Co-Regulation 101: How to Calm Yourself So Your Child Can Calm Down

Parenting often comes with moments when emotions run high. Your child might burst into tears over a broken toy, refuse to leave the playground, scream because dinner isn’t what they expected, or have a full-blown meltdown over something that seems surprisingly small. In those moments, it’s easy for parents to feel frustrated, overwhelmed, or even tempted to raise their voices. But here’s something worth remembering: children are still learning how to manage their emotions, and they often need help from a calm, supportive adult before they can calm themselves. This is where co-regulation comes in. Co-regulation is the process...