When life gets busy and I am at the end of my parenting rope. Sometimes I get a little dramatic. I mean I really like it when things go my way and on the days when I have less than zero control? Let's just say tantrums aren't just for kids.

Summer just started and I'm already hearing my frustrated, barky voice echo in my head as I tell my boys all the things they could be doing instead of complaining. I realized that I give pretty good advice. And then I realized that maybe I should take it once in a while.

Listen, parenting is hard. Parenting when you don't even feel like adulting is even harder. So when the message gets complicated, it might be time to think like a child.

Advice I give to my kids that also applies to me (an incomplete list)

1. I know you don’t want to wear pants, but you have to.
2. One piece of Halloween candy is enough. Too much of a good thing is real.
3. Not every day has to be special.
4. It’s ok to feel sad sometimes. It will pass.
5. No, you can’t just go from one screen to another screen. Take a break. Read a book.
6. Not everything is about what you want.
7. Respect your family.
8. I think you can come up with a nicer way to say that.
9. Say you’re sorry.
10. Say, “I forgive you.”

Parenting is hard and it often feels like I am talking to myself. Maybe if I started listening I would learn to relax, forgive, live and enjoy this time and these people who I love so much. It’s time to step away from the candy. It’s not too late.

Or so I hear.