In this episode, Ann and Kim talk about what’s really going on beneath children’s big emotions – and why the first step is almost always to regulate ourselves as parents. They unpack simple anchors like “connect before you correct” and the “regulate, relate, reason” flow to help you navigate those heated moments with more steadiness and care - concepts shared by the NHS who offered a wonderful workshop for parents.

You’ll hear how dysregulation is a natural part of being human, how to spot it in yourself, and why co-regulation is so essential for children’s emotional development. Ann and Kim share practical ways to model emotional regulation, validate your child’s feelings while still guiding them, and create everyday pathways for learning these skills over time.

This is a gentle, hopeful conversation for any parent or carer who wants fewer power struggles, more connection, and a reminder that emotional regulation is something we can all learn – together – as we go.

Key Moments

00:30  — What the brain is doing when emotions run high
05:00  — Why children can’t self-regulate alone
09:00  — Noticing when we’re the dysregulated ones
16:00  — Why quiet doesn’t always mean calm
18:00  — The social shame of public meltdowns
21:30  — Personal signs of dysregulation
26:00  — What safety feels like in the body
30:00  — The “emptying out” image for being present
35:00  — Turning rupture into repair
38:00  — How co-regulation rewires safety in the brain

Co-regulation • Parenting • Nervous system • Emotional regulation • Dysregulation • Safety • Connection • Polyvagal theory • Emotional literacy • Repair • Awareness • Family relationships • Trauma-informed parenting