I was watching an episode of Modern Family the other day and stumbled upon a scene that could have been pulled from my own life. In the show Phil Dunphy, a real-estate salesman, borrows an RV for a cross country trip. As I watched the family started the journey eager and jittery—excited about the adventure they were about to embark on. And then everything goes wrong. One child accidentally hits the other, and all hell breaks loose. It’s a familiar scene. Trade the RV for a Buick and I could have been one of the kids bickering and fighting in the backseat. While it’s an aggravating situation, it’s also incredibly dangerous.

The Danger

Family fights and bickering can happen in a car, on a plane, or in a public place. As humans we know how easy it is for a situation to turn into a broiling fight that turns our adventure into a drag. Regardless of the terrain, the end result is the same: aggravation, anger, and distraction. When my family took a cross country trip to Disney Land, we experienced the downsides of these moments.

• Car: My father distracted by our bickering didn’t notice that the car in front of him began to slow down. The result was a fender bender. If we had been going at higher speeds, there would have been a good chance of serious injuries.
• Public Place: My mother ticked with my father didn’t even notice when I wandered off. Thankfully they found me an hour later. A wandering child, especially a young child, is vulnerable. Especially if there is a language barrier that prevents him or her from asking for help easily.
• Plane: My grandmother took a plane with my younger cousins. They fought the whole way.  When the plane landed she wanted to escape the confined space so bad that she forgot to grab her purse. That left her without her money, checkbook, and ID. If we would have been oversees, she would also have lost her passport.

Taming Your Modern Family

When you plan an adventure for your family, you want to remember the fun times. Not the stress created by the fighting. Here are some ways to tame your family member’s inner demons that could turn your family adventure into an unsafe nightmare.

• Foresee any problems. You know you’re family. You know what angers or annoys them. Make a list of the potential problems and possible solutions.  
• Pull out your cooler and pack snacks. Thirst and hunger can cause crankiness that can make your family more likely to fight and snap at each other. By providing a constant supply of snacks, you can keep your family happy.
• Brings Entertainment. Part of the reason that fights erupt on long car or plane rides is boredom. By packing videogames, movies, music, or other sources of entertainment, you can keep your family calm during the commute, so you can enjoy yourself when you reach your destination.
• Plan Entertainment. If you don’t like the idea of distracting your family with electronics, you can plan car games. When I was younger, we tracked how many out-of-state license plates we could find. I would recommend staying away from “slug bug” though.
• Research fun and interesting pit stops. Don’t driver directly there. This will give flavor to your road trip and allow your family members time away from each other.
• Plan variety. Remember to plan pit stops that will interest all members of your family. Don’t spend all your time in museums or entertainment parks. Find a balance, so boredom and frustration won’t lead to angry fights.
• Book rooms at better hotels. Better hotels provide luxuries like pools, hot tubs, snacks, meals, and comfortable beds that will allow your family to unwind after a stressful day. And a relaxing night will put your family in a good mood the following day.

Planning a brilliant adventure or a luxury vacation for your family? Don’t let frustration, boredom, or your plans create an atmosphere that encourages frustration and boredom. To keep your family safe and happy, proactively plan how you create an atmosphere that encourages your family to enjoy their vacation.

Author: Allen Grove goes on yearly road trips with his nephews. To prevent any problems he always makes sure that his Dallas car insurance is current.