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She's Gonna Blow!: Real Help for Moms Dealing with Anger

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Tens of thousands of moms who struggle with anger have found hope, laughter, understanding, and biblical counsel in She's Gonna Blow! With over 100,000 in print, this bestseller now has a fresh cover and a new practical helps section with more resources and step-by-step advice. Gary Chapman, author of The Five Love Languages of Children, tells readers that Julie Ann Barnhill "has learned from her journey, and so will you...You'll identify with Julie's open, honest approach." Straightforward and easy-to-read, She's Gonna Blow! is for every mom seeking here-and-now hope and help to...

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

77 people are currently reading
425 people want to read

About the author

Julie Ann Barnhill

18 books16 followers

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5 stars
202 (41%)
4 stars
156 (31%)
3 stars
93 (18%)
2 stars
33 (6%)
1 star
6 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
Profile Image for Emily.
682 reviews36 followers
January 4, 2009
Having this book on my to-read list felt like a confession, but if you know me then you probably already knew I get irritated, annoyed and yes-even angry at my kids sometimes. It was a fabulous book that was honest, thought-provoking, and helpful. It was even funny sometimes because of the authors stories. The author and I don't share the exact same faith but it was very religious and I appreciated the insight. Good book.
Profile Image for Becky.
26 reviews1 follower
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April 11, 2011
A quick re-read of this book was just what I needed to re-gain perspective in parenting my three children. As much as I wish I didn't need to refer to a book like this (I almost never lend it out for fear of losing track of it!), I'm thankful that the Lord can use writers like Julie Ann Barnhill to encourage and inspire moms to a better way of dealing with the frustrations of life.
53 reviews1 follower
January 6, 2025
I ran into this title in Mary Beeke’s “The Law of Kindness.”
I appreciated the analogies drawn from volcanos: always simmering on up to exploding. While I don’t agree with everything I think it is a helpful resource. It really underscores for me the principle that if one is angry they are not qualified to discipline.
Profile Image for Jenna.
80 reviews
June 4, 2019
Just admitting that I've read this book feels a little exposing, but the hard truth is that we all sin and I've never found it useful to pretend that I am perfect. 😂

This book was exactly what I needed in this season of life. Julie writes like an friend who has been in the trenches and understands that sometimes being a mom is hard. So, so very hard. She is always conversational, usually hilarious, and unafraid to be absolutely real and raw. She calls you to lean on the only one who can help us in the hard times of life. I just loved this book!!

**It is important to note that I do not agree with the author on some salvational issues. This doesn't really come up except in one anecdotal story she tells, and I still highly recommend this book, but read discerningly and remember the Bible is the only source of truth.**

Quotes:

"I was a mother thankful for her children but completely blindsided by the person she had become after motherhood."

"we have let too many voices and too many experts overload us with impossible standards of "good" motherhood - and fool us into thinking that we are personally and completely responsible for every problem in our children's lives." (And she wrote this in 2001!! 😬)

"God did not give you your son so you could fix him or with him into shape. God gave you your son to make you more like Jesus." (Obviously daughter applies here, too.)

"But our task as parents is not just to teach our children about God but to model for them, to the best of our ability, what God is like. The Bible teaches us that God is kind, slow to anger, merciful, gracious, righteous, abounding in loving kindness, a stronghold, a shield, a protector, a defender of the weak, perfect, sure, pure, true, gracious, strong, and good..... will my children be able to believe these truths about God as a result of their earthly mother's life and behavior?"

"If we want lasting change in our hearts and in our family relationships, if we want to build our lives on a rock solid foundation, then we must reacquaint ourselves with the word of God and discover a new the truth that it has to tell us about God, about ourselves, about our children, and about what it means to be a good mother."
192 reviews6 followers
October 15, 2010
This was something I happened upon in the library on the parenting shelf while my boys were playing. I was having a difficult time with Brian, and I found it amusing to compare myself to a volcano. Made me feel like I wasn't so awful a mother. Even though she has a Christian perspective and quotes bible verses, I didn't feel like I was reading it by mistake.
Profile Image for Mary.
172 reviews1 follower
August 24, 2010
After hearing Julie speak twice and reading "One Tough Mother" I am a fan. She is very relatable, funny, and had good advice. I think every mother of small children should read this book! In addition to Mommy anger she talks a little bit about Mommy guilt, another biggie.
Profile Image for Tricia Jennings.
34 reviews3 followers
May 24, 2009
Simple and helpful. If you think you need this book to help you deal with your anger at your kids, you probably do need it. Helped me control my temper much better.
16 reviews4 followers
August 5, 2009
Christian writer with a great sense of humor
Profile Image for Cindy Rawlings.
190 reviews5 followers
August 5, 2011
Hilarious but also has something for every mother to use. Highly recommend it!
Profile Image for Lorraine Collins.
6 reviews
August 20, 2011
Met this woman, and heard her story behind the book, she is an awesome speaker !

I love this book !
Profile Image for Michelle.
675 reviews38 followers
May 14, 2017
I am re-reading this one for the fourth time (I think). Very helpful end encouraging for a mom who wants to learn to control her temper and become the mom she really wants to be.
Profile Image for Bethany Kasprowicz.
8 reviews1 follower
April 8, 2024
I feel seen. This book has very practical ways to help moms with anger and make us feel less alone. The book was written in the early 2000s so there are mentions of dial up internet and phone books, which was funny to read, but her wisdom is timeless. I will be referencing this book again in the future.
Profile Image for Jana.
734 reviews
April 21, 2022
I’ve yelled countless times, and it’s a relief to know I’m not alone! Great advice on what to do instead of yelling. My kids were happy to see me reading this book, too. 😛
Profile Image for IrenesBookReviews.
1,054 reviews28 followers
October 12, 2010
Don’t be afraid of this book! The author lays out informative and helpful steps to take if you find yourself behaving in a not so Christ like way! Every one of us has a boiling point. We may not be proud of it or how quickly it can be reached but we are all equal in having one.

The author, Julie Ann Barnhill, does an excellent job of making you feel like you are among friends. She opens up and talks of her issues and how she overcame them. She gives you ample examples of other Christian Mom’s who have dealt with their blowups.

The best parts of this book are the tips on how to handle it when you feel one of your blowing up moments coming. She also teaches you how to go to the Lord in prayer over past blowups and how to move on. This easy read book is an excellent resource for any Mom no matter the age of her children or the size of her most recent blow up!
Profile Image for Kristen MacGregor.
166 reviews3 followers
April 11, 2011
This book isn't BAD... but it's not exactly very helpful either. She spends the first 5 chapters just talking about how anger happens and how she's just as guilty as any other mother of "blowing it". Then she spends only the last 3 chapters giving examples of how to prevent it. And most of the "answers" are leaning on God, praying to God, asking forgiveness from God and never doing it again. Yes, those are good things- but I was hoping for something more concrete. It's easy to say that you'll ask forgiveness and then never do it again... it's a whole other thing to actually change yourself and NOT do it again- I think it takes more than just saying you'll change. And I was hoping she would have some answers as to what the "more" that's needed might be. The other ideas she had were good, but nothing unique that I haven't heard of before.
Profile Image for Denise.
924 reviews
November 30, 2014
Exactly what I needed, right when I needed it. My tendency is to show a sweet public persona and let my family feel the brunt of my anger when things get out of my control. It's not healthy, and it's not getting any better with another little one in the mix.

Julie Ann uses raw honesty and no excuses to show how Christian moms are angry whether or not we're willing to talk about it. I loved how her practical solutions were all given on the foundation of God's power to change our hearts, not our own get it right mentality. She pointed readers back to Scripture over and over and to prayer as the way to find God's ultimate solutions for our families. There is personal responsibility for losing your temper, and lavish grace to change the patterns.
Profile Image for Amy.
455 reviews
August 27, 2012
I loved this book. My only complaints are two doctrinal differences. I prefer King James version of the bible, her bible quotes were a bit "new agey" for me...but that was fine as they were still relevant and I just looked up the scriptures on my own. As suspected, the King James version references had a bit more depth and meaning to them, which just made them all the more helpful. There was one other doctrinal difference I had towards the beginning of the book but I can't even remember it now....so obviously not that big of a deal. The rest was very thoughtfully written and very relatable.
Profile Image for Allison.
48 reviews1 follower
August 14, 2008
This is a great book for dealing with your kids when you're not in a real great mood! Warning: it is from a Christian perspective...so if that's isn't for you, than this book wouldn't be either. However, it has some really good inspiring quotes and what not that make the world seem like a better place! I got it from the library, but would like to own it...I think it would be a good one to refer to when the going gets rough! Oh, it's also quite humurous to, and the author shares lots of personal stories and her struggles!
146 reviews1 follower
April 8, 2008
This book has saved my family. I found myself getting angry too often and I knew I needed help. Te author helps you step back and analyze the real reasons you are feeling anger and helps you 1. avoid situations that cause the most anger, 2. direct anger at the true cause (instead of your children), 3. use your anger to generate positive change in your life (instead of just lashing out)

Highly recommended for any mom who feels like they should be the one sitting in time out.
Profile Image for Marnie.
99 reviews4 followers
September 12, 2008
I love authors who talk about parenting in real terms. True life stories by a mom who dosen't sugar-coat nothin'. Funny, pointed, all with a solid Biblical point of view. A must read for any mom who is real enough to admitt there are plenty of frazzled moments where you just wanna start a game of hide and seek and let them hide for awhile!
Profile Image for Rachel C.
213 reviews4 followers
January 17, 2009
Read this with my Mothers of Young Children Devotional when my 1st child was just a baby. At the time, I had no idea what the other mommies in the group were talking about - ha - I kept thinking, why would a mom ever be angry with or at her children?! Now that I have two that are preschool age, I should probably re-read this book.
Profile Image for Laura.
77 reviews4 followers
August 9, 2007
Really good book about dealing with anger as a mother -- a little heavy on the Christian stuff, but it's still a good resource for those who worry about their temper and how it affects their children.

53 reviews
August 28, 2007
Christian parenting, moms and anger management. Read for a book club. The good, putting light on the fact that moms get angry and frusterated, you aren't the only one and you can manage it. The bad, got preachy and self-congratulatory, missing that Christian humility.
340 reviews
July 19, 2012
Honest, funny, helpful, Christian-view of dealing with Mommy anger. Few people want to really talk about it, so sometimes you just don't know where to turn. Julie Barnhill (love her!) handles it well, and I was able to hold onto a few good nuggets of info.
Profile Image for Charis.
10 reviews1 follower
February 3, 2016
If you are a parent who struggles with anger, this is the book for you!! The Biblical truths presented here really spoke to my heart and have prompting lasting change. The practical applications are so helpful and, most of all, it is encouraging to know that I am not alone in this fight!!
58 reviews
February 12, 2016
A really awesome resource from a REAL and HONEST mom who is finding victory in her life through Christ everyday. And not in a cheesy Christian-see sort of way. She is so practical and loving. I will probably read it more than once. And the list of resources in the back are helpful.
28 reviews1 follower
May 23, 2008
Some interesting ideas how how to control frustrations towards children when you just feel like you are going to lose your mind.
Profile Image for Cody Toohey.
59 reviews5 followers
July 8, 2008
I got this at mops in a drawing. I didnt find myself relating to alot of it. But it had good pointers. Parenting can be hard. But I didnt feel I was the person they were speaking too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews

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