Research suggests focusing on three key moments: the first 3 minutes after waking, the 3 minutes after school, and the last 3 minutes before bed. Focusing on these small windows can help rebuild a sense of connection without feeling overwhelming.
When the Love is There, but the Like is Not: Navigating the Taboo of Parental Resentment i-hate-my-son
According to experts at Understood.org , these feelings are actually far more universal than we admit. Parenting is one of the only "jobs" where you are expected to provide 24/7 emotional and physical labor regardless of how you are being treated in return. When a child is consistently defiant, disrespectful, or aggressive—especially in cases of Parenting ADHD —it is human nature to feel a "fight or flight" response. Why Does This Happen? Research suggests focusing on three key moments: the
As noted on the Play Therapy Parenting Podcast , many parents feel this way simply because they weren't given the tools or support needed to handle high-needs children. Breaking the Cycle Parenting is one of the only "jobs" where
When your life feels entirely consumed by a child’s needs—leaving no room for your own career or hobbies—it’s easy to view that child as the obstacle to your happiness.
Resentment rarely appears in a vacuum. It is usually the result of a "perfect storm" of factors:
You can hate the constant screaming, the lying, or the disrespect without hating the human being behind it.