"One of the hardest parts of parenting is when yesterday's success becomes today's struggle."

It's one of the questions parents ask me most often.

"Yesterday they got dressed without any problems. Today it's a battle. What changed?"

Usually, nothing about the task changed. What changed was your child's regulation.

Children don't wake up every day with exactly the same capacity. Just like adults, their nervous systems are influenced by sleep, hunger, illness, excitement, sensory experiences, stress and dozens of other things we often can't see.

On the days when their nervous system is coping well, everyday tasks feel manageable. On the days when it's overwhelmed, even getting dressed or brushing their teeth can feel impossible.

That doesn't mean they're being lazy or choosing not to cooperate.

It means they're struggling to access the skills they already have.

As parents, we naturally want to solve the problem quickly. But sometimes the most helpful question isn't, "How do I make them do this?"

Instead, try asking, "What might they need right now?"

- A little more connection.

- A little less pressure.

- A little more time.

- A little more support.

When we support regulation first, participation often follows.

Sometimes, changing the question changes everything.

Find out more here with this Free download: https://www.theregulationhourglass.com.au/lp-co-regulation-quick-guide

Until next time :)

Beryl