Is there any kind of therapy that can help improve my patience with my DCs?

[botbotnot]

I am ashamed about how little patience I have with my kids. My eldest is three and the constant defiance and whining drives me insane. I imagined I would be a patient and sympathetic parent but I shout very quickly and sometimes I can be a little rough when dealing with the kids (I never hit them but I sometimes pick them up roughly).

I want to be a better parent. I want to enjoy all this more. I want to stop worrying about the affect my temper has on my DCs.

Is this something therapy can help with? If so what sort of therapy? And where do I find a therapist?

TIA.

[ihatethecold]

im with you botbotnot, its so hard staying patient sometimes, i think most parents feel the same way, but don't really admit it.
try to ignore bad behavior, don't get sucked into petty arguments, pick your battles.. i try to do this , doesn't always work though.. good luck and hang in there..

[TotalChaos]

snort Greeny. Greeny does have a point though - you evidently have at least two under four - and it is trying for all of us having to deal with young kids at time, a true test of patience.

[Greensleeves]

have you tried cake?

[LaurieFairyCake]

Agree about the Webster Stratton course. I taught that with a friend last year and the parents loved it.

From a therapy point of view one of the biggest things it can do to help is to boost your self-esteem enough to be able to parent 'good enough' and become comfortable with that. Therapy in general helps you become more comfortable in your own skin, learn to forgive yourself, become who you are etc.

[TotalChaos]

rather than go down the therapy route, I'ld go for a bogstandard positive parent course, the sort that's put on in surestart/children's centres etc. it's called Webster Stratton.