Read an Excerpt
Being Mad
A Book about Anger
By Molly Wigand, Anne FitzGerald Abbey Press
Copyright © 2012 Molly Wigand
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4976-8123-1
CHAPTER 1
All about you!
You are a one-of-a-kind kid. God made you that way, and He loves every part of you. You have your own special face. You have your own special body. And you have your own special feelings. One of those feelings is anger.
What happens when you're angry?
Anger can be scary. Your heart beats faster. Your face may turn red. You may get all sweaty, or shaky, or even dizzy. Your stomach might hurt. Being angry is a normal part of life. But it's not fun to feel that way.
Why do we get angry?
Your anger lets you know when something is bothering you.
Has anyone ever taken your toy or borrowed your bike without asking? Maybe anger helped you stick up for yourself.
Sometimes your mom gets angry if you don't do your chores. That's normal, too.
Just keep trying!
It's okay to be angry. Everybody gets angry.
Learning to deal with anger makes you a happier person. It's like learning to read or ride a bike.
Keep practicing and pretty soon you'll be super good at it.
Easy as 1, 2, 3!
Try these three steps to help the angry feelings go away:
1. Count down backwards from 10 to 1.
2. Figure out why you're angry.
3. Tell someone how you feel.
Count down to calm!
Let's practice being angry.
Pretend it's Saturday. Your mom wants you to do your chores. She won't let you play outside. Your friends are all playing, and you are feeling mad.
Take a deep breath in and out. Then count backwards from 10.
Think about it!
Why are you mad?
Say these words to yourself: "I really want to play outside. I don't like doing chores. Saturdays are for fun! I am very angry! This isn't fair!"
Are you starting to feel better?
Talk about it!
Now it's time to share your feelings.
Holding in angry feelings makes them bigger. It can even make you sick.
Here's a good way to share your angry feelings. Say this: "Mom, I feel angry when you make me do chores on Saturday."
Take time to listen.
You've told your mom that you are angry and why. Now she understands how you feel. Listen to what she has to say. You can work this out together.
Practice using this special sentence. Use it with friends, family, and teachers.
I feel angry when you __________.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Being Mad by Molly Wigand, Anne FitzGerald. Copyright © 2012 Molly Wigand. Excerpted by permission of Abbey Press.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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