According to a 2003 study published in The Journal of Marriage and Family, 88 percent of the 991 families interviewed admitted to shouting, yelling or screaming at their children in the previous year. That percentage jumped to 98 percent in families with 7-year-old children.

The truth is, we’re moms, who live life at varying degrees of pressure, so whether we want to admit it or not, we’ve probably let out a yell, or, at the very least, wanted to.

We’re not perfect and, thankfully, our kids have probably figured that out too.  But, if we want to continue down the path of healthy living then the yelling has to cease, and our quest to live more peacefully needs to increase. 

So, let’s get to the heart of the matter.  Typically, we yell when we’re angry. Because of our, round-the-clock, schedules, we are more prone to get frazzled and then angry.  And, when that anger reaches its boiling point, then we’re bound to let our little ones see just how imperfect we really are.  That anger can lead to stress, and if we continue along this mode of operation, then it can lead to negative physical symptoms like headaches, elevated blood pressure, sleep issues and even heart problems.

According to Laura Kubzansky, PhD, MPH, an associate professor at the Harvard School of Public Health, who has studied the role of stress and emotions on cardiovascular disease, people who experience frequent high levels of anger are at an increased risk for heart disease. 

Yelling also has an affect on our kids.  According to an article in USA Today, yelling, not only takes a physical and emotional toll on the yeller, but it deeply affects those on the receiving end of that high-decibel stress. Children's brains are so sensitive to yelling that a child who is yelled at regularly, say, at bedtime or before school can become "immune" and start to "tune it out," explains psychologist and researcher Myrna B. Shure, author of Raising a Thinking Child.  In her research, she found a troubling correlation between kindergartners whose parents disciplined through yelling and demands, and the children's expression of aggression. 

So, the bottom-line, moms, its normal to get upset, but let’s try to express that emotion in healthy ways.  Think before you speak, or react on a whim.  Take deep breathes to calm yourself.  Set aside time to unwind and recoup from your hectic day.  Figure out what the stressors are in your life and tackle those areas one by one.  Find a friend to hold you accountable for your bursts of rage.  And, if the anger, or stress, is more than you can bear, then consider seeking professional help.  

We’re not perfect but, we are, “works in progress,” and the ultimate goal is to progress into better mothers everyday.  Our health is vital to success.  Without it, we can’t be the moms we were destined to be for our children.  So, remember to pause before overreacting; exhale; de-stress, and for the sake of your health, and the health of your family, stop the yelling!

For more ways on combating anger, check out an article by the Mayo Clinic Staff. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/anger-management/MH0010

For 10 ways of reducing stress at work check out the article below: http://careermommy.hubpages.com/hub/tenwaysmomscanreduceworkstress