Shouting At Children, Reasonable Or Damaged? Check Out Healthy Parenting Guides

YOGYAKARTA - Many parents feel guilty when their voices suddenly rise when facing children who are difficult to direct. Many modern parenting guidelines also remind that shouting can damage children's emotions and development. However, this view is not completely black-and-white.

According to a psychologist who specifically explains the psychological health of children, Emily Edlynn, Ph.D. reported by Psychology Today, Monday, December 8, the context and way of shouting greatly affects its impact. Therefore, it is important to understand when this is still understandable and when it should be avoided.

Shouting often has a different meaning for each family. There are parents who just raise the volume of sound so that the message is clear, but without anger. There are also those who shout as emotional outbursts that have accumulated. This difference in meaning makes the assessment of the habit of shouting cannot be done haphazardly.

In his observation, Edlynn said that parents can raise their voices because of fatigue, stress, or feeling that they are not being heard after repeatedly giving instructions. Accumulating emotions can make spontaneous reactions more difficult to control. If the screams are not accompanied by harsh words, insults, or threats, and only occur occasionally, the impact tends to be different from the aggressive screams. Especially if the family relationship is basically warm and full of love, one or two times the sound increases will not immediately damage the closeness that has been built.

On the other hand, screaming can be dangerous if it turns into a communication pattern full of anger and hurt. If parents often insult, demean, or threaten through screams, it can trigger prolonged fear of children. Children can feel that home is no longer a safe place. In the long term, children can learn that affection is always associated with loud noises and fear, so this affects their ability to establish a healthy relationship when they grow up.

Conflict and emotions in the family are actually a natural thing. If after a parental conflict is able to apologize and improve the atmosphere, children can actually learn how to manage differences of opinion in a healthy manner. Children understand that everyone can make mistakes, but closeness can be restored with good communication and mutual respect.

In conclusion, shouting occasionally does not make someone a bad parent. What's more important is to keep the house a safe and caring environment. Parents also need to be aware of their emotional boundaries, stop for a moment when they feel overwhelmed, then return to calmly communicating. When screams become a painful habit and damage relationships, a change in communication patterns is needed by seeking new support or strategies in raising children.

It is very important to understand that parenting is not about perfection. Parenting is about awareness, responsibility, and love that is always updated every day.