Twelve Alternatives to Lashing Out at Your Child

The next time everyday pressures build up to the point where you feel like lashing out -- STOP!

Try any of these simple alternatives. You'll feel better... and so will your child.

• Take a deep breath... and another. Then remember you are the adult.

• Close your eyes and imagine you're hearing what your child is about to hear.

• Press your lips together and count to 10... or better yet, to 20.

• Put your child in a time-out chair (remember this rule: one time-out minute for each year of age.)

• 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?

• Phone a friend.

• If someone can watch the children, go outside and take a walk.

• Take a hot bath or splash cold water on your face.

• Hug a pillow.

• Turn on some music. Maybe even sing along.

• Pick up a pencil and write down as many helpful words as you can think of. Save the list.