Yesterday I read a blog post (ok, I found it on pinterest) about a group of mothers who were taking the Orange Rhino Challenge. The subject line caught my eye, "I will not yell at you because I love you." Interesting, I thought. I could do a little less yelling, I suppose. That click (or pin) changed my life. Or at least I hope it does. It definitely made me stop dead in my tracks. One mother wrote that she had no excuse for losing control- she controlled herself in front of public every day, even though she clearly felt like screaming at her toddler who was running off from the cart at the grocery store. She changed her perspective and realized she always had an audience, and the most important one was her child.
Scenes rushed through my memory of me losing it- full out losing control and taking it out on my precious children-my gifts from God. I don't know where I picked up this nasty habit of becoming frustrated beyond the point of control, but it must stop. And it stops now. My children do not deserve to be yelled at, no child does. And why DO I yell at them? I don't yell at other people's children. I have remarkable patience for children that aren't mine. Yes they do things that drive me up the wall. Yes, they talk too much, stomp their feet, throw things, color on my walls, use rude manners, drop crumbs, lose THEIR temper (wonder why?), and never stop saying "mom, mom, mommy, mamma, mom, MOOOOMMM!" Ugh. But they are children, and they are learning. They ALSO give the best hugs, love me in spite of myself, decorate my fridge with masterpieces, cuddle on my lap, pray with me, swing fearlessly and giggle uncontrollably. I love them. So I will not yell anymore. (Lord, only YOU can make this happen!)
Instead of yelling I will refer to the "List of 100 things to do INSTEAD of yelling" on the Orange Rhino page.
Any guesses as to how many times I sing La la la la, La la la la, Elmo's World? Or dance around like a crazy person, or even how many times I yell into a toilet? (I'm hoping to avoid that one...) I will take my own advice and use my words instead of huffing and yelling. And I will add to that list "Pray!" Because I'm going to be doing that A LOT more! But mostly, I will set an example to my children that Mommy DOES have feelings, I will express those feelings, and I will take a breather when needed. My children do not deserve to be yelled at and it in no way shows them my
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