By a show of hands how many have found themselves screaming, “Stop yelling!” at the top of their lungs without any irony whatsoever. Anyone? Well I do it more often than I would like to admit. We are loud talkers by nature so throw in a conflict or two and we are downright yelling at each other. Not this week. I am going to not yell at the children once this week. Don’t get me wrong, I will still correct their inappropriate behavior but I vow to do it in a lower decibel.
Yelling is so ineffective when done regularly. I used to understand this fact. It is best reserved for those situations when life and limb are in imminent danger. If I am yelling about everything from brushing teeth to picking up legos it starts to lose its meaning. I am just turning into crazy yelling Mom instead of ooh Mom has a good point.
I don’t want my children to yell at their friends, siblings, spouses, children so why am I modeling that for them? Unfortunately for Mom’s everywhere, kids tend to behave the way we behave and not the way we tell them too. I know how reasonable, loving, generous, and kind people should live. I could write a description of someone so moving you would invite them for dinner at your house this very evening. Sadly, actually being that person is much harder. Yet, if that is my wish for them I might as well start trying to show them how it is done instead of just yelling the descriptions at them.
So far, this week has gone well. Because it is in my consciousness I am aware and frankly shocked at how often I have to stop myself from yelling. It has become my default position. I am hopeful that this week will allow me to reset.
lesliepurchase 