124: What to Do When Your Child Is Overwhelmed: The ABCs of Co-Regulation

Ever had a moment where your child’s reaction felt way bigger than the situation? 🌋A small thing turns into a huge meltdown. Logic doesn’t land. Consequences do NOT work. And you’re thinking "what am I supposed to do right now?" This is for you!Today I’m joined by Elizabeth Sautter, a speech-language pathologist and author who has spent nearly 30 years supporting neurodivergent kids, families and educators. She’s also a mum of two neurodivergent (grown up) kids, so everything she shares comes from both professional experience and real life.Elizabeth introduces a simple framework she uses with families called the ABCs and 123s of co-regulation. It helps parents understand what’s happening in a child’s nervous system when emotions run high, and what actually helps in the moment.Because when kids are overwhelmed, it’s often not a discipline problem. It’s a regulation problem.In this episode we talk about:✅ Why behaviour is often a signal, not the real problem✅ Why reasoning with a dysregulated child rarely works (we’ve all tried though)✅ The power of pausing before responding✅ How your calm nervous system helps regulate your child’sI also love Elizabeth's metaphor about kids learning to ride emotional waves. "Our job isn’t to stop the waves, but to help them stay afloat while the feelings pass."She created a free resource for listeners called the Get Regulation in Real Time Toolkit, with practical tools to support kids’ emotional regulation at home or school. Grab it here.(https://elizabethsautter.com/regulation-in-real-time-toolkit)Love what you're hearing? Get your FREE Emotional Intelligence Resource Bundle at stephaniepinto.com/giftIf this way of thinking resonates, my book on Amazon goes deeper into these ideas — emotional intelligence as the foundation for calmer, more connected parenting. Think of it as a companion to this conversation. 📚 Find my book From Chaos To Connection by Stephanie Pinto on Amazon here!🩷 Hi! I’m an award-winning Emotional Intelligence parenting consultant, best-selling author and international speaker. I’m also a paediatric anxiety therapist and I love helping kids, parents and educators use emotional intelligence to become calmer, more connected and live happier lives! Book a FREE 30 min consult with me to discuss coaching, support, collaborations or speaking engagements.E: [email protected]: www.stephaniepinto.comFB: fb.com/stephpintoIG @emotionally.intelligent.parent Have you joined my Facebook Group for parents? There are 148,000+ parents in the community!🎉 Join Let's Raise Emotionally Intelligent Kids now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.