How can feeling hateful be such a natural emotion and still be so bad for us? It is hard sometimes not to hate someone or hate a situation or something that has happened in our past, but the truth is, holding on to that hate only hurts us and is a waste of valuable time.
Surely hate is not the sole challenge for a single parent, but holding on to hateful feelings and/or resentment can definitely keep us from moving on and being happy. If you have been through a painful and horrendous divorce, or have been hurt by an ex or ex family members, or even if you feel as though life has treated you unfairly in some way–holding on to that hate can eat away at your own happiness and sense of well-being–not to mention keep you from being able to connect in a positive way with your kids.
Now, don’t get me wrong–there are time when I positively HATE things–I hate having my time wasted by inconsiderate people, and I can get incredibly agitated when things go badly. Hanging on to this, however, only hurts me–it sucks up my energy and takes up my time–it does not actually hurt or affect the person or situation that I am feeling hateful toward.
If you are clinging to hatred for an ex partner or are still hating something that has happened or your present situation–you are shooting yourself in the foot. Let it go, release the hate, and you will free yourself up to feel better and move forward. Not to mention you will create a more loving and positive environment for your child or children. Passing on hate and resentment to our children will only make things worse and keep them from learning how to let things go and embrace the joys of life.
Also: Does Fighting Mean They Hate Each Other?
What if You Hate Your Child’s Teacher?