I never knew how angry I could become until I became a mom. I also didn’t know how bad I was at managing my emotions until I became a mom. One time I became so angry I threw my glasses and broke them. That was the start of processing and managing my emotions. Managing anger as a mother is a process. To be transparent it is a process I am still working on.
Being a mother is a rewarding journey filled with love, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Raising children is like looking into a magnifying mirror. You see things about yourself you may have masked or never noticed. Learning how to manage your anger will help you effectively teach your children how to regulate their emotions. I will share 6 tips that helps me regulate my emotions.
Understanding Triggers
The first step in managing anger is identifying what triggers it. Whether it’s sleep deprivation, stress, or overwhelming responsibilities, recognizing the root will help you become specific in your prayers.
Seeking God
Have you taken the time to see what God is saying about your anger? Have you given Him time to reveal the triggers? Or have you been ignoring what He has been saying? I remember a time I spanked my son and I heard the Holy Spirit ask me why I spanked him. The Holy Spirit showed me there were a lot of things I was doing out of mimick and not understanding. I was doing what I thought was right and not allowing the Holy Spirit to show me how to handle the situation.
Practicing Mindfulness
Mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing, praying in the moment, and creating a gratitude list, can significantly reduce anger. Incorporating mindfulness into your daily routines can make a world of difference in managing your emotions.
Communication
Effective communication is key in preventing conflicts that lead to anger. Instead of just screaming stop explain to your child why. Their singing can be so loud that it is causing you to overstimulate. I’ve noticed that explaining why something is bothering me, also helped my children to explain their emotions.
Set Boundaries
It is ok to set boundaries with your children. Maybe your children are no longer taking naps but they can still spend time in their room so you can have quiet time. I tell my children they are not allowed to come out of their rooms until they hear the bird sounds on their sound machine. This boundary took time and explaining on why mommy needs a break, but we are at a good place now. I explain my boundary isn’t because I do not love them, it is because space apart is healthy. It is amazing how children, even adults, can misiterperate a situation. This is why communication is so neccessary.
Self-Care
When you neglect your own needs is a good recipe for disaster. Take a moment to think of something you can do for free that makes you happy. I specially said free because I think most women would say shopping makes them happy. However, being in a one-income household, I know the dissapointment of not being able to buy something for yourself. Find something to do that does not depend on money like reading, sewing, or exercising. Prioritize your joy like you do for your family.
Managing anger as a mother is a continuous learning process that requires the Holy Spirit and the willingness to obey. With these 6 tips, you can embrace peace and navigate motherhood with patience, love, and grace. Here are two scriptures I want you to mediate on Ephesians 26-27 and Galatians 5:22-23. How do those scriptures apply to you and managing anger? In another blog I will share a few things I allow my children to do that help me with managing anger.
