I confess, I have a tendency to raise my voice. There’s a certain satisfaction in cutting through the chaos with a loud exclamation. The subsequent silence that follows a shout is oddly serene, reminiscent of the decorative vase where I plan to collect funds for my children’s future therapists. However, my goal is to reduce this behavior. Thus, my modest New Year’s resolution is to refrain from yelling at my children for a full 24 hours.
It’s often said that the best way to keep a New Year’s resolution is to set small, manageable goals. Instead of pledging to change everything at once, I’ve decided to focus on a single, achievable day without raising my voice. This feels like a reasonable target that I can gradually build upon. The ultimate aim isn’t to eliminate yelling from my parenting entirely, because a) I believe that, in moderation, being yelled at can be beneficial for children, and b) let’s be real, I’m not perfect.
While I don’t yell at my kids daily, it was the primary form of communication in my family growing up, and I’ve unfortunately adopted that style with my own. Despite its effectiveness, yelling isn’t pleasant, and it would likely benefit all of us if I did it less. Nevertheless, I anticipate numerous challenges as I attempt to navigate a full day without raising my voice.
Challenges Ahead
For instance, the hours between midnight and 6 AM are particularly fraught with opportunities for yelling. Once kids hit a certain age, waking up at 2 AM is less charming. Initially, you may empathize with your child’s nightmares, but by week five, your patience wears thin: “What do I need to do to convince you that monsters aren’t real? I’m considering hiring a shaman!” Resisting that late-night “go to sleep!” shout will be quite a test of my self-control, as my frustration at 2 AM can mirror that of a character from a dramatic film.
Then there’s the morning rush for school, which often involves conflicts over misplaced shoes and the all-too-common “forgetting” to brush teeth. I might need to adopt a meditative posture during this chaotic time. While I usually don’t raise my voice during school hours, the moment I pick them up, the struggle resumes. One of the surest ways to see your child’s less pleasant side is during the drive home from school. They’ve been away long enough for you to miss them, but that affection quickly dissipates when they start bickering.
Homework and Dinner Time
And of course, we can’t overlook homework and dinner time. To avoid yelling at my kids during these moments, I’ve decided to embrace a “natural consequences” approach. Don’t want to do your homework? You can explain that to your teacher in the morning. Don’t feel like eating dinner? You might just have to deal with hunger. I may end up with hungry, undereducated children, but at least I won’t have to raise my voice!
Bedtime Struggles
Finally, there’s bedtime, a true Jekyll and Hyde experience. When saying goodnight, you feel an overwhelming love for your children and gratitude for being their parent. But as soon as you leave the room, they request another hug or ask for water, and before you know it, your patience is tested to extremes.
In summary, while there are legitimate reasons to raise one’s voice throughout the day, I aim to take advantage of fewer of these situations. I will likely need an outlet for my frustration, perhaps taking up knitting for small pets. Or maybe I’ll just scream into a pillow instead. For more insights on navigating challenges in parenting, consider checking out this informative piece on home insemination and see how others manage their journeys.
Summary
This article discusses a personal commitment to refrain from yelling at children for 24 hours, reflecting on the challenges and potential benefits of reducing this behavior in parenting. The author shares insights on typical scenarios that provoke yelling, such as late-night awakenings, morning routines, and homework dilemmas, while emphasizing the importance of finding alternative coping mechanisms.