ParentTip: Self-Restraint Is A Feature, Not A Bug, Of Parenting

ParentTip: If you're not biting your tongue at least once a day with your kid, something's off. Self-restraint is a feature, not a bug, of parenting -- we parent not to have our own needs met, but to help someone else learn to meet theirs. Everyone loses it sometimes, of course (me especially). But if you can't feel yourself holding it in sometimes, you are likely sending the message to your child that their growth process must always put you first -- and that can stunt your child's ability to express their feelings, manage failure, take risks, and develop new skills freely. So go ahead and grit your teeth, clench your fists, and snort like a dragon. Your frustration, kept mostly in check, is one of the most important gifts you can give your child.