Why Parents Should Acknowledge Their Anger |
How Can I Manage My Anger?
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Childhood trauma can make us feel guilty or ashamed of our anger.
Naming and validating our anger ushers in calm.
Working with our anger helps our emotional lives flourish.
Toddler tantrums. Screaming teens. Work stress. Emotional labor. These are just a few things that can spark a parent's outrage. Yet societal messages can make anger seem problematic rather than temporary. Being told that anger "hurts others" or "means we have issues" can lead us to suppress the emotion. This can create more distress in the long run. Research shows that pushing down our anger can lead to symptoms of depression and anxiety. It can also make the emotion roar louder.
This is why it's important for parents to get to know their anger and understand its true purpose.
Anger is a core emotion
Anger is a core emotion that's pre-wired in the brain. Core emotions tell us what we need and what is good for us. For example, fear (another core emotion) prompts us to seek safety, while sadness tells us there's something to........