10 Things to Do Instead of Yelling at Children

Parents should avoid yelling at children as much as possible because it can create bad impact on them. Read on to learn about 10 things to do instead of yelling at children.A parent-child relationship should be one based on values such as love, trust and security. Thanks to the stressful lives parents lead, it often becomes difficult for them to handle a mischievous or bad-tempered child. Needing an outlet to vent out their frustration and exhaustion, parents raise their voice at them. Children are deeply affected by this reaction as they are unaware of their mistake but become defensive in later life. However, all you need is to keep your cool but be firm with your child with the help of the following tips. In this articleKeep Your Low but Be Matter-of-FactExplain your Feelings to the ChildHave Clear Rules and Follow ThemBe Sure that Your Child Understands the RulesAsk Someone to Mind You to Give You a SignalGood Eating and Sleeping HabitsAdjust ExpectationsTake a Parent Time-OutMaintain a Strong Bond with your ChildApologize When You Have Raised Your Voice1. Keep Your Low but Be Matter-of-FactAs advised by many psychologists, keeping your voice soft but adopting a no-nonsense way is the key to make your child listen to you. Though the results are positive, be sure not to lose your patience when your child becomes naughtier than usual.2. Explain your Feelings to the ChildAsk the child if there is any reason for his or her bad behavior. If so, teach him or her methods to express his or her feelings positively. Do not yell at your child saying that the action is bad; instead, tell him or her why the action is bad and what its consequences are.3. Have Clear Rules and Follow ThemIt is necessary to set some ground rules to discipline your child. When you have set a rule for him or her, be sure to let him or her know the consequences if the rules are not met. Empty threats and nagging will not work for your child, so do carry out the punishment as warned. But make sure that punishments are not too harsh.4. Be Sure that Your Child Understands the RulesAfter you have explained the rule and its consequences to your child, have him or her repeat it back to you. If it is a small child, bend down to a face-to-face level and keep eye contact so that it is easier for him or her to listen to you and pay attention. Tell him or her that she will get just one reminder, after which she might have to face the consequences.5. Ask Someone to Mind You to Give You a SignalDuring the first few times of your new technique, get a trusted friend or your spouse to watch you in the situation and send you a signal when you are about to yell. When this happens, walk away and take deep breaths to avoid shouting at your child.6. Good Eating and Sleeping HabitsResearch shows that well-nourished and happy children tend to have few behavioral issues. Make sure that your child has good habits and that he or she has adequate amount of rest and play so that he or she does not become cranky.7. Adjust ExpectationsSometimes, we end up expecting too much out of our children and that causes trouble. When your five-year-old forgets to put away her toys, give her just a gentle reminder but do not nag. Lower expectations and help her clean up the space.8. Take a Parent Time-OutEven as a parent, you need to calm down before dealing with your child in a temper. When your child is being extremely uncooperative, just leave him or her alone for a while to relax. Listen to some music or take a shower, think about how you could handle the child in a better way. Revisit the situation when you are not so angry.9. Maintain a Strong Bond with your ChildIn addition to nourishment and rest, it is important to maintain a loving and respectful bond with your child so that he or she listens to you. When you yell at your child, he or she loses respect for you. If you get angry frequently at your child, he or she will not feel comfortable to share his or her problems with you.10. Apologize When You Have Raised Your VoiceParents are humans, and it is natural for them to have yelled at their child. Now that the damage is done, make it a point to apologize to your child when you have calmed down. It is important for them to know that mom and dad did not mean to raise their voice, but they expect them to behave like good children.Bringing up well-behaved children is one of the hardest tasks a parent has to do, but the joy of raising an obedient child is worth the effort. Each parent has their own style of managing their child, and they should try the above methods to see which works the best for them and their child.How to avoid yelling at children? What are the harmful effects of yelling at children? Which techniques can prove helpful to avoid yelling at children? Discuss here.