Child's hand holding little finger of adult's hand

You Knew Better — So Why Did You Still Snap?

Repair, Not Perfection
July 28, 2025•2 min read

You read the books. You did the work. You knew better.
So why did you still end up shouting?

In this episode, we’re talking about the truth behind those moments no one wants to admit — the ones where you snap, yell, shut down, or walk away… even though you had every intention of being calm.

You’ll hear:

  • A raw story of rupture — including what happened when Emma’s child bit her and didn’t let go.

  • Why your most reactive moments aren’t signs of failure — but feedback from your nervous system.

  • How parenting a neurodivergent or emotionally intense child changes the rules (and why it’s not your fault).

  • A gentle reframe that shows how repair — not perfection — is what builds safety.

  • A reminder you can carry into the next meltdown:

    “We fell apart. We came back. We’re still here.”

Whether your child explodes like a volcano or disappears behind an impenetrable wall — this one’s for you.

🧠 Mentioned in the Episode:

  • What it means to “narrate their own tantrum” (and why it’s weirdly hard to stay calm through it)

  • The nervous system's role in emotional outbursts — for both child and parent

  • A family-friendly debriefing process that still works now Emma’s child is a teen

💬 Leave a Comment or DM:

Have you ever snapped and felt ashamed afterwards? What helped you come back?
I’d love to hear your story — share on Instagram or message me directly. You’re not alone.

Links mentioned:
🧭 FREE GUIDE: 5 Tiny Shifts to Help Your Child Feel Safer — Without Losing Your Calm or Your Confidence

Leave a Review:
If this episode resonated with you, I’d love if you shared it with someone who needs it — or left a quick review. Your words help others find the support they deserve.

Parent guiltEmotional regulation for mumsGentle parenting ruptureRepair in parentingNeurodivergent parenting meltdownWhy mums snapParenting perfectionismRepair after shoutingGentle parenting shameConnection compass parenting
Understanding people has always been a passion of mine, and becoming a parent made that understanding even more real. My counselling training helped me explore the emotional challenges of parenting — not perfectly, but with more presence, compassion, and clarity. Now I run a social enterprise supporting families through group work, counselling, and digital learning.

Emma Reed

Understanding people has always been a passion of mine, and becoming a parent made that understanding even more real. My counselling training helped me explore the emotional challenges of parenting — not perfectly, but with more presence, compassion, and clarity. Now I run a social enterprise supporting families through group work, counselling, and digital learning.

Back to Blog