Your child is banging on the wall, sobbing, and won't let you near them. In that moment, staying calm isn't about having the right words, it's about understanding what's happening in their brain and yours.

This conversation gets into what's happening in your child's brain during a meltdown, and how you can stay regulated enough to help them find their way back.

In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White sits down with Dr Tina Payne Bryson, New York Times bestselling author of The Whole-Brain Child and founder of The Center for Connection, to explore what's happening in a child's brain during a meltdown and how parents can respond in ways that build resilience instead of reactivity. They talk through practical, science-backed strategies for staying regulated as a parent, repairing after the hard moments, and why play might be the most underrated tool in your parenting kit.

You'll Hear About

Why the upstairs and downstairs brain matter
What to do when your child melts down
How to stay regulated during a meltdown
Why repair matters more than perfection
How play builds resilience and connection

You don't need to get every moment right to raise a regulated, resilient child. What matters is showing up, staying steady in the hard moments, and repairing when you get it wrong.

If this conversation shifted how you think about your child's big feelings, share it with a friend who needs to hear it too. Subscribe to The Science of Motherhood so you never miss an episode.

Resources & Links

📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_

🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services

🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies

Guest links:

🌐 Website: tinabryson.com

📩 Subscribe: tinabryson.com/subscribe

📲 Instagram: instagram.com/tinapaynebryson

📺 YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCCXGwMEmoL_noUYgx8kpakw

📘 Facebook: facebook.com/TinaPayneBrysonPhD

🐦 X/Twitter: twitter.com/tinabryson

🏢 The Center for Connection: thecenterforconnection.org

🏢 Play Strong Institute: playstronginstitute.com

🏢 CFC Santa Barbara: cfcsantabarbara.com

🛍 Amazon shop (Tina's favourites): amazon.com/shop/tinapaynebryson

📚 Books: The Bottom Line for Baby, The Whole-Brain Child, No-Drama Discipline, The Yes Brain, The Power of Showing Up, The Way of Play

📱 HumanUp app: humanup.com

This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth.

Disclaimer:

The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice.