Tuesday, July 13, 2010

I had this conversation with my four-year-old son while I was giving him a bath last night.

Justin: Mommy, why do daddies and mommies shout when they’re mad?

Mommy: Mommies and daddies shout when their kids don’t listen to them.

Justin: Why doesn’t Teacher J. shout when there’s a kid in class who won’t listen?

Mommy: Really? She doesn’t shout? She is a good teacher, baby! If you always listen to Mommy and Daddy, we don’t have to raise our voices when we talk to you. Do you understand?

VERDICT: Mommy is guilty as charged.

I have to admit. When the going gets tough and my child won’t listen, I sometimes resort to spanking or raising my voice. I noticed, however, that things only get worse because my son simply imitates what I do. There was a time when he was playing that he told me, “Mommy, I’m mad at you.” Then, he spanked me and said, “Joke only!” Also, when he doesn’t get what he wants and he’s getting frustrated, he shouts at the top of his voice, perhaps as a way of making himself heard.

One of the downsides of being a work-at-home mom is you still manage the house and attend to your child’s needs while holding a full-time job. It takes supermom powers to juggle everything and still be on top of the situation. What happens when you need some quiet time to do your work and your son sets his drum set to full volume despite your incessant pleas for him to stop?

I’m not perfect, but ‘m trying my best to be a good mom. Last night was a wake-up call for me. It made me realize how I’m setting a very bad example for my son. I vowed last night that I will try my mighty best to not raise my voice at the slightest provocation. Please God, don’t make me a monster mom!

I also need help from other moms out there. What do you do to avoid raising your voices when reprimanding your kids?


3 pensive thought/s:

I know what you mean, especially when we're exhausted.
Here's one important method I learned: "Say what you mean and mean what you say" Patience plays a big part.

 

i share your sentiments...i've tried countless times not to loose my temper, nor to raise my voice, i terribly failed, haha

 

I had that one eye opening experience also but it was my husband who made me realize that maybe Im being too hard on my daughter. After that I realized that maybe she got her sungit side from me :(

 

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