12/06/2025
A child’s nervous system is deeply tuned to their mother or primary caregiver. Research shows that when children experience stress, their brains hold onto intense emotions until they are reunited with a secure caregiver. Brain scans reveal that stress circuits deactivate up to five times faster when a child is in the presence of someone they trust deeply.
This rapid calming allows pent-up feelings to surface safely. Children may cry, vent frustration, or show intense emotions, not because they are “spoiled,” but because their brain finally feels secure enough to release what it has been holding in.
The way a caregiver responds during these moments teaches the child that emotions are safe to feel and express. Gentle reassurance, calm presence, and patience help regulate the nervous system and strengthen emotional resilience.
This biological connection highlights why secure attachment is so powerful. The moments when a child releases their hardest emotions are opportunities for growth, learning, and building trust. Understanding this helps parents approach emotional outbursts with empathy rather than frustration, recognizing them as a natural, healthy release.
