Fifteen years ago, this column covered yelling in a series of articles. Since then, research has shown that yelling is emotionally damaging to children. The new school year brings the usual increase in stress and schedule on the family unit, so I’m revisiting the topic on the ever-growing problem of voice management.

Q.“I don’t believe in spanking my children, but I do find that I yell at them a lot when I get frustrated. The result is that now my children yell, too — at me, at each other, at the dog. I don’t like this pattern, but I don’t know how to stop it. Any suggestions?”

When you discipline your children, do you sound like the kind of person you really want to be?

Yelling is a bad habit, and like any habit, it’s not going to disappear overnight. With diligent effort, however, your household can be calmer and quieter.

Tips from parents include whispering, humor and relaxation technique.