People who are very stressed do have trouble being patient parents - particularly to difficult teenagers! I'm wondering if you can lower your stress levels with some professional counseling? Some agencies provide counseling for free or at pay-what-you-can rates - ask your doctor for a referral. Your son has his own problems and he needs a parent right now. The last three chapters of my book "Raise Your Kids without Raising Your Voice" are for parents who are feeling very stressed - perhaps you can read them. I give some stress-reduction techniques there as well. We parents are never able to just "quit" being parents, no matter how we feel. The only healthy thing we can do is try to get the support and help we need in order to feel less stressed so that we can carry on and do a good job. In addition to therapy, you might try to take the edge off of your stress with self-help tools like Bach Flower Therapy (see the articles on this site or visit www.bachcentre.com) or EFT (go to YouTube and search for EFT Stress), as well as various forms of exercise, meditation, yoga and so forth. You have a major life issue going on (the unemployment) and you will likely feel out of sorts until that is resolved. However, you can help your mind and body do better by learning some stress-management techniques such as those I've mentioned here. Also, while you're reading my parenting book, do look at the other chapters as well because the book is loaded with techniques that you can use with your child in order to avoid yelling. You'll feel so much better and so will he.  All the best,  Sarah Chana

Do some meditation and yoga.

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