01/16/2026
When your child’s behaviour suddenly flips into “fight, flight, freeze, or fawn”… it can feel personal.
Like they’re choosing to be difficult. Like they’re ignoring you on purpose.
But what’s often happening is simpler (and far more human): their brain has sounded the alarm.
When the amygdala thinks there’s danger (real or imagined), it pulls the body into survival mode fast.
Thinking brain goes offline. The body takes over. Big reactions show up because your child is trying to feel safe.
And as a parent, understanding this process matters because it changes the question from:
“What’s wrong with my child?”
to
“What does their brain think it’s protecting them from?”
That shift helps you respond with steadier boundaries, more effective co-regulation, and a lot less shame for everyone.
If you’d like more calm, child-friendly brain science (and what to do in the moment), the Child Brain Explained Toolkit, comment BRAIN in the comments below ⬇️ or via Linktree Shop in Bio.
