Parenting is hard. There’s no doubt about it. As soon as you think you have things figured out, your kids find a new and inventive way to make you question every decision you’ve ever made. One of the most challenging aspects of parenting is discipline. How do you know when to yell and when to stay calm? And once you’ve yelled, what do you do next? Here are five things to do after yelling at your child.
1. Take some time for yourself.
After a heated moment, it’s important to take some time for yourself. This may mean taking a few deep breaths, going for a walk, or listening to calming music. Taking a break will help you clear your head and come back to the situation with a fresh perspective. Find out what was triggering you, why you yelled, the root cause. Are you stressed about work? Is your child going through a tough time at school? Addressing the underlying issue will help reduce the chances of yelling in the future.
2. Talk to your child about what happened.
Once you’ve had some time to calm down, sit down with your child and talk about what happened. Listen to their side of the story and explain why your actions were not appropriate. This is a good opportunity to apologize for your behavior and set some ground rules for how you will react. This conversation should be approached with patience and empathy.
3. Apologize to your child.
Admitting that we were wrong can be difficult, but it’s an important part of parenting. If you yelled at your child without cause, take the time to apologize. This will help rebuild trust and improve your relationship with your child.
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4. Create a plan to prevent future outbursts.
It’s important to reflect on what led to the outburst in the first place. Was it something that could have been prevented? If so, create a plan to avoid similar situations in the future. This may include planning for your self care and wellbeing. This may also include setting limits beforehand and having an effective communication with your child. For instance,
- How much screen time is allowed?
- Is it okay for your teenager to date?
- How much pocket money is good enough?
- What is the right age for first waxing?
5. Talk to your partner or a trusted friend.
It can be difficult to process our own emotions, let alone try to explain them to our children. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, talk to your partner or a trusted friend about what happened. This will help you gain some perspective and figure out how to best move forward.
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Parenting is a difficult but rewarding journey. By following these tips, you can ensure that both you and your children remain happy and healthy!
Do you have any tips to add for what to do after yelling at your child? We would love to hear from you in the comments below!
