Responding To Reactive Anger

Are you tired of feeling guilty every time you get angry as a parent? What if your anger actually contains valuable information about what needs to change in your family systems?   Most parental anger management approaches treat all anger the same way - as a problem that requires control. But research shows there are actually two distinct types of parental anger, and understanding this difference changes everything about how you respond. Instead of suppressing your emotions or exploding at your kids, you can learn to use your anger constructively to create positive change for your family.   In this episode, you'll discover why traditional anger control methods often backfire and learn a practical framework for responding to your anger in ways that honor both your emotional experience and your family's wellbeing. You'll understand when your anger is pointing to legitimate systemic problems versus when it's signaling you've hit your personal limits.  

Questions this episode will answer

Why do I get so angry as a parent? Parental anger often emerges when core values around fairness, respect, or safety are violated, or when you're overwhelmed and basic needs aren't being met.   What are the two types of anger parents experience? Values-Aligned Anger carries information about legitimate concerns and aims for positive change, while Reactive Anger emerges from overwhelm, triggers, or unmet basic needs.   How can I control my anger with my child? The HEAR method (Halt, Empathize, Acknowledge, Respond) provides a framework for responding to anger constructively rather than suppressing or exploding.   How does parental anger affect children? When parents model constructive anger responses, children learn that emotions can fuel positive change rather than destruction, and that their voices matter.   How do I deal with parental anger issues? Understanding whether your anger is Values-Aligned (requiring systemic changes) or Reactive (requiring self-care and healing) determines the most effective response strategy.   What are the symptoms of parental rage? Reactive anger typically comes suddenly with surprising intensity, seems disproportionate to triggers, and leaves you drained, while Values-Aligned anger builds gradually and energizes you toward solutions.  

What you'll learn in this episode

• Why emotional suppression techniques often backfire and create "emotional rebound" effects
• How to distinguish between Values-Aligned Anger (pointing to systemic problems) and Reactive Anger (signaling overwhelm or triggers)
• The HEAR method for responding to anger constructively while maintaining family connection
• Practical strategies for addressing the mental load and inequitable parenting responsibilities
• How to model healthy anger responses that teach children their emotions have value
• When to focus on systemic changes versus personal healing and self-care
• Why your anger about impossible parenting standards reflects legitimate concerns about family-unfriendly systems
• How to break the Anger-Guilt Cycle that keeps parents stuck in suppression and explosion patterns

 

Ready to dig deeper into your triggered reactions?

If you find yourself experiencing a lot of Reactive Anger - the kind that seems to come from past triggers or overwhelming stress - our Taming Your Triggers workshop can help. This 10-week program gives you tools for staying regulated and connected with your children even in challenging moments, including how to address the root causes of triggered reactions.   When you understand and heal the experiences from your own childhood that keep showing up in your parenting today, you can respond to your children from a calm, connected place instead of getting hijacked by old wounds.   Join the waitlist and we'll let you know when doors reopen. Click the banner to learn more!     Jump to highlights 01:53 Introduction to today’s episode 03:50 Research shows that common anger management advice like breathing exercises and staying calm actually backfires, creating an emotional rebound that makes anger worse 05:40 A comprehensive research review by Richard and colleagues examined 46 studies on anger and found that anger serves important functions in our cognitive and emotional systems 06:07 The first type of anger, which is the Lordian Rage, according to Philosopher Myisha Cherry, but other researchers call it values-aligned anger or moral anger 07:50 The second type of anger is the reactive anger, and it emerges from overwhelm from past triggers getting activated or from basic needs that are not being met 09:10 You have to look at your own history and situation to know what kind of anger you’re dealing with 12:15 Both types of anger contain important information, but they're most effectively addressed with quite different responses. Jen has created a HEAR method: H for halt, E for empathize, A for acknowledge, and R for respond, which can be used when the anger is already building up 21:02 When you feel angry about shouldering a disproportionate share of family responsibilities, your anger reflects broader cultural patterns where domestic labor continues to fall more heavily on women 23:42 Ideas that can be gained from the discussion 24:40 An open invitation for the Taming Your Triggers workshop