Releasing Mom Rage: Tina Hamilton's Strategies for Healing Emotional Triggers

Parenting

Jun 3

Takeaway: Normalizing and understanding the roots of mom rage through inner child healing work can help break the cycle of emotionally triggered parenting outbursts.

As mothers, we've all experienced the intense, overwhelming feeling of rage that bubbles up unexpectedly, leaving us screaming and yelling at our children, only to be consumed by guilt and shame afterward. This phenomenon, known as "mom rage," is a common struggle that many women face, but there are strategies to help us understand and process these powerful emotions.

Hi, I'm Justine Carino, a therapist in Westchester. In a recent episode of my "Thought From The Couch" podcast, I interviewed Tina Hamilton, an inner child healing coach and mom of two, to explore the root causes of mom rage and provide actionable tips for breaking free from these emotionally triggered patterns.

Defining Mom Rage

Mom rage is the overflow of unprocessed anger and emotions. While anger is a normal human emotion, when you fail to acknowledge and process it, it can escalate into an uncontrollable rage. Think of it like a cup of water, with each frustration throughout the day adding a little more until it eventually overflows.

Common Triggers

There are two main categories of triggers: external and internal. External triggers include lack of time for yourself, sleep deprivation, lack of support, feeling overwhelmed or criticized, and the never-ending to-do list. Internal triggers, on the other hand, stem from unresolved childhood traumas, negative self-talk, and a lack of emotional awareness.

The Power of Inner Child Healing

Inner child healing involves building awareness of physical sensations, mental chatter, environmental factors, and emotional states. By recognizing and naming these emotions, you can begin to understand the subconscious programming behind our triggers.

It’s important to explore your inner child through meditation and somatic breathing exercises, uncovering the root causes of your anger and identifying the pivotal moments that shaped your emotional responses.

Normalizing Anger

One of the key strategies for breaking the cycle of mom rage is to normalize anger. By acknowledging and vocalizing these feelings to friends, partners, or therapists, you reduce the shame and isolation that often accompany them. Recognizing that anger is a messenger carrying valuable information about your values and boundaries can empower you to make positive changes.

Finding Balance

While letting go of control is crucial, it’s also critical to set boundaries. By identifying the core values behind certain expectations, such as keeping a tidy home, you can find a balance between letting go and establishing reasonable limits that align with your needs.

If you're struggling with mom rage, you're not alone, and these techniques are a great place to start. If you’re looking for a little more support, you can see the full conversation here, or work with me directly.

Connect with Tina Hamilton at healingparent.com or @healingparentcoach on Instagram to learn more about her transformative work and begin your journey toward healing.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Justine Carino

Justine is a licensed mental health counselor with a private practice in White Plains, NY. She helps teenagers, young adults and families struggling with anxiety, depression, family conflict and relationship issues. Justine is also the host of the podcast Thoughts From the Couch.