Have you ever noticed how quickly a child can become “the problem”?
Maybe one child is slow getting ready for school. Another leaves things everywhere. One argues. One forgets. One seems to push exactly the button that … Read more
A man was guiding several youngsters through the exhibits in a museum. He was obviously impatient with their side trips and slow pace. Finally, he blurted out, “Hurry up! If you stop to look at stuff, we … Read more
When we are inclined to justify our anger at our children, we may point to the scriptural directive: “Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost” (Doctrine and Covenants 121:43).
There it is: sharpness!… Read more
It is surprisingly hard for adults to remember what life feels like to a child. We have traveled so gradually from childhood to adulthood that we may not realize how different their world is from ours.
For … Read more
God teaches surprising lessons about dealing with injustice. After suffering terrible injustices, Joseph Smith cried out to Heaven for vengeance on the Missourians: “Let thine anger be kindled against our enemies; and, in the fury of thine … Read more
Every parent knows the moment: irritation rises, words gather force, and we stand at the edge of saying something we may regret. In this series, I have offered religious and research reasons to resist anger. I have … Read more
One area of parenting is especially relevant to soft-spoken parenting: responding to children’s strong emotions. Haim Ginott and John Gottman were experts at showing parents how to help their children transform their strong emotions into growth and … Read more
Anger often feels irresistible. A child breaks a glass or hits a sibling, and we erupt. Can that automatic reaction be interrupted? Can volcanic anger be replaced by calm helpfulness? In the moment, changing course can seem … Read more
Soft-Spoken Parenting
Our culture often models anger as if it were righteous indignation. But the Lord and His servants consistently condemn anger. It is the enemy of righteousness, holiness, godliness. Consider carefully a few words of counsel … Read more
Soft-Spoken Parenting #2:
While the field of psychology has recently taken a strong stand against anger, God has always been against it. The Savior taught, “Whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in … Read more