It’s Christmas Day. I’m very thankful for Christ’s birth, and I’m grateful for my daughter. My wife does a great job of making the day special for her while emphasizing “the reason for the season.” We’ve spent the day with family and had time to count our blessings.
However, as the day ends, I admit I am reflecting more on what’s gone wrong today. My daughter and I have fallen into a cycle.
My daughter has a perfectionist streak. Let me correct that. She wants things to go her way all the time. Sometimes, this desire appears as perfectionism. Other times, this seems like overt selfishness. She complains a lot and is perpetually on the edge of a fit.
Her fits cause me to have a parent it. I showed very little patience with her today. The more I showed displeasure, the more she amped up her aggression. We fed off each other.
I have to find a way to let her know her behavior is unacceptable without replicating her act-first, think-later approach. I have to be the one to break the cycle.
Today reminded me I need God’s help. Jesus came to earth to redeem sinners like me.
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