Episode 136: Anger & Lethal Weapon

Every parent knows the feeling. Your kid goes from zero to meltdown in seconds, over something that seems completely trivial. In this episode we use Lethal Weapon as our jumping-off point to explore what's actually happening in a child's brain when anger takes over. We talk about why children's brains are wired to detect and react to emotional triggers before they're wired to interpret them, why telling a young child to "just calm down" is often a developmental mismatch rather than a discipline problem, and why feeling angry and acting aggressively are actually two separate events, which is more hopeful than it sounds. We also explore what the science tells us actually helps when supporting an angry child. We can't wait to read your reflections, questions and advice about anger in the kids you love and care for. Pop Culture Parenting is created by Guiding Growing Minds, a social enterprise dedicated to changing the future of our kids. Want to support our work and access more content? Become a member of our Patreon community Follow PCP on Instagram Send insights, questions or reflections about this episode to [email protected] Interested in partnering with us? Send us an email to [email protected] Thanks for being a part of the beautiful PCP community! Pop Culture Parenting provides general information, stories, and discussions about parenting and child development. The information shared on this show, and advice from hosts, is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or therapeutic intervention. Every child and family is unique. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation. If you’re in crisis or need immediate support, we encourage you to reach out to a mental health service in your area. You can find a list of services at https://raisingchildren.net.au/.