I was perusing the internet tonight and came across Martha Peace's website.  She is the author of one of my all-time favorite books, The Excellent Wife.  As I was reading through the question and answer pages, I came across this and felt that it was very pertinent for me, and wanted to be able to refer to it regularly.  I hope it helps you too.

Q:  Sometimes I go into angry rages especially when my children are acting up.  I always feel guilty and apologize, but it keeps happening.  Is there anything that can help?

A:  Angry rages are a deed of the flesh (Gal. 5:20).  They are sin. That is the bad news.  The good news is that with God's enabling grace, you can repent.  Sinful anger is almost always a habit and will only be changed by thinking kind, tender-hearted thoughts instead of angry thoughts (Eph. 4:31-32).  For example, instead of thinking “That makes me so mad!”, you ought to think, “My child is sinning.  How can I overcome evil with good?” (Rom. 12:21).  Then come up with a plan of action based on biblical principles.  Work hard at this.  Pray for repentance.  Confess the sin of anger right when it begins, when you first begin to feel irritated or frustrated. Humbly ask for God's forgiveness and your child's forgiveness.  You do not have to stay an angry person because “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Cor. 5:20).