Why Do We Get Angry With Our Kids?
Our 18-year old son has an almost imperceptibly small window of tolerance. It is tiny. Anything and everything seems to push him into anger. We are sick and tired of his angry responses. Give us a break, oh Lord!
To be honest, son only has 3 difficult times during the day: waking up, going to bed and everything in between. But it is the anger that makes us angry. So I begin to wonder, “Why do we get angry with son when we know he is going to respond with anger, and 9 out of 10 times NOT do what we ask – and even when he does it takes many requests from us?
Is anger the most powerful tool we have in our parenting toolbox? Is it the only tool we have? Is it just the last straw that we run to when all diplomacy fails and we don’t want to start a physical war? What would happen if we did NOT get angry? And why on earth is our anger ok and son’s is not? It’s not like anger sneaks up on us unannounced. Sure, we all have our moments when some trigger throws us unknowingly into a raging maniac (well, at least I have) and we stand by speechless wondering where did that came from? Most times we see the progression, which starts somewhere in our stomach or our toes curl or fingers clench, with flat to irritated tonality, volume increases (if it doesn’t work, do it louder), followed by repeated instructions, then onto shame, blame and threats. Finally if no action by child, then punishment, get physical touch, grab, shove or worse.
I have my reasons and excuses about being sick and tired of being sick and tired, and after 13 years you’d think son would finally get it that mom and dad loves him, etc. But what is, is as they say. I with my small parental brain cannot seem to learn or figure out that a storm may be brewing, so I get angry and voila—the storm happens.
Darn that kid, can’t he control his anger any better than I can?
So I wonder, why do we parents get angry? Why do you yell at your kids even when you know that it doesn’t help or heal. Why? If we smart, experienced, reasonable adults can’t control ourselves, how can we expect our traumatized kids with faulty wiring to do any better? What are we teaching our children with our anger? Most importantly, isn’t there a better way, like love for instance? And if we choose to parent from love, how would things look different? I wonder, what if…?
I have my suspicions about all this, but I’d like to hear from you. Go to our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/postinstitute) and let us know why you get angry with your kids?
“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”
— Master Yoda- Star Wars Episode I
Have a Calm and Peaceful Day.
David
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