HearthMath tools for self-regulation such as Heart Focused Breathing, are effective for both parents and children; kids enjoy using these calming techniques in their daily activities (tests, sports, emotions) when they’re feeling stressed.

Resilience is tolerance of stress. Patience is a form of kindness. Kids often have intense emotions and stress. Self regulation and emotional regulation is very helpful at the front end and back end of an emotion. Breathe. Talk it out. Go for a walk.

Parents are often afraid of intense emotions, because we were not taught how to work with them. Emotions are perfectly normal, and critical for releasing energy stored from stress or trauma. Validate your children’s emotions, have them name it and give them permission to experience it. Do your breathing as a parent.

“I can see that you’re upset, can we do some breathing together?”. When we’re stressed, we're less able to self-regulate, our cognitive functions are not firing as intended.

If you fall short, learn from your mistake, you don’t have to feel shame. Just use it as an opportunity to learn. And afterwards repair the relationship with your child.