It seems like every family has at least one kid that’s a challenge. How did I handle it? Sometimes poorly. While the experts say it’s important to point out the positives in our kids, when you’re mad, it isn’t easy, is it? “The key is to remain calm and not respond with a knee-jerk reaction when your child pushes your buttons,” explains Debbie Pincus, MS LMHC. Here are some tips to help that she offers. First, “change your perspective. If you can think a little differently, you will be less angry at your child” when your kids try to push our buttons. Second, figure out how you’re feeling. When you do, Pincus explains, it could provide “the guidance you need to give your child.” She also says to “pause, breathe, [and] think”—that just modeling that for our kids when we get ticked will help. And, she encourages parents to stop worrying. God’s got this, right? He’s in control. Remember James 1:20: “for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (ESV). 

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.

Suggested Reading: James 1:20, Proverbs 19:11, Ephesians 4:26-27