THINK!!
Take time to ask yourself what you want and/or need.
Rip up old newspapers/magazines/phonebooks/sheets/rags and throw them out.
Stomp out of the house and walk briskly, swinging your arms until anger dissolves. DO NOT LEAVE YOUNG CHILDREN ALONE.
Punch a bean bag chair/pillow/punching bag.
Say, "I'm going to scream for two minutes." Then do it. Make angry sounds.
Open the linen closet door, whip the towels out and throw them across the room. Whip out the dirty laundry instead and eliminate folding clothes again!
Throw a basketball in a hoop or against the house.
Shout, "I'm sooooo angry."
Count to 10 (or 20) in a loud angry voice.
Do an angry dance (don't forget your war whoop!).
Throw snowballs at a tree.
Whip marshmallows into the sink and yell a karate-type yell as you throw.
Take a shower to wash negative feelings away. Scream in the shower!
Pile up pillows and smash them with a tennis racket using your whole body.
Pound on a mattress.
Put a pillow up to the wall and hit it (saves broken hands and wall but still gets the adrenalin out).
Kick into pillows piled against a wall.
Blow into a paper bag and then pop it.
Play angry notes on the piano.
Pull weeds with vigor, saying, "I'm soooo mad!" with each pull.
Take a bucket of water and a big brush. Pretend the water is paint and paint the car/ house with huge brush strokes.
Throw rocks into a lake, river, puddle.
Wrap your arms around yourself and give yourself a big hug. Tell yourself nice things.
Throw velcro balls at a target.
Squeeze playdough/clay.
Wash a sinkful of dishes in hot (not scalding) water. Make lots of bubbles.
Turn on music and exercise anger and pounds/inches away.
Call the Parents Anonymous parent leader, facilitator or help lines if nothing else works.
Make your own additions to this list.
Remember, children need to find good ways to express their anger so let them try some of the above or work out other ways they can show their anger.

© 1995 Illinois Parents Anonymous