Yelling Deal

So, I have a problem. I am a screamer. If you grew up with me, this would not come as any surprise.

I am not nearly as loud or obnoxious as I was in my teenage years, but that really isn’t saying much. Not too long ago, I started yelling at Eila (when she peed on the special Nativity book that we got this past Christmas – on purpose!) and she started yelling back at me! I realized then that we had a much bigger problem than I had originally thought – now involving my very impressionable youngsters.

In light of this, Eila and I made a deal. After cleaning up the mess and apologies, we agreed to stop and take a deep breath when we are really mad or frustrated with circumstances (and pray!) and then talk as calmly and kindly as possible. If we screw up, the other person will say “Please try again without yelling.”

Honestly, this has worked great for us (but not anywhere near perfectly), in the nearly two weeks since we shook on this deal.

Whining is still my nemesis and wears me out like there is nothing else. Fortunately, the whining is mostly when Eila is really tired and hungry, so fairly easily fixed.

2 Comments »

  1. Melanie R. said,

    April 29, 2008 @ 10:53 pm

    I can’t picture it, Shannon. You’re so sweet! Well, I have the same yelling problem at times. They pick it up quickly, don’t they? I like the calming solution, keeping each other accountable. And the whining…I’m right there with you, girlfriend. Still working on that one! 🙂

  2. kelly said,

    May 4, 2008 @ 3:59 pm

    Hey there, catching up on blogging today, Sunday, and this caught my eye. I am also a yeller, and the boys have picked it up too!! I am sad that this is a condition I have passed down to me at my home growing up and I have some what transfered it to my current home. The “I’m sorry,” is huge. Keep doing it, we do, and the praying is a must. I don’t remember my folks apolgizing and asking for forgiveness so I think that is a big step for me. Then just a lot of deep breaths.

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