Triggers of Irritability

I feel that I am a rather patient person, especially with my children, but even patient people have certain things that trigger irritability. One thing that drives me absolutely batty is people coughing. Yes, coughing! If someone coughs beside me, and especially if they continue to cough, I instantly feel extremely agitated! Strange indeed, but true. Lord help me if my entire household ever comes down with a terrible cough. I think I would probably just have to move out for a while. Obviously somebody coughing isn’t the only thing that causes me to become irritable, but I typically find myself having the biggest reaction to it over any other thing I find annoying.  Well, that is until recently.

You see, I had the opportunity to drive down to Victoria last week – all by myself.  It was just me, my car, and my music of choice. I was blissfully alone in my car for almost 2 hours (in one direction). It was truly delightful. So wonderful, in fact, it made me realize that when I have my kids in the car (which is typically ALL the time) I am in a constant state of irritation. In thinking about it further I realize that I sigh, get snappy, and annoyed more when I am driving than at any other point in the day.

Here’s the facts: I don’t particularly want to have to answer 1000 questions in the 25 minute time frame it takes to get from one place to another. I don’t want to have to reach back and grab things off the floor that my children have dropped but can no longer reach. I don’t want to constantly hear that it is either too hot, or too cold – or worse yet, that one of them is “freezing”, while the other one is “boiling”.  I especially don’t want to listen to my kids fight over what type of music we get to listen to, and whether it is too loud or not loud enough.  I am sick to death hearing the squabbles over who gets to sing first, or that he or she is singing too loudly.  And while we are on the topic of music, I would rather not have to worry about feeling the need to switch off certain songs that I enjoy because they probably aren’t appropriate for children.

On top of all this, it seems whenever my children are in the car with me we are constantly in a panic to get someplace. I feel like I am always running just a bit behind no matter where we need to be, consequently making me feel like I need to step on the gas just a little bit more. Yes, you could blame this lack of time management skills fully on me…but the funny thing is when I do have opportunities to be out and about on my own I am typically on time or early. Hmmm, coincidence!? I think not!

The fact is, I just don’t find driving with my children very enjoyable. The scary thing is I didn’t realize just how much I was opposed to it until I had the opportunity to drive a fair distance on my own.

Well, I guess now that I have become more aware of this trigger I will just have to take steps to alleviate the irritability. I think some deep breathing (other than the sighing) is in order!  Or better yet, maybe I should just avoid driving with them at all costs. Anyone want to chauffeur my children around for me?!  ;)

What are your triggers? What kinds of things bring your blood pressure and irritability up to full throttle?