The other day I was feeling very overwhelmed, tired, and just didn’t have much to give. Unfortunately rather than owning that, when my kids – were well kids – and did something wrong I got really mad. Like no reason to be that mad. And I couldn’t shake it.
The truth was I was already mad before they did anything, their little lapses just gave me a reason to let it out. The sad part is that sometimes we don’t get angry with the people who cause us hurt, just the ones who are easier to take it out on (our kids, spouse, etc).
But my kids did something amazing, because I think they are occasionally better people than I am.
My guess was that they hadn’t seen me that mad probably much. Because Hudson gave me a hug, got changed, and went upstairs and went to bed on his own and just waited for me to turn off the lights. This has never ever happened before. Asher also went upstairs, brushed his teeth, and while I was putting Eden to bed came in and said this to me, “Dad this a happy house, you not be mad. You be happy, I happy too, we happy family.”
Sometimes with a simple little phrase you realize how much you blew it, and also how much you have to learn and grow.
But here is the beautiful part of parenting even when you blow it; you get to keep trying, learning, and growing. You get to take moments like that where you blew it and ask for forgiveness, and be thankful for your family. Because parenting is not a sprint, but a journey – and sometimes it’s your kids who actually point you in the right direction.
Plattsville Church 
Thanks Andrew, I really needed this today. Last night I blew up at Elizabeth over nothing really. When I put Gracie to bed I apologized for yelling and losing my temper….. She said it’s okay mom, but you know who you really have to apologize to. So of course I went and apologized to Elizabeth like I should have in the first place! Sometimes our kids surprise us!
Yes its so true – sometimes our kids do surprise us. And parenting never is easy but that’s what makes it worthwhile 🙂