Yelling. It can be useful when you’re trying to find your child at a chaotic birthday bash, but it’s not the best way to express your annoyance at your mother-in-law for yet another gelatin dish at Sunday dinner. And let’s be honest, raising your voice at kids is counterproductive—kids don’t listen anyway. Yelling often leads to tears and frustration, not just for them, but for you too.
I’m not here to judge anyone’s parenting style; rather, I’m owning up to my own mistakes. When I reach my limit of patience, I transform into a human steam engine, and it’s not pretty. With that in mind, I decided to go a week without yelling. Here’s what I discovered:
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Calmness Equals Cooperation
At first, my kids were a bit bewildered—like they were waiting for a hidden camera crew to jump out. But surprisingly, they grasped what I was saying much better without my fiery gaze. -
Self-Talk Became My Best Friend
To avoid raising my voice, I resorted to muttering my thoughts aloud. I often found myself ranting about how it felt like no one would ever put on their shoes again. Seriously, if they can’t manage shoes in under 15 minutes, how would we ever fend off a zombie apocalypse? Spoiler: We wouldn’t. -
Toy Cleanup Was a Breeze
When I asked them to pick up their toys, there were no tears or tantrums. Maybe it was the absence of the throbbing vein in my forehead that usually appeared before a meltdown. -
Creative Outbursts Replaced Shouting
Instead of yelling, I channeled my frustration into silly dance moves and bizarre sounds. I might have stomped around like a confused chicken, but hey, it turned an impending scream into a quirky celebration of chaos. -
Kids Were Quick to Forgive
Whenever I slipped and raised my voice, my little ones were quick to say things like, “It’s OK, Mommy. Just ask us normally next time.” Kids are incredibly forgiving; they make it easier to change—and maybe a glass of pinot grigio helps too. -
Deep Breaths, Lots of Them
I took so many deep breaths that I could have swum to the UK and back without a hitch. -
I Got Down to Their Level
When I felt the urge to yell creeping in, I crouched down to their eye level and calmly explained what I needed. They even pointed out my brown eyes and the freckle on my chin, which was a nice distraction. -
Counting Became a Lifesaver
I counted to 10, then 20, sometimes with my kids joining in. We even made up the most awkward dance moves known to man. It was a bizarre mix of calming and crazy, especially when I found myself laughing like a mad scientist while counting. -
A Room of Solitude Was Sometimes Necessary
Occasionally, I just needed to escape to a quiet room to collect myself. -
Connection Improved
It may sound cliché, but it truly brought my kids and me closer. No one enjoys being around a fire-breathing dragon, so becoming a more cuddly teddy bear was a welcome improvement for all of us.
Quitting yelling is a continuous journey. It’s vital to remember that my communication sets the standard for my children. Yelling proves to be far less effective unless I want to raise kids who bark like dogs. Responding instead of reacting has created a more harmonious atmosphere in our home, even if getting shoes on still takes an eternity. When the zombies arrive, we’ll be the ones fumbling around without footwear.
If you’re interested in learning more about home insemination, check out this excellent resource from the CDC. And for those looking for practical advice on at-home options, you might find insightful information at Make A Mom.
Summary
Quitting yelling for a week revealed unexpected benefits, including better communication with my kids, improved cooperation, and a deeper connection. By transforming my frustration into creativity and self-reflection, I fostered a more positive environment for my family.