McCraith - Yell Less, Love More: How the Orange Rhino Mom Stopped Yelling at Her Kids - and How You Can Too!: A 30-Day Guide That Includes: - 100 Alternatives to ... Steps to Follow - Honest Stories to Inspire

For my husband and my boysbecause without your love and encouragement, without you inspiring me daily to be the best I can be, I would still be a gray rhino.

With wisdom and humor, Sheila quickly becomes an encouraging friend and mentor who gently teaches you how to manage your frustrations while building your self-confidence. Youll have fun reading this ultimate self-help book and will find yourself turning to it for love, support, and guidance when you fear you may be losing ground.

Laura Deutsch, co-founder of Mommybites (mommybites.com)

I loved every word of this book. Sheilas advice is honest, humorous, and most important, effective! As a clinical social worker and a mother of two young daughters, I highly recommend Yell Less, Love More both personally and professionally.

Carla Naumburg, Ph.D., author of Parenting in the Present Moment

Yell Less, Love More is a quick-witted and lighthearted read written by a mom who has been there and isnt afraid to bare all, from her fist-pumping wins to her most embarrassing lows. Sheila doesnt sugarcoat or finger wag, she walks with you. I finished the book with an overwhelming feeling that I can do this; I can yell less and show my kids that love is what I have for them. This book is how were all going to get theresanity, humor, and heart all intact.

Galit Breen, blogger, writer, mama of three, and converted yeller

An absolute MUST-read for all parents. Sheilas friendly, honest voice is like a dear friend helping you through and cheering you on!

Melissa Kaye, co-founder of Mommy Business (mommybusiness.net)

This book is a lifeline to regain hold of your sanity and help you stop yelling at your children. With Sheilas practical and doable ideas you can uncover the calm and caring parent you always hoped youd be. She doesnt make you feel guilty; she empowers you and shows you how anyone can start from today and truly yell less and love more.

Alissa Marquess, founder/editor of CreativeWithKids.com

2014 Fair Winds Press

Text 2014 Sheila McCraith

THE ORANGE RHINO, THE ORANGE RHINO CHALLENGE, and the orange rhinoceros with pink birds design are registered trademarks of The Orange Rhino LLC.

First published in the USA in 2014 by

Fair Winds Press, a member of

Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.

100 Cummings Center

Suite 406-L

Beverly, MA 01915-6101

www.fairwindspress.com

Visit www.bodymindbeautyhealth.com. Its your personal guide to a happy, healthy, and extraordinary life!

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

Digital edition published in 2014

Digital edition: 978-1-62788-177-7
Softcover edition: 978-1-59233-633-3

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available

Cover and book design by Carol Holtz

Page layout by tabula rasa graphic design

Photography by Christine DeSavino

The information in this book is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice of a physician or medical practitioner. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions or concerns. Any reliance on any information provided here within is solely at the users discretion and risk.

A 30-Day Guide That Includes
100 Alternatives to Yelling Simple, Daily Steps to Follow Honest Stories to Inspire

How The Orange Rhino Mom Stopped Yelling at Her Kidsand How You Can Too!

Sheila McCraith

Creator of The Orange Rhino Challenge

Gray Rhinos: Tenacious and vigorous animals who are naturally peaceful, but display aggressive behavior and charge when provoked.

Orange Rhinos: Determined and energetic people who choose not to charge with words, but to remain calm, loving, and warm when provoked or triggered.

I am a mom to four wonderful boys: James, Edward, Andrew, and Mac. I am not a professional in any field related to the topics covered in this book. The only Ph.D. I have is that I am a Parent (who) Has (the) Determination to yell less and love more.

I am a recovering yeller.

I used to crawl into bed at night crying to my husband that I ruined yet another bedtime by yelling incessantly at my boys to hurry up, stop fighting, and just get in bed, already! I would try and shrug off the intense guilt and pain I felt from my horrific behavior so I could fall asleep, but I would inevitably just stay awake thinking about how awful I felt as a person, as a parent. I would stay awake thinking, How, oh how, did I ever get to this point where it feels like all I do is yell? How have I become this person? I never dreamed Id be a yelling mom, and yet here I am. I wasnt yelled at. I rarely yell at anyone else. So why, oh why, am I yelling at my kids nonstop? I love them so much. What is wrong with me? No one else I know yells at their kids. What, oh what, is wrong with me?

I had this inner dialogue with myself for a good several nights a week for months. It was a horrendous dialogue to have so regularly, but I couldnt escape it. I could only hide it. I feared judgment, isolation, and embarrassment if I shared my struggles, so I kept them to my husband and myself. The result? I felt incredibly alone, like I was the only person who struggled with yelling. I felt incredibly ashamed because no one I knew talked about struggling with yelling. I felt incredibly nervous because I had no idea how to stop my struggle with yelling.

As time passed, the gut-wrenching guilt in my stomach started lasting longer than a few hours at night and my boys tears and responses started tearing into my heart deeper and deeper. I knew that yelling hurts my kids, that it scares my kids, that it shames my kids, and that it does anything but show my love for my kids. And even though I knew that I wanted to change, I couldnt find the resolve, the courage, or the determination to fully seek change.

Until January 20, 2012, that isthe day that ultimately led to the beginning of a new relationship with my boys, my husband, my life, and myself.