Every parent has to deal with their child's anger, at least once in a while. For example, maybe your kids are sulking because you said "No," or they're taking out on you the frustration of unresolved school or relationship issues, or they're simply testing your reaction to the latest "fresh talk." Some of this is typical as your kids, developmentally, begin to gain some independence and separate from you.
However, as a single parent, it can be especially difficult to deal with your child's anger. After all, it may very well feel like you are your kids' only target for expelling these intense emotions. In addition, you may worry a great deal about whether your solo status is connected to their anger in any way, or whether it may be compounded by unresolved issues related to the other parent.
One way to deal with it is to separate yourself a bit from the situation and try not to take your child's anger personally. This requires a lot of patience and the ability to look beyond what you're seeing and hearing to uncover why your child is reacting so strongly.
Ultimately, though, no matter what the true source of your child's anger is, you need to deal with it in ways that are healthy and productive. Rather than getting angry back, practice staying calm, and even leave the room if you have to. In fact, in this way, you are actually modeling for your child some healthy ways to experience and process anger!
For more tips on how to cope with your child's anger, read the full article 5 Ways to Help Your Angry Child.
Follow Jennifer on Twitter | Become a fan of this site on Facebook