16 Ways to Stop Yourself From Lashing Out at Your Child
April 9, 2025
- Stop. Step back from your child, and sit down.
- Take a deep breath. Take another. Inhale and exhale slowly. Repeat.
- Remember you’re the adult, and you set the standard for behavior.
- Count to 10 or say the alphabet out loud.
- Close your eyes, and imagine you’re hearing what your child is about to hear.
- Put your child in a time-out chair. (One minute of timeout for each year of age.)
- Take your own time out, and think about why you are angry. Is it your child or is your child an easy target for your anger about something else?
- Phone a friend or relative.
- Phone our TALKLine on (415) 441-KIDS (5437).
- Splash cold water on your face or take a shower or bath.
- Squeeze a pillow as hard as you can.
- Do some sit-ups or jumping jacks.
- Go outside for a walk if someone is able to watch your children.
- Turn on your favorite music.
- Write down your thoughts.
- Lie down on the floor or just put your feet up.
