Everyone gets angry sometimes. But if you find yourself losing control or lashing out at your child, stop and take time out.

Stop. Think about what you are doing.

Take Time Out. When you are angry, take time to calm down before you respond to your child.

• Take a break. Get someone else to care for the child for awhile. No one can be a perfect parent for 24 hours every day.
• Find out what is normal for your child’s age. Friends who have older children can give good advice; so can a pediatrician or pediatric nurse.
• Have your child checked regularly. Pediatricians and pediatric nurses know a lot about children. Tell a health professional your problems. Sometimes a health problem will be found, but usually your pediatrician will be able to help by giving you advice about your child’s behavior.

• Bringing up children is not easy. There are lots of frustrations.
• Sometimes normal child behavior can trigger some parents to hurt their children. But it is the parents’ responsibility to avoid abusing their children. Child abuse is never the child’s fault.
• No parents are perfect.
• It is very helpful to try to find a short time each day that is your own personal time.
• All parents become frustrated at times.
• If you recognize a behavior in your child that might trigger abuse, ask a friend, family member, and/or health professional for advice and support.

For more information on how to prevent child physical abuse, please visit the Resources section of this website, or contact Prevent Child Abuse ND at 1-800-403-9932 (toll-free in ND) or 701-223-9052 to request more information.

Source: Cool Down Before Things Heat Up, R.K. Oates, M.D., Prevent Child Abuse America Publications. Emotional Abuse: Words Can Hurt, Marla Brassard and Stuart Hart, Prevent Child Abuse America Publications.