Parenting
Knowing how easy it is to overreact, say the wrong thing, say "no" too often and generally be a bit of a shit parent, knowing that it's all too easy to make mistakes and that you only get one chance to deal with a situation when it comes up.

Dont get me wrong, I'm not bleating about myself, I worry mostly about how it affects my kids, how they must see a slightly unhinged bedraggled dad for 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes at night, bombard him with their day and not always get the same level of excitement and passion back.

I love my kids, but it makes me sad when I go to bed knowing I dealt with something badly because I was tired or just incapable, at that moment in time of taking a step back and giving them a hug. I hope the good times outweigh the bad.

I hope they'll be alright when they are older, I don't earn a lot and therapy is expensive.
(Smellyape liking http://www.b3ta.com/bpma/, Thu 7 Aug 2014, 16:00, 7 replies)

If you're thinking about it you're not likely to go too far wrong.
And kids are great forgivers. Try to have fun with them, that's what they'll remember most.
That'll be four pounds twelve and ninepence please.
( edjogs Collared doves are shit., Thu 7 Aug 2014, 16:20, closed)

Definitely agree and thanks
Do you take Luncheon Vouchers ?
(Smellyape liking http://www.b3ta.com/bpma/, Thu 7 Aug 2014, 16:28, closed)

Take it from me
When you look back on all this in 20 years, you will find that you didn't say No often enough.
(the other guy not the one that gave you coochie warts, Thu 7 Aug 2014, 16:58, closed)

If my wife had said "no" more often,
I could have avoided having kids at all.
( monster munch person, man, woman... camera... TV?, Thu 7 Aug 2014, 17:34, closed)

Therapy
The best therapy IS your kids (you'll find out just how expensive later!)
(stygof, Thu 7 Aug 2014, 17:26, closed)

There's nothing wrong with saying no
provided you give a reason. Children love justification, it helps define boundaries. And then try and say yes to other things, so they don't just associate you with negatives.

Everyone wants to be a great parent, many of us think we are but few of us really are. It takes guts to admit it but it can easily get overwhelming. I bet you're doing all right really.
(zebideedoodah likes florence but prefers venice, Fri 8 Aug 2014, 3:02, closed)

aww thanks
I hope I'm doing okay, I think I am, it's just that when I think I handled it badly or wrong it gets to me and makes me a feel a little teary eyed for the poor little suckers.
(Smellyape liking http://www.b3ta.com/bpma/, Fri 8 Aug 2014, 13:41, closed)

your children hate you
and will be heroin addicts by the time they're 15.
( janet aylia y'all motherfuckers need jesus, Fri 8 Aug 2014, 8:49, closed)

OMG what if you're right
...at least they'll have tidy rooms and wont leave the tap on after they've cleaned their teeth.
(Smellyape liking http://www.b3ta.com/bpma/, Fri 8 Aug 2014, 10:40, closed)

They wont have any teeth to clean.
Still, you might get to go on Jeremy Kyle. That'll make it all worthwhile.
(zebideedoodah likes florence but prefers venice, Sat 9 Aug 2014, 1:29, closed)

Awesome
I haven't seen Jeremy Kyle (except the "at the end of the day" clip), but I understand it's much like Trisha, thanks for giving me a little ray of sunshine.
(Smellyape liking http://www.b3ta.com/bpma/, Sun 10 Aug 2014, 9:48, closed)