Dealing With No!

The adventure continued for yet another week. One interesting moment that particularly stands out in my mind is being told, NO! I picked up a family of four to transport to the doctor. The family had two small children. The little girl went into her car seat just fine and I told the father the little boy would also need to be put in a car seat. I got back in the van and waited. The Mother climbed in the van with her 3 year old son and they sat three rows back from the front of the van. The father explained that he needed to run back inside so I sat waiting. I noticed that the Mother laid her son in her lap but since she spoke no English I did not comment on the fact he needed to go into the car seat. The Father returned and said we are ready. I told the father once again that he just needed to put the son in the car seat before we would be able to take off. He talked in Arabic to the Mother who looked at me and said, NO! I said back, "Oh, I know it is such a pain to have a little one in the car seat but really he has to go in one! I explained about the law and the Father and Mother looked back at me and said, NO! The Father proceeded to explain the son would cry and does not like the car seat so it just would not work. After three attempts of politely trying to explain the necessity of the car seat, I finally stated to the Father, "I am sorry but you are running late to your doctor's appointment. I will not be able to move the car until the child is in a car seat. We can sit here if you would like but I won't be able to move until he is in a car seat." After a few moments of the parents speaking to each other in Arabic the Father crawled in the back seat and put him in the seat. The little boy never cried and I sighed for relief. This was an interesting moment. I do not believe I have ever had a grown adult which I had to stand up to in this manner. Thankful the conflict ended well and I went on to have pleasant conversation with the family. 

Throughout the past week, I have been focusing on self-care. When I am home and something comes to my mind I write it down and then I dismiss it from my thought. If it is something that is eating at me I remind myself that this is my time to enjoy with my family, friends and myself and tomorrow I will worry about tomorrow's problems. I am also trying to make time each day to meditate and focus my energy on positive thinking.