Kung magalit ang mangmang ay walang pakundangan, ngunit ang matalino’y nagpipigil na ang galit niya’y mahalata.

Mga Kawikaan 29:11

Ishbel was happily role playing with her dolls, pretending to be both the mommy and the baby, when she suddenly made the mommy doll shout at the baby doll. Napatingin tuloy ang mommy niya at napaisip, “Ay, parang ako ‘yun kapag pinapagalitan ko siya ah.”

Isa sa mga pinaka-eye opening na moments bilang magulang ay ’yung makita mong ginagaya ka ng anak mo … habang galit. Masakit, ’no? Kasi nare-realize mo na hindi lang nila tayo naririnig, pinapanood din nila tayo. At madalas, kung paano tayo mag-react ay ‘yun din ang ginagaya nila.

Sabi sa Proverbs 29:11 (NIV), “Fools give full vent to their rage…”. Ibig sabihin, walang preno, padalos-dalos, lahat ng galit inilalabas. Pero ang taong may wisdom, marunong magtimpi. Hindi perfect, pero marunong magpigil.

Parenting is not only one of the greatest blessings but also one of the hardest tests of patience. Totoo naman; nakakainit ng ulo minsan. Nakakainis. Nakakapagod. But we have to remember, the parents’ reactions today will shape the child’s responses tomorrow.

At hindi lang ito tungkol sa parenting, pati sa daily living. Tulad sa workplace, kapag stressed out na tayo. Sa friendships, kapag may misunderstandings. O kahit sa araw-araw, gaya ng traffic at mahabang pila. Ang tunay na wisdom ay makikita sa ating self-control, hindi sa pagsabog ng ating emotion.

Kaya when we lose it — and we all do — let’s be humble enough to apologize. To other people we’ve hurt, and yes, even to our kids if we are parents. “Anak, sorry ha, Igot mad. Next time, I’ll do better.” That’s not a weakness. That’s modeling humility.

At higit sa lahat, ask God for grace every day. Parenting is not about being perfect butit’s about being present, patient, and prayerful.