Chaotic Connections

Two mornings. Same me. Completely different reactions.

Morning A:
It's Saturday and my favorite song is on. The kids are playing (nicely for once) and sunshine is pouring through the kitchen window. I'm unloading the dishwasher and drop a spoon. I pick it up. (Maybe sigh) Put it in the drawer. Move on.

Morning B:
It's 5am- no sleep, my one year old was teething all night, three year old was having night terrors and both were in our bed all night and my husband and I each had a foot in our ribs. I'm already not a morning person. The coffee I have been looking forward to since yesterday, I already know will have to get reheated today before I get to drink it. Kids are already screaming.
Mug slips. Hits my toe on the way down.
I am cussing. It is not pretty. I am ready to walk out the front door and keep going.

Same event. Completely different reaction.

This is what I mean when I talk about the window of tolerance - and it is the reason your toddler can handle something fine one day and completely fall apart over the exact same thing the next.

It is not inconsistency. It is not manipulation. It is a full cup.

Emotional regulation does not mean calm. It means having enough room left to handle what is in front of you. And sometimes - for them and for us - there is just nothing left in the tank.

I wrote a whole post about this - what regulation actually looks like at every age, why co-regulation starts with us, and the strategies I actually use with my boys when things get hard (including what NOT to do, because the "I guess I'll just leave without you" move? we need to talk about that).

Link in bio. Save this one for the next time the cup hits the floor.

Something exciting is happening at this summer and we could not be more thrilled about it.

Little Learners Labs is back - and this time it is a full 6-week summer series for ages 2 through 6.

Two tracks. Six themes. One summer you will not forget.

Little Explorers (ages 2-4) - Mondays 9:30 to 11am starting June 22 - $35 drop in
Curious Creators (ages 4-6) - Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30 to 11:30am starting June 23 - $45 drop in

Themes: Under the Sea, Bugs & Garden, Build It, Jungle & Animals, Space & Stars, Community & Friends

Little Pandas members - ask us for the special members code for discount!

Grab your spot at the link in bio before they are gone.

Farm & Food day is HERE and this is exactly the chaos I signed up for. 🚜

We've got Click Clack Moo, farm animal figures, a sensory bin situation, and veggie printing that will definitely be so much fun!

Coming in today: little ones ages 3-6 who are about to discover that carrots don't just come from the grocery store.

Little Learners Labs is drop-in every week at - parents stay and get a little breathing room while the kids get actual hands-on learning. Win win.

Link in bio to grab a spot for an upcoming session!