Parents who experience stress at home with relationship difficulties and children's problems are often difficult to deal with. Parents who are raising children with developmental disabilities are particularly at risk for stress related disorders. 

Many times parents do not recognize that they are so overwhelmed by daily events and they displace their negative emotions inappropriately. Many of us have witnessed children's temper tantrums and parent meltdowns in restaurants, museums and parks. It is upsetting to view a child who is flailing and screaming at the top of his lungs but it is even more distressing to witness a parent who has totally lost control of her emotions in a public setting.

As witnesses there is not much that we can do to either help the child or the parent at these times. The lesson to be learned is both personal and individual.  Are you in touch with yourself so that you can recognize when you are feeling overwhelmed emotionally? If you are feeling edgy, jumpy, explosive and anxious, this may be the time to take a step back and do a self evaluation about what is going on at home, at work and with your children. 

First and foremost, you need to take care of yourself. If you are ill physically or mentally, you are not going to be able to take care of anyone else. 

There are clear warning signs that you need to pay attention to. If you are feeling tired and depressed seek out a counselor, psychotherapist or mental health specialist. Do not make the assumption that you will be better equipped to deal with your problems "tomorrow." Problems never disappear they just "morph" overtime. What changes in life is your perspective about daily experiences and unanticipated events. Mental health is learning to cope, develop strategies and acquire acceptance about all of the things that are out of our control. 

Remember, you cannot change other people you can only change yourself.