Sometimes I Yell

I know that I shouldn't yell at my kids.  Every expert says that it's not effective and may damage my child's ego, sense of worth, yadda yadda yadda.  I agree with them, I do.  But sometimes...sometimes I yell.  I don't like it, I always feel bad after I do it, but sometimes it happens.  I'm human.  I'm not perfect. 

When does it happen?  Well, it usually is when I've asked them 564 four times to do something and they are still coloring or watching tv.  Or when they are arguing or back-talking about the most mundane things and have been for the last 3 minutes.  That's usually what my triggers are.  I hate it, but sometimes I yell.  It gets their attention but I know that it's not the best way I can do that.  But I also know that I don't always yell.  Most times, I get their attention in some other way and it works.  But sometimes...

Now, I don't know what you're thinking, but I bet a good bunch of you are nodding your heads, saying it sounds like your house.  I decided when I started this blog that I would be honest with my imperfections--especially when it comes to parenting.  All too often, people put on the "perfect facade."  "I don't yell at my kids."  "My kids always listen."  "I always have fresh baked cookies and milk waiting, with my hair perfectly done and a gourmet meal from scratch cooking on the spotlessly clean stove."  If you are that person in all honesty--kudos!  But I'm willing to say that 99.9% of us moms are NOT that mom.  We do what we can to get by.  Some days it's more than others.  But our ultimate goal is to love, nurture and protect our children.  So sometimes I yell, but most times I don't.  My kids still know that I love them and would do anything for them.  I just occasionally do that really loudly.