Heh... yes, parenthood definitely has a way of testing a lot of the things we believe about ourselves. And it never ends. Our three are now in their 30's, so now they are just bringing us their crises with their own kids!

It's easier being a grandparent, though... you get to feed them chocolate, and then hand them back!

I believe there is a lot to be said for a positive mental attitude... however you might find it. For me, a lot came from a simple switch from feeling like the universe was working against me to realizing that most of these things are just "events," and it is up to me to decide how I want to put a label on those events. Rain is simply water falling from the sky... good if your garden is dry and wilting, bad if you're having an outdoor wedding reception. But it's still just water falling from the sky...