Anger is a natural emotion during an uncontested divorce, and at times it can seem like you're just going to blow your lid. Now there is a new style of anger management available for those times when you just need to blow off some steam. The Tantrum Club offers a unique way to release some of that pent-up anger.
Too often we receive the cultural message that it's not polite to show your anger. Founder Adele Theron, at the age of thirty-five, launched a way to express anger in a healthy and acceptable way. This former management consultant found a new career in cognitive behavior therapy where she is helping divorcing females move through their anger.
The support group is based on the belief that one cannot just logically get rid of anger. Theron works off the premise that anger needs to be released in a safe and supportive environment.
Participants range from teenagers dealing with uncontested divorces to women who are in their eighties. Her toolkit is more than just about randomly yelling. There are structured activities to help females move through their anger and heal emotionally. One activity has women working in pairs. One female holds an imaginary bucket while the other woman purges her anger into the pail.
There is also an opportunity to be on a stage in front of other women and publicly let go of some anger. Another activity is about shaking, moving and wailing. This release activity has its roots in her South African background.
Another popular activity includes balloons. Women blow up their balloons and then write on them- many have a variety of insults scrawled across them. Afterwards, women take a large needle and burst the balloon.
The pillow activity can feel silly for first timers. One grabs a pillow and screams into it. Participants have stated they feel quite satisfied at the end.
The hour-long support meetings end with baseball bats. Women grab bats and started beating a pile of bean bags. A lot of emotion is released and women have been known to break their bats, unintentionally, during this activity.
Good news, the group is free. You have to be at least sixteen to participate. Unfortunately, the club has not gone international and its home base is in the United Kingdom. If you are looking for a way to blow off some of that uncontested divorce steam, you may want try some of these activities on your own. They may be useful before negotiating your marital settlement agreement with your spouse.
