Healthy Anger Made This Dad a Better Co-Parent

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His heart was racing, his palms sweaty, as he pulled up to his ex-wife’s house to drop off his daughter.

At that time, just the thought of seeing his ex made J.P.’s blood boil.

The memories of all those nasty fights come flooding back, the yelling, the slamming doors. It was like a pressure cooker in his chest, ready to explode.

As he unbuckles his daughter from the car seat, he feels the familiar rage bubbling up.

His daughter’s mother strides over, a fake smile on her face. The jabs start immediately. “You’re late, as usual.” That’s all it takes for the volcano to erupt.

“Oh, don’t give me that crap! If you’d just be on time for once, I wouldn’t have to rush over here!” The words fly out before J.P. can stop them, venom dripping from every syllable. He hates himself in that moment, hating the angry dad he’s become.

This used to happen to J.P. all the time — the blow-ups, the ugly exchanges in front of his daughter.

It was taking a toll, not just on his co-parenting relationship, but on his own health and well-being. The stress was through the roof, his anger spiraling out of control. Something had to change, and fast.