Episode #7
Maternal Rage, Mum Guilt & the Power of Repair - with Dr Caroline Boyd
What happens when the pressure to be a calm, patient, endlessly capable mother collides with the reality of modern motherhood? In this episode of Challenge Your Guilt , I’m joined by clinical psychologist, author and maternal anger specialist Dr Caroline Boyd to explore one of the most taboo and shame-filled parts of motherhood: maternal rage. We talk about why anger so often feels incompatible with being a “good mother”, why guilt and shame rush in after we snap, and why maternal anger needs to be understood in the wider context of overload, unequal responsibility, impossible expectations, sensory overwhelm and lack of support. Caroline also explains why anger can be useful information rather than something we simply need to get rid of, and why repair matters far more than getting motherhood “right” all the time. I also share a very recent moment of rage from my own motherhood, involving an extremely unrelaxing bath, a five-year-old and a slipper being thrown into the water, and what it taught me about my own need for space. In this episode, we discuss: The anger–guilt–shame cycle Why maternal anger doesn’t exist in a vacuum Mental load, overstimulation and unmet needs Why suppressing anger can make it come out sideways The importance of naming what we’re feeling How to step out of the spiral when you feel close to snapping Rupture, repair and “good enough” mothering Why we need to repair with ourselves as well as our children How movement, space and nervous system regulation can help If this episode has resonated... If this episode has made you recognise how much you’re carrying, and how often guilt, responsibility and impossible expectations are consuming the capacity you need for yourself, your work and the life you want, The Capacity Reset is my six-month 1:1 coaching programme designed to help you change that. This isn’t about becoming more productive or better at coping with too much. It’s about understanding what is draining your capacity, deciding what deserves it, and creating more space for the life and work you actually want. If you’d like to explore whether it’s right for you, you can find out more here . About Dr Caroline Boyd Dr Caroline Boyd is a clinical psychologist with more than 10 years’ experience working in the NHS and mental health settings. She supports parents from pregnancy through childbirth and beyond, offering anger courses, workshops and 1:1 therapy through her independent psychology practice, Parent Therapy Hub. She is also the author of Mindful New Mum and an Ambassador for UK perinatal mental health charity PANDAS. Website: www.drcarolineboyd.com Instagram: @_drboyd Caroline’s maternal anger course Caroline’s self-paced maternal anger course is designed to help mothers make sense of their anger and develop tools for responding to it. Course: https://dr-caroline-boyd.mykajabi.com/mr-signup-autumn-2025 Listeners of Challenge Your Guilt can use the code PODCAST to receive £100 off the course price for a limited time . Seeking further support If you’re experiencing frequent moments of anger, overwhelm, or difficult feelings that are impacting everyday life with your baby, please talk to a supportive loved one and a trusted health professional such as your GP. You can also reach out to PANDAS UK or Samaritans on 116 123 . For emergency help, call 999 or visit your local A&E department. Connect with me The Capacity Reset Challenge Your Guilt – the book Instagram If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, leave a review or share it with another mother who needs to hear it. Support the show ✨ If this episode resonated, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a mother who needs to hear that guilt was never hers to carry.
