Last time kids were over, I lost my temper at someone (adult) doing something wrong.

And the kids saw and heard the hurtful things I was saying to him.

I felt so guilty they saw me being that mean and scary, and I worried it will always stay carved in their memories.

You can never tell what will leave a too lasting negative effect. I did explain to them that even my reaction was wrong. That people shouldn't be as aggressive as that. And we should show more compassion even towards those who wrong us, especially when we have more power than they do.

Yesterday, my nephew repeated the things I said about compassion while we were watching a movie. That was a relief.

I hope I never leave any of my darkness in their minds.

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Therealsteve · 31-35, M

Tell me about it. Right throughout my childhood my dad would intentionally overreact to stuff, putting on this act of disgust or anger, and make false claims about things. When I didn't know what was normal, felt too ashamed to ask about it due to his reaction (and not really knowing what to ask) and whilst my brain was still forming, to have an impact on me forever.

I worry that some of it effects my attitude toward things as an adult. It certainly resulted in me being confused, being taken advantage of, and not confidently pursuing things that could have been enjoyable times, as a teenager and young adult.