Nervous System Regulation for Parents: Practical Tools for You and Your Kids

What does nervous system regulation actually look like when you have kids?

In Part 2 of my conversation with Amanda Armstrong of Regulated Living, we're getting much more practical about nervous system regulation for parents and children, and how we can support our kids when they're overwhelmed, dysregulated, tantruming, or struggling to settle down for sleep.

One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that co-regulation comes before self-regulation. Our kids' nervous systems are constantly communicating with ours, which means that learning to regulate ourselves is one of the most powerful things we can do to support our children.

Amanda shares practical strategies she uses with her own kids, including breathing exercises, movement, sensory activities, getting outside, and creating a home environment that supports the nervous system. We also talk about why it's important to practice these tools during calm moments rather than waiting until your child is in the middle of a full-blown tantrum.

(She shares this great song she found recently: Big Feelings Emotional Regulation Song)

And there's of course an important connection to sleep!

If you haven't listened to Part 1 yet, start there for the foundation on the vagus nerve, nervous system regulation, and sleep. Then come back here for the practical, kid-focused conversation.

Amanda Armstrong is the founder of Regulated Living, a mental health coaching practice focused on anxiety, depression, and nervous system regulation. She is also the author of Healing Through the Vagus Nerve and host of the Regulate and Rewire podcast.