I have to confess, I can be a bit of a yeller. There’s something oddly satisfying about cutting through the constant commotion with a loud shout. That brief moment of silence that follows is almost poetic, not unlike the decorative vase I keep to collect the funds earmarked for my children’s future therapists. But let’s be real, I dislike yelling and want to make an effort to reduce it. So, my ambitious New Year’s resolution is to refrain from yelling at my kids for a full 24 hours.
They say the secret to sticking to New Year’s resolutions is to aim small. Rather than vowing to make sweeping changes, it’s better to take baby steps toward a bigger goal. Hence, I’m committing to just one day without raising my voice. It seems like a manageable target that I can build on later. I’m not naïve enough to think I’ll become a completely yell-free parent because, let’s face it, a little yelling in moderation can be beneficial for kids, and who am I kidding?
Now, I don’t yell at my kids every day, but shouting was the primary mode of communication in my household growing up, and it’s unfortunately become my default with my children. Despite its effectiveness, yelling isn’t exactly warm and fuzzy, and it would likely do wonders for our family dynamic if I could dial it back. However, I know this will be challenging, especially during certain times of the day.
The Wild West of Parenting
For instance, the hours between midnight and 6 AM are like the wild west of parenting. Once your child hits a certain age, those late-night wake-up calls at 2 AM are less than charming. Initially, you’re sympathetic to their nightmares, but after a few weeks, you find yourself thinking, “What do I need to do to convince you that monsters aren’t real? I might even hire a shaman at this point.” Resisting that 2 AM “go to sleep!” shout will be tough, especially when I’m filled with rage reminiscent of the characters from intense movies.
The Chaotic Morning Routine
Then there’s the chaotic morning routine. It’s a daily battle over misplaced shoes and “accidentally” forgetting to brush their teeth. I might need to meditate through it all! While I don’t typically yell at them during school hours, the moment I pick them up, it’s like a switch flips. Kids can be at their most challenging during that drive home from school, where they transform from “I miss you!” to “Stop looking at me!” faster than you can say “buckle up.”
Homework and Dinner Time
And let’s not overlook homework and dinner time. To avoid raising my voice, I’ve adopted a “natural consequences” strategy. Don’t want to do your homework? Great! You can explain that to your teacher in the morning. Refusing to eat dinner? Well, I guess you’ll be hungry later. Sure, I might end up with hungry, underachieving kids, but at least I won’t have to yell.
Bedtime Challenges
Finally, there’s bedtime. Goodnight hugs are filled with love and gratitude for these little beings I’m lucky enough to call my own. But once I step out of the room and they start asking for another hug or a glass of water, I’m quickly transformed into a frustrated version of myself.
In conclusion, there are plenty of valid reasons to yell throughout a day, but I’m determined to take advantage of fewer of them. I’ll definitely need an outlet for my frustration instead. Maybe I’ll start knitting tiny sweaters for squirrels? Nah, I think I’ll just scream into a pillow instead.
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Summary:
In a humorous take on parenting challenges, Jane Harper shares her resolution to avoid yelling at her kids for 24 hours. She acknowledges the difficulties of maintaining calm during nighttime wake-ups, school mornings, homework, and bedtime rituals. While recognizing that some yelling may be necessary, she hopes to find alternative ways to manage her frustrations.