The biggest challenge with traveling with him -- gosh even mornings, bedtime, or weekends when we don't travel at all -- is the transitions. When we travel he is on pins and needles leading up to the transition, takes awhile to settle into the transition ... lather, rinse, repeat. One of the outcomes of major transitions, like travel, is the inevitable meltdown.
I love traveling with my boys, but airports tend to be the focal point for a transition-induced meltdown. Especially at the end of the trip when Caleb is disappointed and sad that the trip is over, and anxious about going home. As we embarked on our Florida trip I flashed back to last year's end of the trip airport meltdown. "Meltdown at Gate C3" was a full kicking, screaming, yelling and crying meltdown in the middle of the gate check area as we waited to board the flight. It was a major scene with people standing around and pointing at us, and saying "I hope that child isn't on our flight." It was over a bag of chips, and much, much more. All of his emotions coalesced in a major meltdown.
So it was on this the one year anniversary of "Meltdown at Gate C3" I felt some trepidation about the Florida trip. But I'm happy to report it was without incident. We have finally outgrown the meltdown. Yes we did have some minor temper tantrums, whining, angry outbursts and even a few tears -- but no meltdowns.
I'd like to say it was because of some great parenting trick. We did implement certain strategies to address the meltdowns - before (reading the signs that one was coming, and avoiding situations where Caleb was overly tired, stimulated or hungry), during (giving him a little space, comforting him and letting him win a little bit on something small), and after (discussing with Caleb how he could more appropriately communicate his feelings). But I really think that Caleb at age five finally outgrew the meltdown.
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