09/16/2025
When Your Child’s Emotions Become Your Own
It’s natural for us moms to feel our kids' big emotions, especially with ADHD. Our first instinct is often to stop the meltdown, but that rarely works.
Think of it like this: If your child broke their arm, you wouldn't tell them they're okay and expect the pain to stop. They're in an uncomfortable, uncontrollable moment, and so are you. As a mom, you're biologically wired to be affected by their pain—that's your "fight or flight" response kicking in.
This isn’t an excuse, but it is an explanation. You don't need to feel guilty about your initial reaction. Instead of trying to stop the emotion, create a new habit of riding the waves of that energy.
Got a kid who won’t leave you alone? No problem. You can process any emotion in that moment, wherever you are. Including them in the process is a win-win!
Will it prevent future meltdowns? No, but it will empower you to bring emotional regulation to any situation, whether it’s once a day or 100 times. The more you redirect, the faster you'll get, and the less time you'll spend in intense emotions.
I've created a printable for your fridge that walks you through 5 simple steps of emotional regulation. I'd love to share it with you!
DM me if you're interested.
