Ever feel like you're about to completely lose it with your kids? In this episode, I'm sharing a game-changing reframe that's helped me and dozens of mamas in our community understand what's really happening when we get triggered - and what to do about it. Spoiler alert: it involves comparing being angry to being drunk, and it might just change everything for you.
What You'll Learn:
Why anger gets bigger and faster as we approach perimenopause (and what to do about it)
The powerful reframe that compares being triggered to being intoxicated
What's actually happening in your brain when you lose it with your kids
Why anger is really a messenger from your body about unmet needs
The one thing you absolutely MUST do when you're triggered (hint: it's not breathing exercises)
How to teach your kids this same framework for managing their big emotions
Why you don't actually need to discipline in the moment (and why waiting is better)
Key Takeaways:
🧠 The Science Behind Getting Triggered: When we're angry, our amygdala (the emotional brain) takes over and our prefrontal cortex (the thinking brain) goes offline - just like when someone is intoxicated. This is why we say and do things we regret later.
💡 Anger as Messenger: Your anger is an indicator that you have a need that isn't being met. If you don't listen to this message and address the underlying need, the anger just gets louder.
⏸️ The Power of the Pause: Just like you wouldn't drive drunk, don't make parenting decisions when you're triggered. Take a break, let the anger pass, then address the situation from a calm place.
👶 Teaching Kids This Framework: Children aren't dogs - you can absolutely have important conversations later. Teaching them that "we don't talk when we're angry" is actually a beautiful life skill.
Quotes from This Episode:
"I've come to understand that my anger is actually a messenger from my body. It's an indicator that I have a need that isn't being met. And if I don't listen to it by getting that need met, it just gets louder."
"I'm wise enough to know that I'm under the influence of anger right now, and having an important conversation is not an option."
"You don't have to be the zen mama who never gets triggered. You just need to be a mama who knows what to do when you DO get triggered."
Resources Mentioned:
🎧 Last Week's Episode: "Our Changing Bodies and Brains" with Dyna Vink - all about how perimenopause affects our emotional regulation
🌅 Release and Letting Go Retreat: October 10-11, 2025 - Deep dive into nervous system work and emotional release practices- IsabelleBridges.com/retreat
💜 The Mother's Empowerment Sisterhood: Our membership community where we put the ME back in Mommy through 12 monthly themes, weekly circles, and sisterhood support
Join the waitlist anytime at isabellebridges.com/membership
🎁 Free Resource: The Pressure Relief Kit - Tools for when you're feeling overwhelmed
Download at isabellebridges.com/pressure-relief-kit-2
Connect with Isabelle:
Website: isabellebridges.com
Instagram: @isabellebridgesboesch
Email: isabelle@isabellebridges.com
A Personal Note from Isabelle:
Sister, if you're listening to this and feeling seen - if you're realizing you're not broken or a bad mom, you're just human with a nervous system that's trying to protect you - please know that you're exactly where you need to be.
This work of understanding our triggers, meeting our needs, and learning to work WITH our emotions instead of against them? It's not just about becoming a better parent. It's about reclaiming yourself, honoring your humanity, and modeling emotional intelligence for your children.
You've got this, mama. And you don't have to do it alone.
Next Week:
We're diving into the topic of food guilt and how to transform it into empowered choice-making. You won't want to miss it!
Love this episode? Please leave a review and share it with a mama friend who needs to hear this message. Your support helps us reach more mothers who are ready to put the ME back in Mommy.
#MothersEmpowerment #ConsciousParenting #AngerManagement #NervousSystemHealing #MomLife #Perimenopause #EmotionalRegulation #ParentingTips
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