Before becoming a parent, I had some firm beliefs: I would never drive a minivan, wear yoga pants, or be the type of mother who raised her voice. I would watch frantic moms in their stretchy pants wrangling their kids through stores, and I couldn’t fathom how they could lose their tempers so quickly. I promised myself that if I ever had children, I would maintain my composure, no matter the situation.
Oh, how naive I was. Motherhood swiftly knocked me upside the head and handed me a reality check. I quickly learned that a little yelling is often necessary when raising children. I find myself eating my words daily, whether it’s hissing at my kids to keep the noise down in church or using “disapproving lips” to make a point in the grocery aisle.
Yes, I’m a mom who yells, but before you jump to conclusions, it’s not always loud yelling. Over time, I’ve realized that I express my frustration in various ways, and I suspect you might do the same.
1. Disapproving Lips, aka “Disapproving Pout”
This technique usually involves a terse “Get. Over. Here.” and works best when my kids are misbehaving in front of family or during quiet moments in public places like libraries. It’s particularly effective for maintaining silence in a movie theater.
2. Clenched Jaw, aka “I. Said. NO.”
If you stroll through any store, you might spot a mom with her jaw clenched, issuing a firm ultimatum. This method is reserved for when you’ve reached your limit of saying “no” one more time — especially when the ice cream truck passes by or the kids plead for extra tokens at arcade joints.
3. The Raised Eyebrow, aka “Stop. Right. There.”
I’ve mastered the art of the raised eyebrow, which can halt my kids in their tracks from across a crowded playground. This move is ideal for moments when they’re misbehaving but are out of earshot, like at parks or community pools.
4. The Ominous Smile, aka “The Sweet Voice”
My siblings and I were experts at mischief during family events. We knew we were in trouble when mom used her overly sweet tone: “You need to stop that right now, honey. It’s not polite to stand on a chair.” That smile and her wide eyes hinted that we’d hear about our behavior later.
5. Total Meltdown, aka “Your Neighbors Will Hear This”
I admit this form of yelling is the least admirable. We’ve all had moments where motherhood pushed us to our limits, whether it’s dealing with spilled eggs or a favorite sweater being flushed down the toilet. Often, these outbursts occur when our windows are open.
6. Dead Silence, aka “Things Just Got Serious”
Then there are those rare moments when words fail, and silence takes over because you’re too furious to speak. Moms of teenagers know this type well; when you resort to silence, the kids know they’ve crossed a line.
I’m not proud of losing my cool, but sometimes, a mom has to do what she must to instill some discipline. If you’re navigating through similar parenting challenges, you might find helpful insights in our other blog posts about boosting fertility supplements here or visit this link for authoritative tips. Additionally, for resources on pregnancy and home insemination, check out IVF Babble.
In summary, every mom experiences her own version of “yelling,” whether it’s through expressions, gestures, or words. Understanding these stages can help you navigate your parenting journey with a bit more grace.