“Is That Me Yelling? A parents guide to getting your kids to cooperate without losing your cool”  was published in 2013 and is available in 5 different languages. It’s a best seller in China, but here in the US you can only get it now on Kindle until the next edition.

If you would like to set up a presentation or training for your child’s preschool or your workplace, you can contact me at . 

Is That Me Yelling? is:

“Engaging and practical, humorous and evidence-based, prescriptive but not preachy, authoritative yet never stuffy, Is That Me Yelling? quickly rises to the top of the many parenting books I’ve ever read. Rona Renner provides thoughtful and achievable solutions. If you’re a parent who has ever yelled at your kid and wished you hadn’t, this book is for you.”
—Stephen P. Hinshaw, PhD, professor in the department of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley; and vice-chair of psychology at the University of California, S.F.

“Is That Me Yelling? is a complete and compassionate companion for every parent and educator. With excellent examples from her extensive professional and personal experience, nurse Rona illustrates fundamental psychological principles and functional parenting practices with empathy and enthusiasm.”
—Marisol Muñoz-Kiehne, PhD, clinical psychologist, parent educator, radio host, and author.

Bad Baby on This American Life

This is Gonna Hurt Me a Lot More than It’s Gonna Hurt You.

Friends suggested I listen to the NPR show (March 2014), This American Life, to see what I think about parents who suffered while raising really challenging children.

The one I want to comment on is Act Four. Producer Sean Cole tells the story of a former foster kid who was finally adopted in his mid-30’s, and the reason he was taken away from the foster family he loved more than 20 years ago.

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/521/bad-baby?act=4#play

The story is about Lisa and Charles Harris who had biological children and decided to become foster parents. They wanted to adopt a boy named Maurice, but something happened that caused great suffering for all of them.

Lisa and Charles valued spanking  as a form of discipline for their children, but couldn’t spank Maurice since it’s against California Law for foster parents to spank. Maurice wanted to be spanked so that he could be like the other boys in the family. Both parents felt strongly that it was important to spank children (especially boys) to help him make it in the world.  read more…

Start Your Day With “Joe Reilly – Breathing”

Joe Reilly offers us a wonderful way to remember how to come back to ourselves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggMMLZZDFKc&app=desktop

Play this song alone or with your kids.

If you feel like you are getting stressed and might start to yell, just turn this song on and do the A-B-C-D-Es of not yelling.

  • A = “Ask yourself what you are feeling and thinking.”
  • B = “Become aware of your breathing.
  • C = “Calm down before you discipline.”
  • D = “Decide what your child needs.”
  • E = “Empathize with what is going on with your child.”

The emphasis of A-B-C-D-E is to take your time before you discipline. 

This concept is explained in detail in Chapter 6 of my book, “Is That Me Yelling.” You can get a copy May 1, 2014. But for now you can read chapter one at https://www.nurserona.com/is-that-me-yelling/

There is so much we can learn from each other!

Remember to Pause

I was so grateful to be able to sit with a group of parents at Parents Place in S.F.  to speak honestly about the daily challenges they have juggling work, children, and time to refuel. Yelling is one way parents express their stress and frustrations, their exhaustion, and sometimes their isolation. Regular yelling is not good for children. They are bound to think they are “bad” and not understand why mommy or daddy are so angry at them. It doesn’t help them learn to solve problems. The word to remember is “PAUSE.” Take a few breaths, calm yourself, and think about what your child needs in the moment. Take a few minutes to sense your body and calm your mind. It will lead to a happier and healthier life—something you deserve.

“Was That Me Yelling” presentation on 11/6/13 6:30-8:30PM. To register and find out more got to: http://www.parentsplaceonline.org/san-francisco/classes/yelling