I hate it when I'm an irrational asshole sometimes.

[Panzer Leader]

Yea, my Dad was a Command SGT Major. I started basic training at about 7 years of age . I learned quite a vocabulary by the time I was 9. Love and miss him everyday.

[-Ray-]

If you told me you never yelled at your kids while mad at something else, I'd think you were lying or not really a parent.

It happens.

^This.

[dblott]

One day she'll be off at college, you will be alone and sad, and you'll think of that day and laugh! ANY day with you child is better than the days you will eventually have to live without them as an empty-nester...

Don't blink, this happens way sooner than you would expect. The main thing when they do finally leave the nest, is that they will WANT to come back home if they need to. Maybe not the main thing, but I guess it lets you know you weren't that bad. This is also where you realize that you should have built more storage into your house.

A heavy thought to ponder this Saturday morning:
I sometimes think that the wiring is a part of the equation also. As they grow towards adulthood, there is just enough friction that makes me wonder if at a subconscious level, we actually are trying to force them out of the nest. I heard Keith Urban's "Stupid Boy" once and realized that there were some similarities in the way I was treating my oldest daughter. I don't normally live according to songs or books (Bible not withstanding- I admit falling short there), but it hit home. Happily, I recognized a problem and she and I started getting along much better. She actually moved back in with us 2 months ago. Remember the storage comment?

Apologize when you are wrong, but still be the parent. My only regret is that I worked too much trying to provide "better", and missed out on some quality experiences that you guys are taking part in.

[2girlsdad]

Yea, my Dad was a Command SGT Major. I started basic training at about 7 years of age . I learned quite a vocabulary by the time I was 9. Love and miss him everyday.

X2, except mine was Navy.

[IcePickFreak]

The real travesty here is that she had to ride in a dressed up Nissan.

[99-LS1-SS]

She was in the Tahoe. I've slowly but surely switched from the G37 to the Tahoe.

[stryker g8gt]

I am guilty of popping her bottom on occasion but, I've never "hit" her or really lit into her. My problem is that I feel like the way I handled myself this morning is just as bad as hitting her.

GUILT........ it still works on adults also. And can be a great educational tool.

I feel ya, if you meet a parent that says they raised thier children perfectly, and say they do not have 1 bit of regret or guilt, they are liars.

[bigtreepu]

The positive out of this is that you weren't opening McDonalds syrup inside of a G8. That makes me cringe.

~Matt

[Cornercarver82]

I have an 11 month old girl that thinks shes 5. I think she purposely pushes the old buttons, and on occasion I've yelled pretty good. As soon as that little bottom lip pokes out and quivers I get the "good goin dipsh*t' in my head lol. I've never cared about a person as much as I do my munchkin. Her first year has burnt by so quick.

[STL_G8GT]

If you told me you never yelled at your kids while mad at something else, I'd think you were lying or not really a parent.

It happens.

X2!