Let’s face it—parenting can sometimes feel like an emotional rollercoaster, and it’s completely normal to lose your cool from time to time.
Everyone has their own unique way of “losing it.” For some, it’s a loud outburst; for others, it might be more subtle, like a deep sigh or a moment of silence that speaks volumes. Regardless of the form it takes, we all reach that breaking point eventually, often influenced by outside stressors like financial struggles, relationship woes, or job-related pressures—none of which can be blamed on our kids, yet they often affect our patience and empathy.
Today was one of those days for me. After a sleepless night, the morning was a cacophony of chaos. The baby decided breakfast was better suited for the floor than his plate, the dog had an unfortunate accident, and just as I thought we were on track, my toddler made an entire milk jug a casualty of his enthusiasm. To top it off, my eldest rummaged through her drawers and declared every outfit “too crappy” to wear.
After finally getting everyone dressed, I couldn’t find my car keys. While searching for them, my boys decided the muddy sandbox was their new playground, right after I had just cleaned them up. As I was wrangling them back inside, my oldest opened the door to a well-meaning visitor sharing religious news, which led to our dogs making a break for it. Amidst the chaos, my naked baby joyfully scattered his snacks everywhere, dancing on the mess he created.
When I finally managed to corral everyone back inside, I realized we were already late—far too late to even be fashionably late. The atmosphere was so thick with frustration that it felt like we were all telegraphing a collective “stay away.” Just then, my husband called, informing me that our bank account may have been compromised. To add to my stress, my grandpa was in the hospital. And that was it—I lost it. There were raised voices, tears, and some unfortunate door slamming. I declared the day a total loss.
In those moments of frustration, guilt sometimes creeps in. We replay our reactions in our minds, reminding ourselves that we shouldn’t have yelled or slammed doors. We think of our children’s innocent faces and feel our hearts sink. We worry about how they might remember us in the future. And yet, even amidst our breakdowns, we have to keep moving forward—lunch still needs to be made.
As if the universe was testing me further, nap time became a battle zone. Kicking and screaming replaced the peaceful rest I desperately needed to regain my sanity. And yes, I lost it again, feeling that familiar wave of guilt wash over me. Yet, I swiped away a few tears while juggling takeout orders and baths, hoping to salvage the day.
Once the baths were done and my little ones were nestled in my lap, their hair still smelling of that delightful no-tears shampoo, I felt that overwhelming love wash over me again. Despite the rough start, I was reminded of my desire to bring them joy, laughter, and patience in the days to come.
We look into their big, round eyes and apologize, acknowledging our humanity. We’re not infallible, and it’s essential they see us at our worst so they understand that everyone makes mistakes. This is part of life and growth.
So yes, we all have those moments where we lose our cool, and it can be tough to shake off the guilt. But remember, one bad day doesn’t define us. We’re allowed to have our struggles, and our children need to witness that vulnerability. After all, the promise of tomorrow brings a new chance for a fresh start.
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Summary
Parenting is a journey filled with ups and downs, and sometimes we all lose our temper. It’s important to remember that one bad day doesn’t define our worth as parents. Embracing our humanity and showing vulnerability teaches our children valuable lessons about mistakes and growth.
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