The Hidden Truth of Tantrums with Helena Mooney

Compassionate Heart Parenting

Compassionate Heart Parenting
The Hidden Truth of Tantrums with Helena Mooney
Apr 23, 2026
Michelle Puster

Does your child’s yelling, crying, or intense meltdowns leave you feeling overwhelmed and unsure? In this episode, we sit down with Helena Mooney, a certified Hand in Hand and Aware Parenting coach, to flip the script on "bad behavior".

We dive deep into the science of emotional release and why "pretexts"—like a meltdown over a pink plate—are actually healthy opportunities for healing. Helena shares practical tools for reactive parenting, including the "listening partnership" for parents and why simple games like hide-and-seek are powerful for separation anxiety.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • How to "stay steady" when your child falls apart.
  • The difference between "fixing" a tantrum and providing a "safe container".
  • Why play bypasses the prefrontal cortex to help with anxiety.
  • How to use the "Connect, Connect, Connect" mantra in the heat of the moment.


Join me each week for a tail from the trenches of parenting burnout and how I (and you) can use mindfulness, mediation and self-compassion to find your inner calm and a little more sanity in your parenting.

You’ll get a story from my heart and a quick win you can use the same day.

A free gift for you: the RAGE Break, a free guided audio pause for when you are about to lose or have just lost it with your kids and you need a moment to regroup. Find the audio download in the links. I created the Rage Break because it is exactly what I needed when I was struggling with anger and yelling in parenting. 

This story was brought to you by “Yelling to Connecting.”  If you or someone you know struggles with yelling at your kids, losing it, or being constantly on edge this course will be a helpful tool. 

A reminder: This content is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for private psychotherapy services. Compassionate Heart Mindful Life does not provide psychotherapy services in any capacity.

I am a therapist but I am not your therapist and this is not therapy and should not be a substitute for mental health treatment. If you need mental health treatment please find a qualified professional in your area.

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