Want to stop yelling? Here’s your plan.

“If you’re upset, it is the wrong thing to say or do and will only aggravate the situation. It is not what you want to say.  It does not represent your true intention and is therefore inauthentic.  The proof to this inauthenticity is that later you regret your words and actions and they build walls between you and your child.” — Naomi Aldort

When we’re angry at our children, most of
us burst out with words we would never say if we were calm. At the time, we feel completely justified, because we’re in “fight or flight” and our child
looks like the enemy.

Later, though, we’re often remorseful.  We apologize, or try to reconnect. But if we keep doing it, kids react to our yelling by putting another brick
in the wall between us, and dismantling that wall isn’t easy.  

Or, we justify having yelled: “There’s just no other way to get through to that kid.” (That reinforces the wall.)

Wouldn’t it be amazing to simply stop yelling, even when you’re angry? You can still get your child to comply with your directives. In fact, children are
more cooperative when parents are more regulated.

It’s completely possible. No matter how much you yell, no matter how your child acts.

Hard work? The hardest there is. But the results are priceless. You and your child will be much closer, which means he’ll want to behave better. And watching
you manage your emotions will help him learn to regulate his own emotions better.

The key is supporting yourself so you’re less likely to lose it. Here’s your ten point plan.

1. Take a vow of Yellibacy.

Make a sticker chart for “Respectful Voice” and put it on the fridge. Your child decides whether
you get a star each day.  Obviously, yelling is not a respectful voice.  Notice you can still guide your child — just respectfully.

Are you against sticker charts?  Me too, for kids, because they often teach the wrong lessons. But I’m not worried about teaching the parent the wrong
lesson. 🙂 You’re embarking on a tough mission. You need an accountability partner, and who better than your child?

2. Make sure you aren’t running on empty.

You can’t act much nicer than you feel. If you’re running on empty, how can you regulate your emotions? How can you be emotionally generous to your child?
Find sustainable ways to keep your nature sunny, so you can give your child the best of yourself.  That keeps you ready to rise to the occasion
when your child pushes your buttons. Besides, you deserve to feel sunny, too! Parenting is a marathon, not a sprint. Especially in this very tough
year. 

3. Set limits with your child before things get out of control,

while you can still be empathic and keep your sense of humor. Notice that by the time you’re losing it, not yelling is only possible if you bite your tongue
so hard you give yourself a piercing.  You’re only human, so of course you’ll yell once you get pushed over the edge.  It’s your responsibility
to stay away from the edge!

4. Remember that children will act like children

That’s their job. How will they know where the limits are unless they test them? How will they let you know they need your help with their tangled-up feelings
if they don’t “act out” those feelings they can’t express in words? Your job is to set the limits with empathy and kindness, and stay connected while
they express their upsets, so they WANT to follow your lead and internalize your limits.

5. Stop yelling and start connecting.

You’re yelling because you want to change your child’s behavior, right?  That’s not actually the best way to change her behavior long-term. Instead,
try empathy. You can still set limits as necessary. But take the time to see things from your child’s point of view. Empathize with her, and help her
meet whatever needs she was trying to meet in a better way, whether that’s:

  • Mastery: “You’re screaming because you wanted to do it yourself? Here, let’s pull over the chair for you to climb up, and you can do it yourself.
  • Connection: “I hear that whiny voice…this is a tired time of day, isn’t it? Come, let’s put you in the carrier so you can watch over my shoulder while I make dinner, and we’ll stay very close.”

If you address the need or emotion behind the behavior, you change the behavior. Without raising your voice.

6. Teach emotional regulation.

Kids learn emotional regulation from our staying calm and empathic in the face of their upsets. When we say “You are so mad! Tell me in words! No hitting…” to our toddler, he learns that being angry is ok, there’s even a word for it, and you as the parent understand how he feels. That helps him control
his impulse to hit. If, instead, we tell him that he’s a bad boy, he may try to squelch his anger, but that only works temporarily, so his anger will
burst out uncontrolled at another time.

7. Play instead.

Kids respond to the “tone” of our energy. When we have an edge in our voice, they feel frightened, and move into “fight or flight” which means they start
raising their own voices, arguing, or melting down. If, instead, you can respond to minor infractions with a sense of humor and playfulness, kids tend
to relax and cooperate. So instead of “I told you to go take your bath right now!” try “I am the robot of the bath…I have come to carry you off to the bathroom” with a mechanical voice and lumbering gait that gets your child squealing with laughter and running ahead of you toward the bath.

8. Notice what triggers you.

When we yell, it’s because we’re triggered. I know — at the time we think we’re right. But since yelling is never the most effective way to handle
conflict, we wouldn’t yell if we weren’t triggered. 

The best way to start healing your triggers is to talk about your own childhood with someone you trust. How did your parents handle it when you got
angry or upset? Did you get yelled at? How did it make you feel? Surface those feelings and breathe your way through them and let them go. You’re
deactivating your triggers. (For more on healing your triggers: How To Stop Lugging Around Your Old Emotional Baggage)

9. When you find yourself yelling, or in the middle of losing your temper, just Stop.

Even if you’re in the middle of a sentence. As soon as you notice your voice is raised, shut your mouth. Walk away. Breathe. You’re not losing face. You’re
modeling responsible anger management.

10. Teach only love.

If you’re angry, don’t try to teach your child “a lesson.” You’ll be modeling lessons you don’t want to teach.  Instead, just stop. Breathe. Say a
little mantra, like “Kids need love most when they deserve it least.” Wait until you’re calm. You’ll intervene so much more effectively then.

So if you’ve been shouting more in this very stressful year, you’re not alone. But why not take a vow of yellibacy? Try it for a week.  Give yourself
whatever support you need to be successful. I’m betting you’ll see a wonderful change in your family, one that will keep you going long after your
experiment ends. In a year, you won’t remember the last time you yelled. Miraculous? Yes.  But this is something you can do. Which doesn’t make
it less of a miracle.

***

Want more support to stop yelling? I’ve got you covered! My Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids Course has helped thousands of parents become more calm and patient. And if you register before August 14, you can take advantage of the EarlyBird discount
to get 10% off!

Read this article in Romanian.

Click here to watch Dr. Laura’s video: How Parents Can Stop the Cycle of Yelling.





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