For me, parenting is extremely difficult during feisty toddler times; "know it all" early-childhood; defiant mid childhood...

It has been very hard for me to accept that children have times where their tired, grumpy, angry, etc. You know what I mean? They have valid emotions, just like everyone else. And it's very hard to take their yells & screams, especially when we've got our troubles going on too. When I was a kid, if we acted out, we'd be whacked by paddles, hands or the belt. Not to mention being given "the look".

My greatest discovery (in the last couple of years anyway) is acknowledging what my girls are feeling. That breaks the intensity of their breakdown every time! I have to pull myself up, out of the emotions, tell them that I'm sorry they're feeling so unhappy. What can we do to make things better? Would a hug help? How about a kiss? That breaks all of the tension and we feel better. It is hard to do sometimes ~ like when I'm feeling irritable or strong self-hate.

Keep those things in mind with your children. Validating their emotions is HUGE!