Patience with my daughter

[Stevenjoseph6791]

Hi,

I'm a first time dad and my daughter is approaching 3-years-old. The problem is I have very little patience and I feel terrible because of it. I love her to bits, but as soon as she tries to test my patience, as any three year old would do, I should at her. This results in her walking off crying and me feeling absolutely terrible that I've shouted at her. I can feel it build up and I do my best to curb it, but I eventually explode. I have never laid a finger on her and never would. I feel like I'm the only one like this and feel like the worst dad in the world. I don't want her growing up to a dad that shouts at her all the time.

Patience is learned. We're not all born perfect, understanding human beings! You recognise and understand the problem - and clearly at 3 she is developing into a separate little person, not a pliable baby.

Think of some strategies - when you feel yourself becoming impatient try:
I'm not going to say this again, I want you to x, y, z. If you don't then I'm afraid we'll just have to sit here and miss out on some fun...

I don't want to get cross with you so I'm going to stop talking about this right now, but I'm disappointed in your behaviour.

What a shame you won't do x, y, z. I was looking forward to playing / walking / going to the shops / having something nice to eat....