04/28/2025
When parents are stressed and overwhelmed, it’s almost impossible to prevent that energy from affecting their children.
It’s not about blame or shame. It’s simply how nervous systems work.
Children are incredibly sensitive to the emotional states of the adults around them — often picking up on stress even if nothing is said out loud.
This is why it’s essential for us, as adults, to take intentional steps to regulate our own nervous systems.
Regulation doesn't just mean "thinking positive."
It means using real, embodied tools and strategies to help our bodies move out of stress states and into calm, grounded presence.
When parents stay chronically dysregulated, it can lead to children becoming dysregulated too — showing up as emotional outbursts, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, sleep struggles, and even challenges in relationships.
The good news?
Because of neuroplasticity and the natural resilience of the nervous system, healing is always possible — for adults and for children.
Some powerful first steps include:
Breathwork and grounding exercises (daily practice, even for just 5 minutes)
Body-based movement like gentle stretching, yoga, or somatic exercises
Co-regulation activities — simply spending calm, connected time together, like quiet walks, reading, or music
Mindfulness and self-awareness to notice when stress is rising and intervene early
Professional support (coaching, therapy, or body-based practices) when needed
Regulating ourselves isn't just for our own well-being.
It’s one of the most powerful gifts we can offer the children in our lives — a stable, safe emotional foundation they can grow from.
We don’t have to be perfect.
We just have to be willing to practice.
