UMCH works to educate families by offering parenting classes, counseling and other services on an ongoing basis. Click here for more information on our family preservation services. We teach families that every parent has the ability to stop the cycle of abuse. Here are seven examples of ways to handle the stress of parenting.

 

Seven Alternatives to Lashing Out at Your Child

 

     The next time everyday pressures build up to the point where you feel like lashing out, try any of these simple alternatives. You'll feel better... and so will your child.
 
1. Take a deep breath... and another. Then remember you are the adult.
 
2. Close your eyes and imagine you're hearing what your child is about to hear.
 
3. Press you lips together and count to 10.
 
4. Put your child in a time-out chair (remember this rule: one time-out minute for each year of age).
 
5. Put yourself in a time-out chair. Think about why you are angry: is it your child, or is your child simply a convenient target for your anger?
 
6. Turn on some music; maybe even sing along.
 
7. Pick up a pencil and write down as many helpful words as you can think of. Save the list.


Adapted from Prevent Child Abuse America, 1-800-CHILDREN, www.preventchildabuse.org