Lets Explain Regulation To The Non-OT's In The Room

Episode Summary

Welcome back to the Grow Together Podcast! In today’s episode, Kate dives into one of her all-time favorite topics: the nervous system—and how parents can better understand, regulate, and support themselves in the middle of their child’s big feelings and daily challenges.

Too often, pediatric therapy focuses solely on helping the child regulate—but what about the parents? How do we support you in the middle of the meltdown, when your own nervous system is running on empty?

Kate shares:

• A powerful analogy using the “ladder” model of the nervous system
• What fight, flight, freeze, and shutdown look like in everyday parenting
• The role of the prefrontal cortex, limbic system, and why your child’s reactions aren’t personal
• Why you might be dysregulated and how to prepare your own system for tough moments
• Simple, research-supported regulation tools you can use before, during, and after meltdowns
• A gentle reminder that your calm isn’t just helpful—it’s how your child learns to self-regulate

Whether you're in the car before daycare pickup or curled up with headphones after bedtime, this episode is your permission to pause, breathe, and remember: you're doing a beautiful job.

Key Takeaways

• The nervous system isn’t something to “fix”—it’s something to understand
• Fight/flight and freeze aren’t bad—they’re protective
• Children borrow regulation from calm adults—your presence matters more than perfection
• Parents need (and deserve) regulation tools just as much as their kids
• Transition time, grounding, and somatic breathing are powerful tools you can start today Mentioned in This Episode
• The Ladder Analogy for nervous system states
• Harvard Center on the Developing Child: Co-regulation as a foundation for self-regulation
• Somatic breathing and grounding techniques for daily nervous system support
• Sensory profile support with an OT to discover what drains vs. calms you

Resources + Links

• Impacting Tomorrow The nonprofit Kate mentions in this episode

Favorite Quotes

"When your child is having a big reaction, it’s not a rejection of you—it’s a request for help.""Your calm is their compass. And sometimes, your calm starts with sitting in your car and listening to spa music before walking through the

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