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No More Yelling
You wouldn't normally scream at an annoying friend or neighbor. Yet shouting at a misbehaving or dawdling child is standard for many parents. When sociologist Murray Straus, Ph.D., and his colleagues interviewed 991 families, they discovered more than 90% use yelling, screaming, or shouting as a way to correct the behavior of a child. "Parents assume that because everybody does it, yelling is harmless," says Dr. Straus, who co-directs the Family Research Laboratory at the University of New Hampshire in Durham. "That's not the case. Yelling belittles kids and undermines the parent-child bond."
Another reason to quiet down: Raising your voice is no more effective than other, less harmful, alternatives. "Walking up to a child and repeating 'Stop it' works just as well as shouting," Dr. Straus says. "If necessary, hold your child firmly and explain that what he's doing is not okay." The reality, say researchers, is that whether you spank, yell, or speak in a normal voice, a toddler has about an 80% likelihood of repeating her misdeed within the same day, a 50% chance within a few hours. Repeating your message without hollering is, in the long run, the better, far less harmful, tactic.
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I expected more from any article and this was only 2 paragraphs. STILL-- it's good info for parents. As a volunteer for Parents Anonymous, I am ALWAYS looking for information to help our parents NOT abuse their children. Murray Straus is a name I know well. It is something parents do without thinking. As parents, you have to stop and think. As short as the article is, I will share it with my parents. Thank you.
1/11/2012 02:08:34 PM Report AbuseTHIS IS WONDERFUL! I wish that a lot of parents could read this article. I agree 110% with the first 3 comments. Teach by example...and that's what you will get!
4/11/2011 03:49:04 PM Report AbuseGreat article! my kids are grown however i do teach preschool at my church. I believe it sets a good example. My mom used to yell at me in public and it was humiliateing as a child and it takes almost forever to get over the fellings it left you with. Remember kids will forget sometimes what you said however they will never forget how you made them fell.
3/31/2011 03:00:03 PM Report AbuseThis is a good, relevent article. People forget that children deserve respect, too. I get tired of seeing parents screaming at/hitting their children and not coaching their children to the right behavior. I treat my kids to the same respect that I give my employees and vice-versa. No hitting, no threatening, no offering ice cream for behaving and NO YELLING. And I have three good, well-behaved children who can explain why we do/do not do things based on the rationale behind it.
3/30/2011 01:09:36 PM Report AbuseYAY! thanks for this one, I was beginning to feel like a crazy person repeating myself ALL DAY LONG, but it does work! "Glen, put your shoes in the shoe bin...Glen, put your shoes in the shoe bin....Glen, put your shoes in the shoe bin..." "OK, MOM!" This is my life...thanks Parents.com!
3/10/2010 11:22:01 AM Report Abuse