19. From Restraint Collapse to Co-Regulation: A School Social Worker’s Guide to Big Kid Emotions

Brittany Brady is a school social worker with over a decade of experience and the founder of Bright Starts Co. Through her work in schools, Brittany noticed that many children were entering classrooms academically ready, but struggling emotionally, socially, and behaviorally. That insight led her to focus on what truly supports school readiness: strong routines, emotional regulation, independence, and confidence built at home.In this episode, Brittany helps us understand why kids experience frequent meltdowns and what’s really happening beneath the surface. She explains the power of pausing as a parent instead of reacting, how parenting scripts can support regulation, and what restraint collapse is, including what it looks like after a long school day. Brittany also shares simple, low-effort strategies families can use to minimize restraint collapse and help children feel safer and more secure through consistent routines.We wrap up the conversation by exploring how to help children feel seen and heard, along with practical questions parents can ask after school that go beyond the usual one-word responses. This episode is full of realistic, high-impact ideas you can implement without adding more to your already full plate.Follow Brittany on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brightstartsco?igsh=eDF0dWR3ZnFzaHd1Visit Brittany’s Website: https://www.brightstartsco.com/storeLinks & Resources💻 Website & Blog: https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support: https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops: https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidencehttps://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updateshttps://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds: https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries?Contact us at [email protected] Go deeper with KC on SubstackMore Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else.https://substack.com/@morethanmilestonesLove what you’re hearing? Follow, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow mom or caregiver who needs a little less pressure and a little more support. 🤍This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.