Sometimes, your kids are like divine cherubs, little angels with innocent smiles and adoring eyes who worm their way into your affection.  They can sweetly cajole you into buying the latest gizmos, never mind if it costs you a week’s salary.  They also have their way of helping you out with the household chores.  Ahh, such a wonderful feeling to be blessed with almost-perfect creatures.
           
Then again, there are times when they act like little devils, complete with the spiked horns and wagging tail combination. No matter how much you tell them to obey Daddy’s instruction, they simply won’t follow.  They also throw tantrums and wail until the entire neighborhood comes over and asks what’s wrong.  With the increasing crescendo of their yelping, you want nothing more than to revert back into the state of single-blessedness.  Whoever said that parenthood is a challenging career should be given a medal for hitting the nail on the head.
           
To deal with home crises, utilize these techniques to keep your cool at all times.

1. Discover what makes you blow your top.  Is it the unbearable noise your kids make when you’re busy catching up on a project?  If so, set a contract with your children.  Explain to them that you need to finish your work and you can only do it if they minimize their noise.  You can let them read storybooks or listen to their favorite tapes.  Distracting them will work to your advantage.
     
2. Leave -- physically. Remove yourself from the house.  Walk, jog or drive your way to a park or supermarket.  Have the hubby take care of the kids for a while as you sort thru your thoughts.  Of course, this option is not possible if no one will supervise the kids, which brings you to…. 
     
3. Leave -- mentally.  Hopping your way onto the next plane flying to the Bahamas is out of the equation so it's better if you just daydream that you are really there.  Hide inside your room and fantasize that you are basking in the sun, ready to work on a lovely tan while sipping a refreshing pina colada.  Focus on this image and escape for just 30 minutes.  It will be enough to give you a fresher perspective on things.
     
4. Say no.  Saying no to kids is probably one of the hardest things a parent has to contend with.  If you’re caught in a fix because your little girl promised everyone that you would bake cookies for the parent-teachers meeting, don’t be afraid to back off if it will disorganize your entire schedule for the day. Clarify that you have prioritized other things already. Another solution to this problem is to buy a package of cookies at the pastry shop.
     
5. Say sorry. Saying sorry is not beneath you as a parent.  It’s unavoidable that you will blow your top once in a while, but don’t make this a habit.  And if you feel that you have wrongly accused your child of something that she did not do, apologize.  Tell her why you acted that way but be firm.  Do not bow to her demands or she will use this to blackmail you in future occasions.

Parenthood may be tough, heartbreaking and migraine-inducing, but it is also exciting, fun and growth-producing.

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