I yelled at my kid today. Again. He was melting down, I was melting down, and I said things I regret. I see other parents handling their kids so calmly and I just... can't. I feel like I'm damaging him. Does anyone else feel like they're constantly failing?
3 replies
Jen R
8 March 2026
Every. Single. Day. You're not failing — you're parenting on hard mode without a manual. The fact that you feel bad about yelling means you care. Repair is everything. Go to your kid, say sorry, and reconnect. That teaches him more than never yelling in the first place — it teaches him that relationships can survive mistakes.
Dave T
8 March 2026
Those 'calm parents' you see? They're either having a good day, or they're masking their own struggles. Nobody has it together all the time. I've cried in the shower more times than I can count. You're not failing. You're fighting for your kid every day. That's the opposite of failing.
Michelle K
8 March 2026
Please be as kind to yourself as you'd be to a friend telling you this. Parenting an ADHD child is relentless. You need support too — a psych, a support group, even just this forum. And remember: a 'good enough' parent is a GREAT parent. Perfection isn't the goal. Connection is.
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