As I scrolled through the latest posts from my wife on Creating Brilliant Kids, one article in particular caught my eye: “Beeped at by a Stranger On The School Run– What Happened Next Might Just Surprise You!”. In the article, Sloan delves into the invaluable practice of turning life’s challenges into teachable moments to empower our children. I thought I would give you a dad’s perspective of things and if you like this, I will write more dadspective responses to her work, so do let me know.

Scroll to the bottom if you want the video version.

So, I asked my dad friends if they had experienced road rage and if they’d be willing to share their stories with me for Papapreneur. I actually got more responses than I was expecting. I have chosen two to share with you today.

Mark & The Milkshake

First, there’s Mark, a tall, bespectacled chap in his late 30s, with a friendly smile that puts you at ease. Mark’s a software engineer by profession, balancing coding sessions with playdates at the park with his kids. Mark explained this particular memory is very much etched in his brain. He calls it – the notorious strawberry milkshake incident.

So there’s Mark cruising along in his car with his two kids, when out of the blue it feels like the universe decides to test his patience. He’s stuck in traffic, tempers flaring with each honk of the horn. He say’s he didn’t start it. Maybe it’s the heat or just a particularly trying day, but before Mark knows it, there’s a strawberry milkshake flying out the window which lands squarely on his windshield. Clearly the other driver had thrown it in a fit of road rage. It’s one of those moments that left him scratching his head in disbelief, wondering, “Did that really just happen?” but he had to respond quickly as his kids were in the back asking 101 questions thinking it was the funniest thing ever. Of course this could lead to problems as no one wants their kids emulating that behaviour and their laughter was infuriating the man more as he has got out of his car by this point. Mark diffused the situation but what would you have done in that situation, I would love to hear. How many of you would have retaliated back?

Ikea Pete

Then, there’s Pete, a rugged bloke in his early 40s, with a beard that his kids say could house a bird! Pete works as a landscape gardener, spending his days tending to lawns and flowerbeds before heading home to tackle the chaos of family life. Now, imagine Pete pulling into the Ikea car park, hopeful for a swift furniture-shopping expedition, already optimistic as we all know the Ikea one way shopping system is anything but quick! In any event, fate had other plans for Pete.

As Pete tries to find a parking spot, another car cuts him off, triggering a car-to-car confrontation worthy of an action movie. Doors slam, voices rise, and suddenly, Pete finds himself in a standoff. It’s like something out of a comedy sketch, only it’s all too real. And let me tell you, when Pete’s crouched behind the steering wheel, too nervous to face the other driver, he starts to question his life choices. Was it really worth sending out the first insult?

Dad Showdowns

Now, who’s to blame in these situations – the original aggressor or the reactive respondent? It’s a tough question, one without a clear-cut answer. But what Mark and Pete have come to realise is that as parents, it’s crucial to be proactive, not reactive. They need to work on their triggers, so they don’t lose their cool in front of their kids. It’s all about setting the right example and teaching their children how to navigate life’s challenges with poise and resilience.

For Those Than Need Support

Mark & Pete were OK in these instances, but there are times when sometimes anger can be too much for someone. So, if you or someone you know struggles with managing their responses in high-pressure situations, don’t hesitate to reach out. My wife, Sloan Sheridan-Williams, has helped 100’s of people be less reactive to their triggers, working with them to eliminate triggers or pre programmed behaviour that no longer serves them. At the end of the day, we all want to be the best parents we can be – even if it means keeping our cool in the face of flying milkshakes and Ikea showdowns.

My wife’s original post in version