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You’ve heard the advice: “Teach your child to name their emotions.”

But what if the real secret to helping your child (and yourself) regulate emotions starts deeper inside the body?

In this episode, I sit down with pediatric occupational therapist Laura Petix (The OT Butterfly) to uncover what’s really going on when kids have meltdowns, get overstimulated, or shut down. Spoiler alert: it’s not about being “bad” or “defiant.”

Laura explains how your child’s behavior is actually a message from their nervous system and why understanding this changes everything about the way you respond.

You’ll learn:

Why meltdowns, shutdowns, and big reactions are signs of nervous-system overload
How sensory sensitivities (sound, touch, movement) shape your child’s emotions and behavior
The difference between a tantrum and a meltdown and why that matters
Why co-regulation starts with your calm nervous system
The mindset shift that helps you see behavior through compassion instead of control

If you’ve ever wondered “Why does my child react this way — and why do I lose my cool, too?” this episode will open your eyes to what’s really happening beneath the surface.

Listen now and get ready to see your child’s behavior through a completely new lens.

Get Laura's Book: A Kids Book About Neurodiversity

Follow Laura on Instagram @theotbutterfly

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Record your question, or share a parenting insight in a 1 min audio we will share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/ReflectiveParentingPodcast

Become a Reflective Parent using our evidence-based program:

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Book a spot in my calendar to chat about your challenges:

https://calendly.com/curious_neuron/chat-with-cindy-reflective-parent-club-clone

Grab a Free Resource:

FREE Workbook: Staying Calm When Your Child Isn’t: A Parent’s Guide to Triggers and Emotions

Email: info@curiousneuron.com

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Why understanding your nervous system helps you with your emotions

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