How do you FEEL when your toddler loses their shit over how you cut their sandwich? Or when your kiddo freaks out about something you’d consider minor (like pausing the television to put on their shoes)? What do you DO?
It’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed when your children are overwhelmed, experiencing BIG feelings and unabashedly showing them off. In fact, many of my clients (and, I confess, myself) find themselves dysregulated right alongside their little ones.
So, they yell. Cry. Lock their jaw and stomp around, silent but seething.
And then, shame and guilt and self-doubt sneak up.
It’s a sucky cycle, right?
Fact is, kids are not yet developmentally capable of moving to reasonable and calm quickly. They can’t help it. And, frankly, neither can we.
It’s true — many ADULTS don’t know how to self-regulate. They never learned. And, that’s understandable — brain science is a relatively new frontier. We’re STILL discovering truths about how our mind and body are connected. We’re not even a couple generations into noticing (and validating) our feelings yet, let alone knowing how to properly teach and take care of ourselves and the small ones that look to us for guidance!
So, what can you do about it NOW? Well, parenting is a wild ride, especially when emotions run high. Learning how to regulate yourself can make all the difference. It’s not a simple fix — though bodywork and breathwork and having a supportive community can go a long way toward creating peace — you gotta make some big moves toward personal growth. 💪 In therapy, we work to discover what overwhelms you, when that started, how you learned to deal with it, and THEN we get to learn new ways of thinking and being, practicing self-compassion and care in ways and levels that will change your life.
All that to say, it may be time to prioritize your well-being and build a calmer, happier home for you and your little ones. Ready? Get in touch. #SelfRegulation #ParentingSupport #YouGotThis ✨
