10/05/2026
Sometimes the problem isn’t that your child won’t do the next thing. Think about it this way: perhaps their nervous system is saying, “I need a minute before I can do anything else.”
Think about what happens after a long day at school. They’ve spent hours sitting still, transitioning, following directions, managing sensory input, navigating social interactions, completing assignments, and holding it together. Then they come home and we immediately ask:
“Did you do your homework?”
“Did you unload your backpack?”
“Take a shower.”
“Get ready for practice.”
🥴 And when they push back, melt down, shut down, or become irritable, we may interpret it as defiance.
Instead of labeling this behavior as defiance, consider asking yourself “What does their nervous system need before they can meet another demand?”
When we reframe the problem, we begin to create enough space for the child to pause, regulate, reconnect, and then respond.
If this resonates with you, join the next Masterclass where we’re going deeper into nervous system regulation and after school stress.
Link in the bio.
