I can’t be the only one who screams and yells at my children. This is what I tell myself at least four times a day. Don’t get me wrong; I love my children. I start most days like Mary Poppins, but they know how to push my buttons even at the young ages of one and five. And boy, can they push me over the edge, so I’m ending the day like Cruella.
Recently, I feel like I’ve been yelling more than ever before (thank you, summer break). I’ve wondered if I should start a separate savings account for therapy for my boys or if my yelling is normal.
It’s surprising to see how many people judge yellers. But I’ve decided to embrace my yelling, as did my mom and the generations of strong Italian women before her.
As moms, we can experience extreme frustration and lose our patience. But so do our kids, and we shouldn’t try to hide this from them. This idea of showing human emotion hits home for me. We live in a time of social media and the image of “perfect” lives.
We all need a reality check. Expressing all kinds of emotions, both good and bad, quiet and loud, can help everyone remember what it means to be human. There is nothing wrong with getting upset.
I’d like to believe that children with parents who yell (or show emotion) are better suited to handle high-stress situations later in life. My boys are often more empathetic, which allows them to be more successful when faced with adversity.
I’m never mean, and I usually start my statements with “I,” which teaches my boys that I’m taking ownership of my feelings. The other good thing about my yelling is that once it’s out, I feel better most of the time, and within five minutes, I’m hugging or kissing one of my boys. Being a parent is no joke. We need to remember that the things we worry that are ruining our children are helping build better adults.