Parenting is hard...

Tonight one of my children and I were at odds over several issues about their schedule. We were not seeing eye to eye and both of us were growing more frustrated with each other. We ended at a stalemate with tears and yelling. I ended up leaving for work and our situation was still unresolved. As I reflected on those moments, I came across a quote from Ronald Rolheiser in his book Domestic Monastery:

"Love is all about forgiving, again and again and again. Families survive only if this is happening.....To be a parent is to find oneself enrolled in an elite school of love..."

Can I say that I was acting completely out of love? No. I raised my voice and allowed my emotions to get away from me. My child was trying to express their concerns and I wasn’t listening. Were they acting out of love? Maybe not. But I need to do my part and show love no matter what is being said to me. So tomorrow, I will get home and apologize for my lack of love. This "elite school of love" is not for the faint of heart, but I won't give up on my family. They are worth it.