Crystal Driggs, M.Ed, Licensed Professional Counselor

02/23/2026

Your child is not ignoring you.
They are overwhelmed.

When children are angry, shouting, refusing or throwing things, it is easy to move straight to consequences. But when emotions take over, the thinking part of the brain switches off. In that moment, lectures do not teach. Shouting does not calm. Punishment alone does not build skills.

Children need help to regulate before they can reflect.

Connection does not mean giving in. It means staying steady. Naming the feeling. Showing your child that you see what is going on inside them. Once their body settles, they are far more able to listen, understand boundaries and take responsibility for their behaviour.

Clear limits still matter. Consequences still matter. But connection makes them work.

If we want children and teenagers to manage big emotions, build self control and develop respect, we need to model calm first.

Regulation before reasoning.
Connection before correction.

Like the photo and comment "CONNECTION" and we will send you a message with a link to a free PDF of this resource.

02/21/2026

The great smart phone debate 📱🤳

My kids started asking for their own smart phone about age 8 😳 and now that my oldest is in middle school its rare a day goes by that he doesn't ask for one because "everyone else has one."

It's tough to maintain boundaries, have them understand why you are making them the minority, and that you are doing what you feel is best for them.

Its recommended that smart phones shouldn't be given until age 14 and no social media until age 16. Some of these things don't just impact them while they use the phone, but have longstanding negative effects on their brains and emotional regulation.

11/03/2025

To be the calm in our children's storm can be one of the most challenging parts of parenting.

We often just "want them to stop" especially if we are in public and with company, which can trigger us and put us as parents in "crisis mode", matching or surpassing our child's energy which usually only elevates their frustration.

If we can learn to bring our energy/response down when theirs goes up, that is the start of co-regulation, and that's where the magic can lie ❤️

10/20/2025

My office buddy today ❤️

10/07/2025

This. Focus on repair. Even the best parents makes mistakes. Practicing repair not only strengthens your relationship with your child, it models how to take responsibility for actions, and acknowledging how our actions may impact others.

Tania Johnson | September 27th, 2025 Even the most loving parents will have moments of stress, distraction, or disconnection. We all raise our voices,

09/23/2025

We all have different sensory needs and regulation tools that work better than others. What works best for you? what works for your kids?

What regulation strategies work best for you? Here are some ideas:

https://www.theottoolbox.com/zones-of-regulation-activities-2/

https://www.theottoolbox.com/sensory-coping-strategies-for-kids/

09/17/2025

09/11/2025

I start seeing clients at my new office next week!! I have openings for some afternoon and morning appointments for NEW clients!

DM me for more info and/or to schedule a free consult 😊

08/03/2025

EXCELLENT ARTICLE AND GRAPHIC ABOUT HOW EMOTIONS AND BEHAVIOR CAN BE THE RESULT OF AND UNDERLYING ISSUE

"Observing the behavior of an anxious child is sometimes like looking at the tip of an iceberg: underlying the anxious behavior are layers of emotions and experiences."

08/02/2025

A couple weeks left to practice those daily executive functioning skills!

Elaine Taylor-Klaus, MCC, CPCC | Original Post This article was originally published on ImpactParents.com and is reposted here with permission. Take

07/31/2025

It's never "just playing" its always communication, processing, and learning ❤️

06/26/2025

“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.” quote by Jon Kabat-Zinn.

This quote beautifully aligns with core executive functioning skills. Practicing mindfulness strengthens attention control, supports emotional regulation, and builds inhibition, which is the ability to pause before reacting.

Being present “on purpose” mirrors the intentional thinking behind skills like planning, self-monitoring, and task initiation. And when we model nonjudgmental awareness, we help kids reflect on their choices without shame. This is an essential part of learning and growing executive function skills.
🧰Mindfulness tools: https://www.theottoolbox.com/mindfulness-for-kids/
🧰Inhibition tools: https://www.theottoolbox.com/easy-ways-to-improve-impulse-control/