Blogging Roller

Before I had kids, I never got really angry. I did't yell and I didn't get into knock down, drag out arguments with anybody. But, as every parent knows, kids can make you crazy and kids can make you angry. I've got good control over my temper and I think I'm a pretty mild mannered guy, but with three young sons, I've got plenty of opportunities to yell, and to say things I never thought I would ever, ever say. I get angry now (and, of course, that is not entirely bad).

I've got a theory about why kids can make parents so angry. They don't realize it, but kids emulate their parent's verbal and physical mannerisms all the time. As you watch your child you can see bits and pieces of your own personality. They pick up on the little phrases that you repeat. They repeat them too. When your kid starts to fuss or throw a tantrum or otherwise behave like a jackass, he does it in a way that reminds you of yourself, your mannerisms, and your personality. You see your own inner jackass reflected in the actions of your child. Your kid learned how to be a jackass directly from you, it shows, and boy oh boy does that piss you off.

I've only raised kids up to the age of seven, so I don't know the full range of anger that a child can induce yet, but I think I'm onto something here.