Self-control

Everyone has a temper. Everyone has buttons that can be pushed, some more easily than others. Everyone loses their shit sometimes. It's hard not to do that in front of your kids, or even to your kids. So how do you control it?

The problem is that people tend to lose their tempers more quickly if they're tired, over-stressed or over-worked. That is the Webster's definition of most good parents: exhausted, all of the time. No one can do all that is required to raise a child and not lose their temper sometimes. The ideal situation is two parents, working in a tag-team system. Ideal doesn't always work, though, when you factor in jobs, errands, colds and flus, and general exhaustion.

I'm not too proud to say that I haven't lost my temper, on an epic level, with my kids. So has my husband. Does that mean that I don't love my children? Of course not! They are the purpose of my life. They're also infuriating sometimes. Maybe what's most frustrating is how hard I try to make things right, and how quickly they can turn things around. My kids are like mini-tornados, made up partly of happiness, anger, jealousy, greed, sweet and loving affection, and a strong desire for anything coated in sugar. It's easy to love them, and it's very easy to get frustrated when they act like tyrants.

When I get angry, I would like to say that I breathe deeply and try to assess the situation in a calm manner. Most of the time, I explode. But I'm getting better!