Keeping anger at bay |19 August 2017

Everyone gets angry. In fact, it is natural to feel annoyed to the point of wanting to burst out. Yet, it is what one does when you reach that point of ‘losing it’ that makes a difference.

“When I get mad, I get really mad! I can say terrible things that are very hurtful, but I can also get very aggressive and physical,” says an anonymous lady in her early forties.

Lashing out at an adult is one thing, but physically hurting a child is something else.

“I find myself hitting them when I was separating with their father because I could not hit him,” stated another lady anonymously.

Frustration at your partner, fatigue from work and stress are some feelings that can trigger and amplify anger. Unless parents are able to keep those feelings in check, children are likely to become the punching bags.

This is the reason why the National Council for Children (NCC) is encouraging healthy communication in the family.

At the request of several individuals and upon referrals from various agencies such as the family tribunal, a group of parents attended an anger management session at NCC’s base at Bel Eau.

“The session provided parents with tools to deal with anger so that they do not get to the point of hurting another person verbally and physically,” states Fatma Bibi, the training coordinator of the non-governmental organisation.

“Parents must learn to respond to situations instead of reacting on impulse,” she added.

Reacting is defined as quick and impulsive response which includes yelling, screaming, insulting and fighting.

Response on the other hand is when parents take time to think, talk about the situation or simply walk away. 

Finally, being happy as an individual also helps to eliminate all the negative feelings that can amplify anger. So, create your own happiness and enjoy life.

If all fails, parents can call the NCC on 4293400 to attend a parenting or anger management session.

Contributed by NCC