Monkey See Monkey Do

One of my traits that I'm not proud of is my temper.  I've always had it.  Most of the time I hide/control it very well...but every now and then- it explodes to the surface and when it does it's very ugly.  I also have a very good sense of humor, so more often than not, my temper manifests itself through that humor.

Just the other day, I was driving w/ my daughter and my niece in the car when a young man, driving recklessly, communicated to me using sign language.  I saw red!  Adrenaline poured into my veins and my heart rate went through the roof.  But I could see the girls playing and giggling in my rear view mirror.  I had a decision to make: Do I prove my manliness and show that punk who he's messing with or do I just let it go?  It was difficult to be honest.  I wanted to reach out and slap that kid.  In the end, I just blew him some kisses and clapped at him.  The girls laughed, and I realized how lame I could have looked.

I can't believe that I'm the only one who deals with anger.  And I know I'm not alone when it comes to dealing w/ anger and my kids.  I do not want to pass that along or allow myself to get so angry with my children that it damages my relationship with them.  Ephesians 4:26-27 says:

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

Here is a great article with some very practical ideas on dealing with anger.  ANGER  Use these ideas to show your kids how to deal with anger now, before it becomes a problem later in their life.

I stopped to think about what might have happened if I had allowed my anger to boil over at that kid.  I shudder to think about what my daughter would have seen in me that day.  Monkey see, monkey do parents.

Blessings