Lesson 37

Holidays are over, your birthday is over, we're on to our new year. Dad had a pacemaker put in last week. You did pretty well, we didn't tell you a whole lot about it, but you were worried. Nana stayed at our house with you and Mathew while I stayed the night with Dad at the hospital, but we were back home the next morning. I have noticed that since this all started, you're starting to have trouble controlling your temper. I don't know if the timing is coincidence or not, but we're working on it. Anytime a toy or something doesn't work the way you want, your blocks for example, you get frustrated and growl. Sometimes you'll throw the toy, and you'll yell. You come by it honestly, Dad and I both have tempers sometimes. As we've gotten older, we've mellowed out and learned to deal with it. Which brings me to lesson 37...

There are going to be things that frustrate and anger you. It could be bad traffic like Dad, or inconsiderate people like me. What is important is that you learn how to deal with it without blowing up. Take a breath, walk away, or just think about what is frustrating you being smashed in a car crusher. If you go through life blowing up at small things, you're going to find it hard to find and keep friends. No one wants to worry that their friend is going to get mad about something and cause a scene, or wind up in jail.