An ironclad rule of parenting is that your kids will, at some point, drive you nuts. It’s totally normal, but it’s important to check in with your feelings and make sure that the frustration is rooted in the present, not the past.
The next time a feeling overwhelms you as a parent, stop for a second and consider if the situation relates back to something you experienced with your own family as a child. This kind of self-awareness can be uncomfortable, but it’s important. You want to take the best of your childhood and pass it along, without accidentally handing down the bad parts.
Once you’re aware of the source of your feelings, and recognize the situations that trigger them, you can work on changing your reactions. Look for more great advice in our Instaread on The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read.
