Parenting is hard, especially when big emotions, power struggles, or daily stress take over. This page is a curated collection of resources I recommend to parents again and again. Everything here is practical, evidence-based, and meant to support both you and your child.
Free Tools & Downloads
7 Phrases to Help Your Child Calm Down Without Power Struggles
This free guide shares 7 simple phrases you can use to de-escalate meltdowns and reduce power struggles.
Each phrase includes a brief explanation so you know when and how to use it. It’s practical support for staying calm and connected when emotions run high.
SAY THIS, NOT “HURRY UP”
Say This, Not “Hurry Up” helps you navigate rushed moments without raising your voice or increasing pressure.
This quick-reference guide gives you simple phrase swaps that encourage cooperation while keeping connection intact. It’s about moving things along without making your child feel behind, blamed, or alone.
Recommended Books
These books are ones I return to again and again in my work with parents and children.
They’re best for parents who want to understand why big feelings and challenging behavior happen, not just how to stop them.
Each book blends neuroscience, empathy, and practical guidance so you can respond with more calm and confidence, even in hard moments. You don’t need to read them all at once.
Start with the one that speaks to what your family is struggling with right now, and let it support you as you learn and grow.
Tools & Supports for Parents
Sometimes kids need more than words. The tools in this collection are designed to support emotional regulation, not punish or distract from big feelings.
They’re especially helpful for children who feel overwhelmed easily, struggle with transitions, or need something concrete to help their bodies settle.
Think of these as supports you can use alongside calm language and connection, not replacements for them. I only recommend tools that align with a regulation-first, shame-free approach to parenting.
Start Here: Helpful Podcast Episodes for Parents
If you’re new to the Raise Strong podcast, these episodes are a great place to begin. Each one offers practical tools and mindset shifts you can use right away during real-life parenting moments.
Episode 1 – The Secret to Handling Big Emotions (Without Losing Yours)
A grounding introduction to emotional regulation that focuses on staying calm yourself so you can help your child do the same.
Episode 3 – Why Yelling Doesn’t Work And What Actually Does
Explains what happens in the brain during stressful moments and offers realistic alternatives to yelling that still hold boundaries.
Episode 5 – The Power Struggle Trap: How to Stop the Cycle Before It Starts
Breaks down why power struggles escalate and how small language shifts can prevent them altogether.
Episode 8 – The Magic of Repair: What to Do After a Hard Parenting Moment
Shows how repair builds trust and connection, even after you’ve lost your cool. This one is especially reassuring for parents who carry guilt.
Episode 11 – What to Say Instead of “Hurry Up” (When You’re Already Late)
Perfect for mornings and transitions. Learn how to move things along without adding pressure or shame.
Episode 13 – Nonviolent Communication 101: Simple Phrases to End the Whining Cycle
Introduces practical, nonviolent communication tools that reduce whining and help kids feel heard without giving in or escalating.
Workshops & Deeper Learning
The Meltdown Map: 5 Steps to Handle Your Child's Big Emotions!
The Meltdown Map: 5 Steps to Handle Your Child’s Big Emotions is a practical, step-by-step workshop designed to help you respond with confidence when emotions run high.
You’ll learn what to do in the moment, how to stay regulated yourself, and how to guide your child back to calm without escalating the situation.
This framework is easy to remember and flexible enough to use across different ages and situations. It’s especially helpful if meltdowns feel unpredictable or leave you second-guessing yourself afterward.
Professional Support & When to Get More Help
Sometimes caring, informed parenting isn’t enough on its own, and that doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. Therapy, parent coaching, and additional support can be incredibly helpful when stress feels constant or when challenges start to feel bigger than what you can manage alone.
You might consider extra support if meltdowns are escalating, your child seems stuck in anxiety or distress, or you notice that you’re feeling overwhelmed, reactive, or disconnected more often than not. Parent coaching offers a practical, short-term space to talk through real situations, learn what to say and do in the moment, and feel supported as you build calmer patterns at home. If you’re curious, you can learn more about parent coaching and how we work together here.
If at any point you’re concerned about your child’s safety or your own, reaching out for immediate help is an important step. In the U.S., you can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or seek local emergency support if needed. Getting help is not a failure, it’s a form of care.
Final Message
You don’t have to do all of this at once. Parenting isn’t about getting it right every time… it’s about having support and knowing where to turn when things feel hard. Start with one resource that feels doable today, and come back whenever you need steady guidance.
If you’d like ongoing support, you can subscribe to the Raise Strong Podcast or join my email list for weekly tools and encouragement. You’re doing better than you think, and you don’t have to figure this out alone.
NOTE: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. That means if you choose to purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources and tools I truly believe can support parents and children, and your trust always comes first.