You are allowed to take a breath before you respond.
Parenting a child with ADHD can feel like riding waves — high energy, big emotions, sudden storms. And while you can’t control the waves, you can learn to surf them with more calm and connection.
At Mind & Body Therapy, we believe that emotional regulation isn’t just a skill for kids — it’s a practice for the whole family.
What Is Emotional Regulation?
Emotional regulation means noticing big feelings and having tools to cope with them — without feeling ashamed or overwhelmed.
For kids with ADHD, big feelings can come fast and strong. For parents, staying calm while supporting those feelings can be just as hard — especially when you’re running on empty.
That’s why we teach families to practice co-regulation first: calming together before expecting kids to calm alone.
Gentle Tools for Regulation at Home
Here are a few ways you can bring more calm into your daily life:
Name the feeling: “I see you’re frustrated right now. That’s okay.”
Use simple grounding: Take three deep belly breaths together.
Create a calm corner: A cozy spot with a blanket, fidget toy, or favorite book.
Model self-regulation: Narrate your own pause: “I’m feeling overwhelmed. I’m going to take a breath.”
*Remember: connection first, correction second.
It’s Okay to Be Human
You won’t get it right every time. No one does. What matters is that you and your child know that big feelings are welcome — and that calm is possible.
You don’t have to do it all alone. We see you. We’re here to help you feel whole again.
Let’s Breathe, Together
This post is part of our ADHD Parent Support series. Next, we’ll explore practical ways to Navigate Transitions: Summer to School Prep.
If this resonates with you, join our parent group or connect with us for support that nurtures your family, mind and body.
Take a breath. You’re in good hands.
Stacey Rogers
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