I am Walking in the Door Stressed

"I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor." Henry David Thoreau

As I came through the door after a challenging day of work, the tornado began. "Daddy's home." My kids wanted to share their day and their artwork, and my wife wanted to share how difficult her day had been. I wanted to lie down on the couch and be left alone.

This same scenario is happening all over the country with fathers (or mothers) and their
families. Families are converging on each other at the end of the day with wildly different needs and moods. The result can be hurt feelings and distance between family members.

Working parents often come home filled with stress and problems from the workplace. They're in a "fix-it" mentality and they're looking for some time to unwind before facing the brunt of their families.

Your kids, however, don't care much about your work stress. They want a father who notices them and who's excited to see them. Every little thing you do is noticed by your children-your facial expression, the way you hang up your coat, and the way you greet them. The question underlying all of this is, "Will daddy be here for me tonight?"

As a former athlete, I remember the preparation before competing that would put me in the right "state" to play at the highest level. We would visualize the game unfolding before us and spend some quiet time increasing our ability to relax and stay focused. When the game began, we were ready to play, largely because we had tuned into our bodies and created that readiness.

What kind of preparation do most of us put into our parenting role when we come home from work at night? Do we ready ourselves for being fully present to our kids and our spouse? Are we enthusiastic when we see them or are we consumed by our own issues?

Here are five ideas for readying yourself for your family when you as a parent