How often do you seethe with your anger at your child?

[gatorruth]

I frequently tell friends that I totally understand child abuse. I would never hurt my kids, but could understand moms that are 15, have not learned self control and really JUST don't know how to handle these kids. This is the toughest job around- and the 'combat pay' isn't there!

Ruth

[KBecks]

I voted "almost never". I'm pretty calm, but I do get frustrated. I think I yelled once. I did have a week or so where I called my 2.25 year old a "little xyz" in my head quite a few times. Most of it was due to his struggling at diaper changes and getting dressed, and intentionally throwing food, etc.

I pay attention to when I start to get angry and use that awarness to calm down. I know that getting angry doesn't help anything, it just makes things worse, and I'm able to shut it down fast.

ETA: Please don't ask how often I seethe with anger against my dear, dear husband!! :P

[o_mom]

Right now it's everyday, but mainly because I am so pregnant and tired.

When I am rested and not pregnant it would probably be a couple times a week. Knowing that they are only doing what kids do doesn't make me less angry, just keeps me from acting on it ;-)

[KBecks]

Even though I don't get that angry, I totally understand where abuse comes from. The work and sacrifice of caring for another human being can really wear someone down and be frustrating, especially if you don't have good coping skills or a good support system.

[egoldber]

I said a few times a week. Pre-Amy it would have been a few times a month. Having to juggle the needs of 2 very different children and still maintain some semblence of home is sooooo hard.

[g-mama]

I so agree. When I had one child, I was so much more able to control my feelings and didn't get overwhelmed with my emotions nearly as often. It's when I'm feeling pulled in all directions and like I can't get any cooperation, particularly from my oldest, that start to feel really angry. I see these moms on TV with all kinds of kids and they seem so calm and peaceful - with three, I feel so out of control and frazzled a lot of the time.


~Kristen

Paolo 11-00
Benjamin 8-03
Marco 12-05

[egoldber]

"It's when I'm feeling pulled in all directions and like I can't get any cooperation, particularly from my oldest, that start to feel really angry"

Yup, thats it! And I know she's only 5, but a lot of times I feel like Sarah ought to "know better". And inevitably its a time when I really NEED her to be cooperative that she picks to be contrary.

[o_mom]

>"It's when I'm feeling pulled in all directions and like I
>can't get any cooperation, particularly from my oldest, that
>start to feel really angry"
>
>Yup, thats it! And I know she's only 5, but a lot of times I
>feel like Sarah ought to "know better". And inevitably its a
>time when I really NEED her to be cooperative that she picks
>to be contrary.

I do the same thing with DS1 and he's only 3.5!

[rprav8r]

Wow, I seem to be out of the norm here. I voted "almost never," but truthfully, I have never felt anger toward my child, certainly not seething anger. I've been frustrated and annoyed, but anger to me is something entirely different. I don't know, maybe my 1.5 yr old just isn't old enough to piss me off that badly yet? At any rate, it makes me sad to know that so many are SO angry at their children. I wish for you all to find peace within your parent/child relationship.


-Ry,
mom to Max the one year old
and my girl in heaven

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/37124.gif

[rprav8r]

Wow, I seem to be out of the norm here. I voted "almost never," but truthfully, I have never felt anger toward my child, certainly not seething anger. I've been frustrated and annoyed, but anger to me is something entirely different. I don't know, maybe my 1.5 yr old just isn't old enough to piss me off that badly yet? At any rate, it makes me sad to know that so many are SO angry at their children. I wish for you all to find peace within your parent/child relationship.


-Ry,
mom to Max the one year old
and my girl in heaven

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/37124.gif