The duality of man...

Dear Nicky,

Since the introduction of solids and what we believe to be the imminent arrival of a tooth or two, your eating has been a little off, and that's completely normal and natural. Also completely normal and natural is Mom's and my occasional reaction of frustration. See, our anxiety needles have been in the red for over six months now, and every so often we get a little short. It's not like we yell or hit, but we do get tense. I wish we never did, but then we wouldn't be normal, either. It's just human nature to get upset; you can't control it. There's going to be any number of things in the world that can upset you, and it's nothing to worry about. The important thing is how you deal with being upset. I guess the best way to deal with being upset or being angry is to let the wave of emotion wash over you and then roll off you, like water off a duck's back. Some not so good ways to deal with anger are to keep it bottled inside or pretend you don't feel it or judge yourself for feeling it. Don't torment yourself over your thoughts and feelings. It does not make you a bad person when you think or feel anything but sunshine and rainbows.

Love,
Dad