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When a child is frustrated, there are only two possible outcomes. In the first, his hurt or disappointment will express itself as anger and aggression. This may manifest as slamming doors when he doesn’t get his way, defying you when you make a request or turning his aggression on himself with comments like, “I hate my life.”

The other possibility is for a distressed child to feel his sadness — usually with the support of a caring adult. When a youngster is able to drop into sadness or has a good cry about his upset, he becomes able to make peace with whatever isn’t going his way, and accept life on its new terms.

Now, when I use the word “frustrated,” please understand that I’m speaking broadly. A youngster can be frustrated about a broken toy, a difficult homework assignment or a significant loss, such as divorce. Any time a child experiences things not going his way, he will be frustrated, paving the way for him either to adapt to the situation as it is, or express his discouragement as aggression.

via Divorce And Kids: Dealing With Serious Anger Issues.