Alex's Answer

Thank you for getting in touch with us at Ask Alex today. It sounds like your mum might have yelled at you for trying your best on a test, is that right?

 

When someone yells at us, it can bring up a whole range of emotions—such as feeling scared, embarrassed, upset, hurt, or angry. Have you experienced any of those? It’s completely understandable that you might be feeling a mix of emotions after what happened. When someone raises their voice at us, it can feel like an attack or as if we did something wrong, even when we haven’t. It seems like you gave your best effort on the test you had to take.

 

We’re not sure about your usual relationship with your mother or if something like this has occurred before. Sometimes parents might be dealing with a lot, which can affect their reactions or cause them to raise their voices in stressful situations. However, this doesn’t justify your mother shouting at you. If your relationship is usually positive, have you considered having a conversation with your mother about how her shouting made you feel? We’d recommend choosing a time when both of you are relaxed and not preoccupied with other matters. You have the right to express how her actions affected you, but only if you’re comfortable doing so.

 

On the other hand, if this is a recurring issue, we’d be concerned to hear that. You should know that your mother doesn’t have the right to shout at you, especially when you’re giving your best effort. Do you have any other family members with whom you’d feel comfortable discussing what happened with your mother? They might provide you with a supportive space to share your feelings and help you plan your next steps.

 

It’s important to be kind to yourself while dealing with a mix of emotions and to make time for activities that bring you joy. This could involve chatting with a friend, spending time with a pet, or watching your favourite movie or show.

 

If you’d like to talk more about this in a confidential environment, Childline is always here for you. You can reach out to us through Live Chat at www.childline.ie or by phone at 1800 66 66 66. We’re available 24/7. We can talk through some options that may be available to you.

 

Take care of yourself, and please get in touch soon,

Alex