“My son has so much anger bottled up. As a single mom, I have no idea how to deal with his outbursts. He’s even started to take it out on his little brother—sometimes getting physical with him. He’s six inches taller than me and I have no idea where to turn.”
Sure, everyone gets angry from time to time … but what do you do when it overpowers your family?

Things to Keep in Mind:

• Keeping your children safe is the most important thing. If you believe one of your children is in immediate danger—even at the hands of their sibling—contact the local authorities (police, 911).
  
  
• Help your child understand that anger is okay. It’s a normal emotion that we all experience. It’s what we do with that emotion that matters.
  
  
• Look for positive outlets for your child’s anger, such as physical activity (riding a bike, going for a run, etc.) or writing their thoughts out in a journal.
  
  
• Asking questions that begin with the word “what” (instead of “why”) can help calm a situation.

How Lifeline Can Help:

• Home-Based Services – We bring help to you. One of our caring staff will meet with you and your family in your own home to talk about the problems and map out some real solutions.
  
  
• Residential Care – In more serious situations, we have group homes to temporarily care for children who are in a crisis situation or who need a “wake-up” call.
  
  
• Responsible Thinking Classes – Join a class with other parents who are dealing with similar issues. Together you’ll learn about the thought patterns that may be tripping your family up—and more importantly, how to combat them.

Other Resources:

• Anger in Younger Children