Why You Snapped (And What to Do About It): A Real Talk on Mom Emotions

Let’s be honest: motherhood brings out the best in us—and sometimes the most overwhelmed, reactive version of us too.

Maybe it was the spilled cereal, the tantrum in Target, or just the constant noise that finally pushed you over the edge. You snapped. You yelled. You shut down. And now you're swimming in guilt.

Let me say this clearly: You’re not a bad mom. You’re a human mom.

What’s Really Going On When You “Lose It”

When you feel triggered, your nervous system is sounding the alarm. Your body shifts into fight, flight, or freeze mode—your brain genuinely thinks you’re in danger. Even if the "danger" is two kids arguing over Goldfish crackers.

This isn’t about willpower or being more “mindful.” It’s about recognizing that parenting is emotionally demanding—and often relentless.

The Pressure Cooker

Moms are under enormous pressure: to stay calm, be productive, look presentable, keep the kids alive, manage a home, and maybe have a career or personal life in there somewhere.

Maternal mental load is real and it’s heavy. And emotional regulation isn’t about never losing your cool. It’s about learning how to notice when you’re approaching your limit and building in ways to reset before it boils over.

Three Quick Reset Tools (That Actually Work)

1. Micro-breaks matterEven 60 seconds of stepping outside or locking yourself in the bathroom for three deep breaths can reset your system.

2. Name it to tame itA term coined by Dr. Dan Siegel, this approach helps you calm the brain by identifying emotions. Say to yourself (or out loud): “I’m feeling overwhelmed.” Naming the emotion helps shift it from the panic center of the brain to the thinking part.

3. Repair is powerfulWhen you do snap, go back and make a repair. Research shows that repairing a rupture builds emotional safety and trust. You might say: “I got really frustrated and raised my voice. I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve that.”

You Deserve Support

If emotional regulation feels hard right now, you’re not alone. Therapy for moms can be a space to unpack the overwhelm, build strategies, and reconnect with the version of you that feels grounded.

If you’re a mom who’s feeling stretched thin, I offer a safe, down-to-earth space to talk through it. You don’t have to hold it all together alone.

👉 Start therapy with me — online sessions available in Virginia

👉 Check out my Psychology Today profile

👉 Follow me on Facebook for weekly parenting reflections

Relevant blogs:

You Don't Have To Love Every Minute: Real Talk For Moms

SPACE Therapy for Kids and Adolescents: A Parent-Led Approach To Anxiety Treatment

Agoraphobia and Stay-at-Home Moms: When Home Becomes a Cage

If you are looking for family counseling, Mary Willoughby Prentiss is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Virginia who provides online therapy for Willow Tree Healing Center. She enjoys transforming the lives of women, college students, kids, tweens/teens, and families through providing communication strategies, coping skills that work, allowing a safe space to be heard, and actively working towards helping you with your challenges. She is certified in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (ages 2-7) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, counsels substance abuse in teens and adults, and practices Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy.