It’s 8:35 a.m. You need to be out the door by 8:45 to make the 8:55 school drop-off. You asked your child to get dressed 15 minutes ago. You walk into their room, and there they are: sitting on the floor in their underwear, building a 400-piece LEGO set like they’ve got all the time in the world. You can feel yourself short-circuiting, steam practically billowing out of your ears. What can you do?

Like many of you, this Fall my little guy is going through a big transition…he’s starting Kindergarten. As I prepare to step into this new chapter of parenthood, I find myself sometimes consumed with questions and what-ifs. But what about him? What’s happening in his mind? I’ve worked with children of all ages, walking alongside them through countless school-year transitions. So today, I wanted to try something different and give you perspective through the voice of our children.

If you're wondering how the person you love most somehow became your least favorite teammate during a tantrum, here are 5 ways to handle those moments when you don't see eye to eye.