def recursively_preempt_states(self):
        """ Preempt the state and all of it child states.
        """
        super(ContainerState, self).recursively_preempt_states()
        # notify the transition condition variable to let the state instantaneously stop
        self._transitions_cv.acquire()
        self._transitions_cv.notify_all()
        self._transitions_cv.release()
        for state in self.states.values():
            state.recursively_preempt_states()