I-hate-my-son May 2026

You are not alone in this struggle. Admitting you're struggling to "like" your son is the first step toward finding a path back to a relationship where love—and eventually, like—can flourish again.

Constant battles over bedtime, chores, or school can wear down even the most patient caregiver.

There is no shame in reaching out to a therapist. Many parents find that individual therapy helps them process their resentment, while family therapy can provide new strategies for managing a son's behavior. i-hate-my-son

It is the industry’s best-kept secret. We talk about the sleepless nights, the "terrible twos," and the financial strain of raising children, but we almost never talk about the deep, gut-wrenching moments when we look at our own child and think, "I just don’t like you right now." For some, that feeling is even sharper, more visceral—it feels like hate.

Research suggests focusing on three key moments: the first 3 minutes after waking, the 3 minutes after school, and the last 3 minutes before bed. Focusing on these small windows can help rebuild a sense of connection without feeling overwhelming. You are not alone in this struggle

Resentment rarely appears in a vacuum. It is usually the result of a "perfect storm" of factors:

You can hate the constant screaming, the lying, or the disrespect without hating the human being behind it. There is no shame in reaching out to a therapist

When your life feels entirely consumed by a child’s needs—leaving no room for your own career or hobbies—it’s easy to view that child as the obstacle to your happiness.