Tips I tell my caregivers…

1. • STOP before responding to a meltdown

2. • Take a minute to collect yourself - take a deep breath and

3. • talk to your child in a calm and empathic tone.

4. • Make it feel less scary! Help them identify the feeling they’re experiencing, name it, validate it, and

5. • show them you’re able to hold those big feelings for them without becoming upset too (& if you feel like you can’t try and fake it til you make it & then check in with one of your support systems after the crisis is averted)

6. • Hold clear boundaries /expectations while still demonstrating compassion & understanding.

7. • Ask them if they’d like some space and show them space is healthy to ask for i.e. how it’s different from “time out”

8. • Suggest spending some quality time together like watching their favorite movie later on that day if/when you can.

••• Emotions are tough. Kids don’t know how to handle them any better than we do. You’re not a bad parent and your child doesn’t hate you or not respect you. The research is very clear - it shows us that punishment doesn’t work but empathy does. •••