Yelling became the default form of communication between me and my kids. Change was hard, but we're in a much better place now.

Years later, I found myself doing exactly what I swore I wouldn't: yelling to get my kids to listen. With my firstborn son, I was much gentler. I had my struggles, but my anger was mostly in check.

Before I had kids, I used to judge moms who yelled at their children in public. I thought I would be different, the kind of parent who never raised her voice. Years later, I found myself doing exactly ...