[email protected]

In a message dated 6/11/2003 2:31:59 AM Eastern Standard Time,
[email protected] writes:

>
> I guess I'm wondering why such a back slide over something so small? I am so
> easy going with the kids and am usually the one to calm situations if my
> husband gets a little antsy over something. Tonight it was the other way around.
> I'm just wondering why this bothers me so much and although I won't let it
> happen again, I'm worried that something else might make me react the same
> way. This just doesn't seem like me.
>
>

Maybe you were just in a bad mood. Maybe the tooth hanging there grossed you
out. Maybe the combination of a bad mood, her crying, and other things just
made you temporarily act like a jerk.

The thing is, I don't think children are exceptionally fragile (as opposed to
sensitive). We're going to act like jerks sometimes, however hard we try not
to. But it makes an enormous difference to apologize! And kids can see that
even their usually calm moms can get into a shiity mood, make mistakes...and
then do what they need to mend the relationship.

For kids (you know, all of them, just like all adults) who get into bad
moods and act like jerks sometimes, this is not a bad thing to see.

I can guarantee that something will make you respond the same way (or
another, new creative way) again, and you'll be disappointed about it. 'Cuz sometimes
we're all jerks. But we can all apologize.

Kathryn


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