Modeling Positive Problem Solving During Family Travel

Family Travel Creates Space For Learning to Problem Solve: Part 2 Honey, I called a Tow Truck

I love the wind shield time I get with the boys when we travel as a family.  In fact, I ban all electronics in the car other than shared radio of audio books.

Family Travel is one of the last frontiers for bonding as our world is eclipsed by iPod, Wii, cell phones, tablets and other devices that run all the time in hour homes. Traveling by car creates space for conversation, relationship building, skill building and laughter. Problem solving is part of travel.  With a lot of help we creatively solved our over heated truck issue.

Family travel also creates space for learning how to handle difficult situations.

The starter was not the problem.

A blown head gasket, plus fluid under the spark plugs.  Humph!  What next?  Several issues presented themselves:

1. Was the truck fixable?
2. How do I get the camper out of the canyon?
3. Is there something to rent to pull the camper to Tyler, TX our final destination?
4. Are we still going to the pool?
5. Who makes these decisions?
6. Is the information I am getting from the mechanic trustworthy?

J.C. from Gene Messer Ford spent hours working with me trying to find a solution to my problem.  He patiently explained what the mechanics found to my worried husband and father.  He used his personal connections to find a truck or something for me to rent to pull the trailer.  He offered for me to have the trailer hauled to the dealer and leave it there until I found a suitable truck.

Family Travel Provides Opportunity to Model Problem Solving

Several skills were modeled for the boys during this process

1. Make sure everyone is safe
2. Ask for help
3. Define the problem
4. Seek counsel from others you trust
5. Listen
6. Take your time to think through the issues
7. Brainstorm possible solutions
8. Take breaks and walk around
9. Trust that God will provide,
10. Pray for guidance

Find Out what Happens Next!