5. Everyone is not loyal and loving at all times.

We get angry at our children and our partners. We sometimes seek revenge or retaliate when we’ve been hurt. There are times as parents that we lose our cool and get angry. That is a human condition and if it happens too often then one should be seeking help in controlling the hurtful behaviour.

These again are opportunities to express our apologies for the behaviour. As parents we are role models for our children. By saying we're sorry and showing some humility, it teaches our children that we too make mistakes and get angry but realise that we may have been too harsh or hurtful.

This brings me to a point that when we as parents are angered and within that time resort to consequences which under normal circumstances may not have issued. Often when we come upon a situation where the anger suddenly wells up in us quickly, we need to step back and take a few breaths before consequencing.

I remember in my first teaching year there was a student who could make you angry. My principal recommended that when dealing with students when we become angry that we should put our hands in our pockets and take ten breaths to calm down. Then start dealing with the situation by listening to the child.

Everyone is not loyal and loving at all times also reminds me of parents relating stories that children will sometimes in a fit of anger yell “I hate you!” They are angry and although they may express that sentiment, they, in most cases, don't mean it. When they are settled down, it is a good time to listen to them about what prompted that remark. They don't need us to go into a lecture mode.

As a parent of teens there are times that I have experienced or seen other parents dealing with teens who are not always respectful of parents especially in front of friends. It is best to turn the other cheek and perhaps tell them later that what they did was hurtful. Again, we are role models and to express our feelings allows the child or teen learn about interactions and relationships.

I have been saying we need to move on. Sometimes saying we're sorry, having a good cry and/or hug and then trying not to do that again.

Remember we must always keep trying to be loyal and loving.