Resources: 12 Alternatives To Lashing Out At Your Child

When life's pressures build up (and they will), don't take it out on your children. Use any or all of these alternatives instead of making your child feel bad over things they aren't in control of.

1. Take five deep breaths. Remember, you are the adult.
2. Close your eyes. Imagine you're hearing what your child is about to hear.
3. Count to 10. Better yet, 20.
4. Put your child in a time-out chair. (Try one time-out minute for each year of age.)
5. Think about why you are angry. Is it your child, or is your child a convenient target for your anger?
6. Phone a friend.
7. Have someone watch the children and then take a walk.
8. Take a hot bath or splash cold water on your face.
9. Hug a pillow.
10. Turn on some music and maybe even sing along.
11. Get a second opinion. Discuss your situation with someone else.
12. Write for prevention information:
    
    National Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse
    Box 2866L
    Chicago, IL 60690
    
    or
    
    Wisconsin Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse
    214 N. Hamilton
    Madison, WI 53703