unable to complete desired mission

Rule Keeper: informs rule breaker and extremely tired parents that there has been a violation of a rule. He does so in a high pitched whine.

Adventurous Rule Breaker: begins to feel frustrated at the inability to satisfy his curiosity, and the constant derailment by the rule keeper. Expresses frustration with a high pitched scream.

Sensitive Baby: begins to wake and notices several unhappy passengers. Responds with a high pitched cry.

Extremely Tired Parents: Dad is unable to focus on driving and asks mom if something can be done or if the car must be stopped for the fourth time in the last 45 minutes. Mom is overwhelmed and tears well up behind her sunglasses. Why did we take another road trip, mom asks herself? We have arrived at the 'Trefry Family Melt Down'

Dad stops the car and helps the rule breaker back into his seat. Mom holds the sensitive baby who is now smiling and cooing at mom. Rule keeper has to go to the bathroom.

Outcome:

Everyone is calmed down, and we happily cruise back onto the freeway. With another 10 minutes tacked onto the arrival time, there is another domino effect waiting in the silence.

"I have to go pee!" yells the adventurous one as he attempts to get out of his seat belt.