Four hours down, just one to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Family road trips can be lots of fun, but sometimes they are utterly stressful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Things had escalated just before our dinner stop, and I was dreading the last hour of put downs and arguments. So I had an idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I remembered I had a block of chocolate in the back, and I put my foot down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRight, I have chocolate for everyone, but I am not giving it to anyone if there is any arguing or negativity in the next 30 minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yup, technically bribing\u2026 or is it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
30 minutes into the journey and there was no question about the chocolate being shared around. It was such a joyous journey for us all. Arguing was replaced with sharing funny stories, and to be truly honest, I laughed so much I started to cry. When my children aren\u2019t \u2018at each other\u2019 they are freakin hilarious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it got me pondering afterwards\u2026 putting my foot down and bringing in a boundary or some structure actually created space for so much fun and connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Structure serves flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The masculine qualities of discipline and order, create the banks of the river where the feminine essence of spontaneity and surrender can flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We need both in our lives and wisdom helps us to know where and when.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It happened again this week after dinner. I said, \u201cThat\u2019s it, all phones in the bowl until after 7pm\u201d. Everyone ended up outside, playing a family game on the lawn and letting off some steam and frustration. The energy of everyone after that was more peaceful and playful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So whether it\u2019s your morning routine, homeschooling, managing finances or simply navigating a five hour road trip, don\u2019t be afraid to set some boundaries and embrace some structure. Freedom and fun flow best within the strong and safe structure of the riverbanks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Four hours down, just one to go. Family road trips can be lots of fun, but sometimes they are utterly stressful. Things had escalated just before our dinner stop, and I was dreading the last hour of put downs and arguments. So I had an idea. I remembered I had a block of chocolate in the back, and I put … <\/p>\n