See Brighter Days

03/28/2026

DBT skills ; overwhelm

[Infographic by SelfLoveRainbow]

03/28/2026

During a meltdown, the goal is not to 'fix' or 'stop' the behaviour.
The goal is to help the nervous system return to safety.

What we say — and how we say it — makes a profound difference.

When a child is overwhelmed, the thinking parts of the brain are offline.
They can’t reason, respond, or problem-solve yet.
They need co-regulation, not correction.

This post offers phrases you can use at each stage of the meltdown cycle — not to control the moment, but to support safety, connection, and repair.

Because when a child learns:
“I can have big feelings and still be safe with you,”
they develop emotional resilience, trust, and self-understanding.

If you found this helpful and would like a deeper breakdown of each phase (with step-by-step support strategies), you’ll find the full Timeline of a Meltdown resource via link in comments below ⬇️ or via Linktree Shop in Bio.

Save this to come back to when things feel overwhelming

03/26/2026

03/26/2026

Why a Young Person May Hide Their Self Harm

⬇️ Like the post & Comment: ‘Hiding SH’ for the PDF.

- Fear of getting in trouble/told off

- Not wanting to upset or worry their loved ones

- Not knowing how to express how they are

- Feeling and why they are self harming to others

- Worries that people will not understand

- Feeling shame and embarrassment

- Wanting to keep control

- Worries around what support will look like if they ask for it

- Feeling scared that people may tell them to stop self harming and they do not know how else to cope with their feelings

03/15/2026

Wright

03/10/2026

Many children spend their day holding it together — smiling, complying, masking distress to stay ‘okay’. What looks calm can be the effort of survival.

When the mask slips at home, it’s not manipulation — it’s release. It’s safety.
Understanding the difference changes everything.

Explore Masking: The Toolkit for Parents & Educators — your guide to recognising the signs, reducing the strain, and helping a child feel safe enough to be real. Link in comments or via Linktree Shop in Bio.

03/04/2026

A DBT self-soothe toolbox is a personalized, physical/digital collection of items designed to manage intense emotions, reduce anxiety, and promote calm by engaging the five senses.

It serves as a distress tolerance skill to help ground you in the present moment.

Key items may include sensory objects (fidgets, putty), calming scents (lavender), comforting tastes (herbal tea), soothing sounds (playlists), and comforting visuals (photos).

How to Use the Toolbox
Purpose: Use when feeling low, anxious, or in distress to prevent a crisis from worsening.

Method: Engage with items one by one while practicing mindfulness to focus on the present moment.

Types: Create a physical box at home, a mini travel kit for on-the-go, or a digital folder of comforting images and songs.

Preparation: Assemble items that personally bring you comfort to ensure they are accessible during high-stress situations.

02/24/2026

DBTSkills. How to work through your emotions.

02/24/2026

DBTSkills : Emotion Regulation. Understanding Emotions.


[Image credit 6sec dot org ]

02/11/2026

When a child’s emotions spill over, our nervous system often goes with them.
Before we can steady a child or young person, we need to steady ourselves.

This Parent Regulation Tip Sheet is a gentle reminder that regulation isn’t about being perfectly calm – it’s about having a few small, body-based resets you can reach for when things feel loud, fast or overwhelming.

Because your calm nervous system is one of the most powerful tools your child has.

Save this for the hard moments.
Share it with a parent who needs permission to pause.