I know I can be mean and unfair to my kids. The world can be worse, they will need to learn how to cope to not only survive but thrive. I choose parenting over friendship. Mom is usually the good cop to provide the support when dad cold clocks them with it could and should be better. When they get my praise and admiration, they know it was earned. I have been continually reminding them my satisfaction or dissatisfaction with their progress is not an indicator of how much I love them, but a part of my job and if I didn't love them so much why would I put up with them. Of course they could not fathom that they can be difficult to love at times....good times at the household I tell ya.