Single parents: How to avoid taking your anger out on your kids

Frustration can abound when you are single parent. There is no one else there to pass the children off to when they'd become difficult or annoying. And every parent knows that children become annoying at times. When you are at the end of your rope as a single parent it to be hard not to take your anger out on your children. However, to keep your household moving forward smoothly, you must learn how to avoid doing this. The following article to give you tips and tricks that will help the single parent keep their cool even when their child does not.

Single Parent Anger Management - Take a Break

Perhaps the best way to deal with anger management as a single parent involves taking a break when emotions are running high. Of course, you cannot pass the child off to another parent to deal with at the time, but you can still give both you and your child breathing room.

Before yelling or speaking out of anger, take a moment to count to ten, leave the room and do some deep breathing, or do some other calming activity. It is good to tell your child that you are too angry to deal with them at the moment and you will discuss the issue later.

Single Parent Anger Management - Give a Hug

When anger overwhelms you, it is hard to focus on the positive. When you feel angry beyone words, remember the mantra, "I still love you." No matter how furious you might be at whatever your child did wrong, give them a hug before talking about it. A hug will difuse the situation and remind them that they are loved no matter what. This may be difficult with older children or teens who resist hugs. Looking them in the eye and telling them you love them no matter what is effective as well.

Single Parent Anger Management - Get Help

While a single parent may not have immediate help to deal with a child who is misbehaving in some way, they can still get assistance with how to avoid taking their anger out on the child. Parenting classes, therapy, anger management counseling can all help. Sometimes, just calling a friend or relative can dampen the anger welling up inside.

Taking your anger out on your child is never acceptable, but it is very understandable. Single parents, who do not have the luxury of sharing the emotional load of difficult parenting times, must find other avenues to diffuse situations before they explode into outright fury.

Source: MelanieM (Bukisa)