You know what? Sometimes--sometimes pretty frequently, as a matter of fact--being a parent sucks.

It means being the bad guy over and over and over again. It means telling your kids that yes, they do have to obey you. It means that when you tell them there will be consequences for their actions, you have to follow through on it. It means that you have to look into those faces that you love so much, with tears streaming down them, and tell them that it doesn't matter how much they cry, no still means no. And when they throw a fit because they're not getting their own way? Then you have to go ahead and discipline them for the fit, too.

I do not like being the bad guy. I'm an "avoid-conflict-if-at-all-possible" kind of personality. I am happy when I think everybody likes me.

Right now I don't think my kids like me very much. We had some discipline issues, and they're both sitting on their respective beds, howling, at this moment, and I feel like a big meanie.

I want my kids to grow up to be kind, thoughtful, respectful people. Unfortunately, they don't come out of the womb with those attitudes ingrained. Those attitudes have to be taught, little by little, over and over and over again. I have to remind myself that that's what I'm doing here, day by day in this messy little house of mine. And that's important, and that's worthwhile.

Even on the days when I sit down on the couch and think to myself, "This really sucks."