Self-Control {Yelling at Children}, Cymplified!

Just reading the title of this article had me swallowing the lump in my throat. In my mind’s eye, I was raising my hand and slowly sinking in my seat. Another mommy guilt.

Stop Yelling at Your Children – Why and How | CleverFather – StumbleUpon.

I think I am quite decided not to yell at my children (now, I just need to follow through, the hardest part). It sure takes a very conscious effort. I should be deliberate and intentional about it, keeping the following things in mind as I interact with them every single day.

• Yelling teaches kids to yell back.
• They won’t take me seriously until I raise my voice.
• Yelling kills the chance for conversation.
• Constant yelling ruins the effectiveness.

Why do I yell in the first place? Because they don’t do what I expect them to do. They cry and whine at the consequences of what they didn’t do. I get mad because they didn’t listen. Shouting, I had secretly hoped, would hit two birds with one stone. It’s the lecture AND the punishment. But, it just made me a monster and made them cry and whine even louder.

What should I do then? Thankfully, I stumbled upon the article below. It’s a wonderful post! It’s perfect for Christian parents. I want to train my kids in godliness and what better way than to use God’s Word? I need to start reading Proverbs.

Summer Project: Getting Children to Behave {guest post}.

I have yet to print this poster and put it where I can see it every day.

I have discovered that on some days, when Elle and I were getting along nicely (meaning, we were having good conversations, doing things together and laughing more often), there was little or no need for voice-raising and threats.

I ask God for His wisdom yet again and help me practice self-control (a fruit of the Spirit) and stop yelling at my children.