Ever found yourself triggered by your child's meltdown, wondering how to break the cycle of dysregulation? This summer rewind episode tackles one of the most challenging aspects of foster and adoptive parenting: staying calm when everything around you is chaos.

Drawing from personal experience as both a certified parent trainer and adoptive mom to five siblings from foster care, I share seven practical strategies that can transform how you respond in moments of intense dysregulation. Beyond just techniques, we explore the science behind why both children and adults move into fight, flight, or freeze responses, and how understanding these patterns creates pathways to healing.

The foundation of calm parenting starts before crisis hits. Most parents focus extensively on meeting their children's basic needs while neglecting their own. We dive into specific nutritional needs often overlooked (like the fact most women consume less than half the protein they require daily) and how proper self-care creates the physiological capacity for emotional regulation. From practical interventions like using cold sensations to reset your nervous system, to spiritual practices that center your heart in the storm, these strategies work in real-life situations with real kids.

What sets this episode apart is its honesty about the human limitations we all face. Perfect regulation isn't possible, and that's okay. These moments of repair actually provide powerful opportunities to model the very skills we hope to teach our children. Whether you're parenting kids from hard places or simply trying to navigate life's challenges with more grace, these insights will empower you to foster deeper connection even in your most difficult moments.

Looking for more support on your parenting journey? Connect with me on Instagram @NicoleTBarlow where we continue the conversation about fostering parent well-being alongside child healing.

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