Insane Parent

I had a very short fuse with my kids today. Actually, I screamed like an insane person. It didn't last particularly long but it was just not a good scene.

There are a number of potential explanations for my insanity:

1.) My wife just increased her hours at work and it was a bit of an adjustment for everyone.

2.) We were all over tired. The kids are still getting used to longer school days (summer transition) and I was on the blog/facebook late last night.

3.) Maybe it's stress from work - it would be nice to be a little busier.
4.) I went 0-2 in fantasy football this past weekend.

5.) the list goes on

I've had a chance to think about this. I think that parents that scream at their kids are doing it because, "they can." These parents (me) go all day wanting to scream at many different annoyances but we don't - we can't.You can't scream at the gas station attendant because of his station's high prices. You can't berate the store clerk that doesn't offer to bag your purchased items. Society doesn't work that way. Instead, all this baggage just gets carried around. Unfortunately, kids are the exception.

It's obviously not fair and it's sad. I actually don't even know if this is completely true but I do know that my kids didn't deserve to be screamed at by their father. Don't get me wrong, they were being pesty. That being said, I can't even remember what atrocity they committed. I can't even remember?!?

The amazing thing about this whole scene is that minutes later, we were all laying on the couch wrapped in a blanket, watching television. The three of us tightly squeezed together, laughing, watching "Phineas and Ferb." It was as if my rant never happened. The kids were as happy as can be. Within minutes, I had received total absolution; no questions asked.

Kids are amazing. My kids are truly amazing. I shall do better...