The bully

Yesterday I was a bully. I wanted to go somewhere for lunch. My daughter didn't want to go there. There are very few places that she does like, but that is not the issue. I was caught between doing what I wanted to do and what she wanted to do. And I really wanted to go to a certain place, but ended up agreeing to go where she wanted to go.

After I made that assertion I went on about how frustrated I get when she makes negative statements about restaurants. I was strong enough that she thought about it and decided to acquiesce and go where I wanted to go. I settled down.

I used my position of being her father to guilt her into agreeing with me. In short, I was a bully. The victory I achieved wasn't very sweet, but to my shame, I didn't back down either, and at this time I haven't apologized to her.

I will need to apologize before I can repair the tear I made to my relationship with her. After all, I am the adult here, even if I didn't act like it.