Simmons Counselling & Consulting

01/04/2026

Co-regulating during a meltdown. Meltdowns will happen but we can help reduce the intensity and duration.

01/04/2026

"Co-regulation today becomes self-regulation tomorrow. 🌱
When we support our children through their big feelings — not by shutting them down, but by helping them feel safe and understood — we’re building their capacity to manage those emotions on their own in the future.

It doesn’t always feel easy in the moment, but your calm is the blueprint for theirs.

💬 Want more guidance on supporting your child’s emotional development? My book Guidance from The Therapist Parent offers practical tools and real-life strategies to help.

📘 Available at www.thetherapistparent.com or on Amazon.

SelfRegulationStartsWithUs"

01/03/2026

Most Popular Posts of September 2025

The Power Cycle explains why conflicts between adults and young people can escalate so quickly.

A child feels powerless – maybe they’re overwhelmed, anxious, or struggling to communicate. Their behaviour becomes challenging, which can feel threatening or disrespectful to the adult. The adult then responds with more control – raising their voice, issuing consequences, or pushing harder for compliance.

This fuels the child’s sense of powerlessness, so their behaviour escalates further. Round and round it goes, each side feeding the other.

Here’s the truth: the cycle can only break when one person steps out. Children don’t yet have the skills to do this consistently – so it’s the adult who must pause, soften, and lead with connection.

When we choose calm, validation, and safety over control, we show young people that they are not powerless. We model regulation, repair trust, and open the door for cooperation.

Understanding the cycle helps us see that challenging behaviour isn’t about “winning” or “losing power” – it’s about unmet needs, developing skills, and the chance to teach without shame.

What helps you step out of the power cycle when tensions rise?

01/03/2026

Self regulation tools listed below. ⬇️ ⬇️⬇️

Regulation
💚https://www.theottoolbox.com/zones-of-regulation-activities/
💚https://www.theottoolbox.com/co-regulation/
💚 https://www.theottoolbox.com/mindfulness-for-kids/
💚https://www.theottoolbox.com/emotional-intelligence-2/

Emotional regulation
💚https://www.theottoolbox.com/emotional-regulation-and-executive-function/
💚https://www.theottoolbox.com/mental-dexterity-how-to-battle-brain-fog/
💚https://www.theottoolbox.com/affect-modulation-strategies/
💚https://www.theottoolbox.com/social-emotional-learning-worksheet/
💚https://www.theottoolbox.com/understanding-sensory-dysregulation/

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12/31/2025

Institute of Child Psychology ❤️

12/30/2025

12/30/2025

Resharing our most popular Quote of the Day of 2025 - November

12/30/2025

No one needs to prove their worth.

Kaya Toast for the Soul 💛

12/19/2025

My book is finally being printer early January. Pre-order-order your copy now.

Author: Johanna Simmons, Book: Parenting in the 21st Century: The Neuro-Informed Parent, Category: Educational, Price: £7.99, Length: 126 pages. Browse & Buy Now

11/10/2025

So true!

The greatest gift! 🎁
intelligent.parent

10/05/2025

Children need to play!

09/03/2025

The three brains, thinking brain, feeling brain and lizard brain. The brain develops from the bottom up and the thinking brain is not fully developed until about 25 years old. development

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