Yelling at your kids can become a hard habit to break but it can also be quite damaging. This one simple strategy stops me from yelling at my kids and it can work for you too.
It was one of those hot summer’s days that had blurred into scorching hot summer’s days before it.
Seeking refuge from the heat, I decided we would have an indoor day. My only plan was to get through a massive list of to-dos while my kids played. I don’t want to be the parent who always orchestrates and oversees my kids’ fun. So I shooed them off to play with some of their favourite toys in the basement.
My kids weren’t exactly on board.
They wanted me.
Sensing my preoccupation, both my daughter and my son started whining. A lot.
Any time I made any progress on the kitchen, it felt like two steps forward, one step back.
When I was in the kitchen unloading the dishwasher, they were taking out all their Playmobil and arguing. As they pulled out every Disney costume we own, I tried to sweep.
I did my best to appease them.
You want Oreos? Sure.
Want to watch a show? Why not.
You want to take out every single craft supply known to mankind and paint it? Heck, this place isn’t getting any cleaner. Go for it!
Related reading: The crucial difference between positive and permissive parenting
It didn’t matter.
The more I ushered them away, the more they fought, whined and complained. Despite them begging for attention, I just kept trying to get through the spice cabinet and my pantry.
That is until there was one fight too many.
I was standing in the kitchen. Both kids were on the stairs. I can’t even remember which kid pushed the other. But it was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back.
Related reading: How to Stop Sibling Rivalry Using Unbelievably Simple Strategies
That’s when I yelled.
From the depths of my being, I raised my voice to levels I didn’t know I had.
Now let’s get things straight, this was neither the first nor last time I had raised my voice. Regrettably, I do lose yell at my kids from time-to-time. But the anger I allowed to boil over that day was too intense. And it wasn’t my kids’ fault.
Crestfallen, my son dropped to his knees. It was as if I could see his heart breaking. My strong-willed daughter yelled back.
“Don’t you scream! You’re mean!”
With that, she started to cry too.
My little ones’ reactions were the most potent reality check I could have had. The anger washed out of me instantly as I grabbed a hold of both of them and apologized.
Slowly, it started to sink in.
Everything I had done that day led up to this moment.
There are times my kids play independently. They go outside, play with their toys, or try and make robots out of boxes and whole rolls of scotch tape. But, I had been fighting a losing battle. My kids were craving connection with me. No matter how they tried to get my attention, I remained more focused on task completion than on them.
After that day, I read, researched, and reflected. In time, I adopted a powerful tactic to stop me from yelling at my kids.
The strategy I use to stop yelling at my kids…
I will preface it by saying that self-care is crucial. If I haven’t slept, had alone time, or finished my stale cup of cold coffee, I can’t parent all that well. Leaving my phone and to-do list are pertinent when tensions are rising. But the biggest strategy that has stopped me from yelling is modelling.
In that split second just before I would yell, I take a deep breath. Then, I say as calmly as possible how I’m feeling. Quite literally, I do what I wish they would do when they’re melting down. Except I’m doing it myself.
What this looks like…
Often, I use phrasing like, “I’m starting to feel angry because you’re not listening.”
Other times, I say, “I feel like yelling right now.” Or, “I feel frustrated when you whine.”
The modelling goes further than that, though.
Not only do I identify why I feel as though my blood is about to boil, I also tell my kids how I’m going to calm down.
I will say, “I’m going to deep breathe and count down from five.”
Or, “I need space right now. I’m going to stand over here for a moment and then, I’ll be back to talk to you.”
Why I love this strategy to stop yelling at my kids
- It gives me release. I’m still expressing the anger I feel, however, I’m not losing my cool.
- I’m modelling how I’d like my children to act when they feel overwhelmed too. For example, instead of hitting my son when she gets frustrated, my daughter now says, “I feel like hitting him!” This is a huge win.
- And they listen way better than when I used to yell!
Other powerful strategies to stop yelling at kids
Though this one strategy to stop yelling at kids has helped me immensely, there are other powerful strategies that help me too.
- Engage in preventative maintenance – regular self-care is needed to become a calmer parent.
- Make it a family goal to stop yelling – chances are the kids raise their voices too. Getting everyone on board to communicate in a calmer, more respectful way can be encouraging and more motivating too.
- Use visual aids – Dr Laura Markham recommends creating a calendar to cross of each day you haven’t yelled. Not only will it help you see your progress, it can also help you get back on track. Dr Daniel Seigel and Dr Tina Payne Bryson recommend putting parenting quotes around the house and in the car to act as reminders.
- Remember that what looks like defiance often isn’t deliberate – when we change the way we evaluate our children’s behaviour it’s easier to stay calm in the heat of the moment. Ask yourself if your child is having a hard time, fearful, anxious, overwhelmed or feeling disconnected from you.
- Take a deep breath before responding. Making your exhale longer than your inhale to calm yourself in the heat of the moment. You can learn more about this breathing technique below.
The strategies to stop yelling at kids aren’t a quick fix…
Since that fateful day when I screamed, we’ve made progress. I do still raise my voice. And so, I apologize and explain I’ll try to do better next time. But when I fall short, I get back on track. The difference in our family is palpable. Everyone is calmer. Everyone is more relaxed. I’m still a work in progress but referring back to these tips to stop yelling at kids has paid dividends.
FAQ about yelling at kids
-
Is yelling at a child harmful?
Research by the University of Pittsburg found that the damages of harsh verbal discipline (scolding, shouting and shaming) were similar to the impacts of physical abuse. Namely, children in this two-year study who were regularly yelled at experienced a high incidence of depression, anti-social behaviour and rule-breaking (Wang & Kenny, 2013).
-
What can you do instead of yelling at your child?
In the heat of the moment, take a deep breath before responding. Express how you’re feeling using I feel/when statements. For example, I feel like yelling when you colour on the walls. You will experience release from pent-up anger without unleashing your anger on your loved one(s).
Outside of the heat of the moment, identify your triggers. Set up a game plan for when these events take place and how you will respond in the future.
Remember that modelling calmness will elicit more calm behaviour in your children.
Talk about feelings often as a means of everyone releasing built-up frustration. -
How can I get my kids to listen without yelling?
The first step to getting children to listen without yelling is by front-loading. Tell them what is expected beforehand – outside of the heat of the moment.
In the moment, get their attention and wait for eye contact. Once you have their attention, direct them.
Appreciate what it is they are doing if they are engaged in a fun activity and have to move to something less desirable. For instance, I see you’re having so much fun colouring. You have five minutes until I need you to set the table.
Give options to achieve the same outcome in different ways. For example, You can put your shoes on yourself or I can help you. With older kids, this could be: You can choose to set the table before dinner or load the dishwasher afterwards.
Instead of repeating yourself, get present and work with them to ensure follow-through.
Is yelling at a child harmful?
Research by the University of Pittsburg found that the damages of harsh verbal discipline (scolding, shouting and shaming) were similar to the impacts of physical abuse. Namely, children in this two-year study who were regularly yelled at experienced a high incidence of depression, anti-social behaviour and rule-breaking (Wang & Kenny, 2013).
What can you do instead of yelling at your child?
In the heat of the moment, take a deep breath before responding. Express how you're feeling using I feel/when statements. For example, I feel like yelling when you colour on the walls. You will experience release from pent-up anger without unleashing your anger on your loved one(s).
Outside of the heat of the moment, identify your triggers. Set up a game plan for when these events take place and how you will respond in the future.
Remember that modelling calmness will elicit more calm behaviour in your children.
Talk about feelings often as a means of everyone releasing built-up frustration.How can I get my kids to listen without yelling?
The first step to getting children to listen without yelling is by front-loading. Tell them what is expected beforehand – outside of the heat of the moment.
In the moment, get their attention and wait for eye contact. Once you have their attention, direct them.
Appreciate what it is they are doing if they are engaged in a fun activity and have to move to something less desirable. For instance, I see you're having so much fun colouring. You have five minutes until I need you to set the table.
Give options to achieve the same outcome in different ways. For example, You can put your shoes on yourself or I can help you. With older kids, this could be: You can choose to set the table before dinner or load the dishwasher afterwards.
Instead of repeating yourself, get present and work with them to ensure follow-through.
Leave a Reply