Never YELL at Your Children!

Please, never YELL at your children! I was having a quiet snack at Taco Bell recently when the silence was broken by a mother who entered yelling at her three small girls. They looked to be about 5 to 7 years old.

I wouldn’t say she ruined my snack, but my thoughts were interrupted as she received her order and continued to scold her children. They were innocent little girls just being little girls, giggling, laughing and having a great time. They didn’t seem to be as annoyed by her constant rant as I was. The mom was causing a much louder disturbance than the little girls. Everyone was beginning to notice.

She continued to grumble as they were eating their tacos. Perhaps she was having a bad day. If so, she surely was taking it out on her kids. Bad day or not. . . there is NEVER a “good” reason for YELLING at your children.

If you pause for a moment to choose your words carefully and compose your thoughts, you can accomplish the desired result without letting everyone know you are out of control. It is not necessary to raise your voice as she continued to do.

I wanted to say something but instead choose to write her a brief note on the back of my business card (which, by the way, had my phone number on the other side).

As I was leaving, saying nothing, I handed her my business card on which I had scribbled: “You have three beautiful little girls who, in my opinion, were just being little girls. If you continue to yell at them, they will grow up to be just like you! Think about it!

I hope she got the message. So far she hasn’t called.