One of the most common sentences that comes my way from parents is: “We need some tools to help when he/she is upset” (a term meaning angry, anxious, losing it). 

And fair enough, because as parents, we want to feel as though we have the abilities to calm and soothe our little beloveds when they are distressed.  We want to feel less helpless, and perhaps even, less hopeless. 

There’s a secret to managing your kid’s tantrums and behaviours and it’s a simple practice called awareness.

Staying calm amidst our children’s meltdowns is widely known and ‘suggested’ but let me assure you, hard to put into practice. I know this from personal experience as a mum and as a Child Psychologist where I’ve met plenty of parents wondering how to manage emotions and behaviour. 

Picture this – your kid is having a very loud and very public meltdown during their weekend sports game. All you feel like doing is sinking into the crowd and pretending they’re not yours. Whether we like it or not, our kid’s need us the most in these emotional moments.

Having a Wild Child can be tough, exciting, unpredictable and more but what lies beneath this wild behaviour and how can you parent it better?

Wacking a daisy crown on them is one thing but what can you really do, not to tame your wild child but to support and uplift them the way they need you to the most? 

Understanding attachment theory is incredibly helpful in parenting because attachment shapes a child's emotional security, self-esteem and future relationships. Children need more than just their physical needs met; they need to feel safe, loved, and understood. When parents are warm, responsive, and consistent, children are more likely to grow into confident, resilient individuals who can form healthy relationships for the rest of their lives.

Understanding the difference between a small childlike fear and something that falls into the realm of ‘anxiety’ can be really tough to navigate as a parent. Trust me, I know all about it. Ever had a child petrified of falling asleep in the dark? Refusing to go to sports day or one that freaks out over the tiniest bit of fruit on their plate?