When Motherhood Cracks You Open: Healing the Inner World That Shapes How We Parent

*Guest:* Dr. Angele Close of Unburdening Motherhood

The Livin’Sky Podcast, Season 3 Episode 9

Unburdening Motherhood: Healing Your Inner World to Support Your Child with Dr. Angele Close

Dr. Angele Close is a clinical psychologist, author, and mother of three who helps mothers heal old wounds, break generational cycles, and feel more grounded and confident in motherhood. Her work integrates Internal Family Systems, nervous system awareness, and maternal mental health. Her upcoming book, Unburdening Motherhood, will be released January 27, 2026.

When Motherhood Cracks You Open: Healing the Inner World That Shapes How We Parent

Motherhood doesn’t just change our schedules, it changes us.

For many moms, parenting brings up reactions, emotions, and patterns we didn’t know were still there. We may find ourselves more reactive, overwhelmed, or questioning why something that feels so important also feels so hard.

In a recent episode of The Livin’Sky Podcast, I sat down with clinical psychologist and author Dr. Angele Close to talk about why this happens and what actually helps.

SPOTIFY | A PPLE

Becoming a Mother Cracked Her Open

Angele shared how becoming a mother cracked her open in unexpected ways. Despite years of clinical training, parenting activated emotional responses she did not expect, especially when her children began pushing boundaries or struggling with regulation. This experience led her to Internal Family Systems, a model that helps us understand the different parts within us that are trying to manage stress, protect us, or soothe discomfort.

One of the most important reminders from our conversation was this. Our reactions are not failures. They are signals.

When a child refuses food, melts down, or pushes back, it often activates a parent’s own nervous system. Many of us carry unconscious beliefs about what it means to be a good mom. When those beliefs feel threatened, our bodies respond with urgency, control, or shutdown.

This is especially true with picky eating. When mealtimes feel stressful, it is rarely just about the food. It is about safety, pressure, connection, and what is happening inside both the child and the parent.

Angele reminded us that children do not need perfect parents. They need parents who can repair, reflect, and reconnect after hard moments. Research shows that being attuned some of the time is enough to support healthy emotional development.

When we begin to care for our own inner world, something shifts. Our nervous system softens. Our reactions slow down. Our children feel it. Calm, safety, and connection ripple through the home.

If motherhood has left you feeling depleted or questioning yourself, this episode is a gentle invitation to look inward with compassion and to remember that healing often starts within.

You can listen to the full episode of The Livin’Sky Podcast to hear the complete conversation with Dr. Angele Close.

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