Stop the Screaming with These Discipline Tips

Sometimes, the best way to get your kids to listen is to shout. Here’s how you can discipline your kids without yelling at them.

It can be challenging for many moms to get their kids out of the house. Despite your pleas, they refuse to get dressed or put their shoes on. It’s finally time to go. They run off and hide until you let out the screaming beast.

Many people don’t take your concerns about being on time seriously in haste to leave the house. A lot of things happen at the same time: You have to stop what you’re doing to make your kids wear their shirts over their heads.

It’s easy to forget that young children don’t understand what will happen if they’re late. There’s nothing terrible with reciting the same thing, but that’s not the answer either. They learn that they’re too dumb or don’t have to answer the first time.

It’s better to say it’s time for your kids to get ready once and not repeat anything. Then, say, “When you’re done, we’ll be on our way. Hope you’re ready to go.”

Do this firmly but gently if they aren’t already in the car. Next time, your kids will know you mean business if they have to go to school in their pajamas.

Sibling fights.

When your daughter knows how to push her brother’s buttons, she’s close to being a genius. There’s a full-blown fight in the car on the way to the park. In three seconds or less, your temper goes from 0 to 60, and it doesn’t take long.

Parents don’t care whose idea it was, even if they started it.

It’s almost impossible to be a referee when both kids are yelling and kicking. If you’re driving, the situation is even more dangerous.

A strong negative reaction to a tight situation with your children is like adding fuel to the fire; it only exacerbates the problem. Your first instinct might be to yell on the road, where you can’t stop and get involved. 

Instead, try to be responsive rather than reactive and not get angry. It’s not safe for you to drive while your kids are fighting, so after you pull over, say something like, “It’s not safe for you to drive while your kids are fighting.” “I can’t go anywhere until you’re calm. Then I can drive again.”

Keep your cool and show your kids how they should treat each other. The lesson you’re trying to teach right now is that calm cars move, and fighting cars stop. 

But the more important message isn’t just about driving. When parents respond to their kids in ways that make them feel heard and understood, their kids will understand how to treat other people exactly.

These are just some of the good tips on how you can discipline your kids without yelling at them.