SUNDAY SHIFT #4
"I DON'T BLOW MY TOP, I JUST CRY"
A parent messaged me this week:
"When my kid melts down in public, I don't get angry - I just start crying. It's so embarrassing when everyone's staring and I know they're thinking I'm a terrible parent. I keep hoping someone will give me a strategy that actually works, because I can't keep hiding at home forever. My kids deserve to go to the park and have fun too."
My heart broke reading this. I am glad you’re reading this.
The (Sunday) shift: Stop seeing your tears as evidence of bad parenting. Start seeing them as evidence of being an amazing human. Your emotional regulation doesn't have to be perfect for you to be a good parent.
So here's your 3-2-1:
3 Things I Want You to Know:
Your tears are regulation, not failure. Crying activates the parasympathetic nervous system, releasing endorphins and oxytocin, which help your body return to a calm state. It’s not a breakdown; it’s a built-in relief valve working exactly as it should. (medicalnewstoday.com)
Those judging strangers haven’t read your child’s manual.
Sensory overload floods the brain, and executive function—the brain’s “air traffic control”—gets overwhelmed fast. What looks like misbehavior is often your child trying to process too much at once. (developingchild.harvard.edupanda.org.au)Staying home isn’t the solution—it’s the system failing you.
You and your child have every right to be in public spaces designed for all kinds of people. Families deserve inclusion, not isolation. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Let’s walk through these strategies together. Book a free 30-minute coaching call today. You’ll be glad you did.
2 Strategies That Actually Work:
1. Pre-regulate before you leave.
Take five deep breaths in the car and remind yourself: “I’m the calm in their storm. Other people’s opinions aren’t my emergency.” That prep shifts you from reactive to ready.
2. Have your exit strategy ready.
Not to quit—but to reclaim your power. “If it gets too much, we’ll pause by the car.” Predictability reduces panic—for both of you.
Here is a free downloadable image to print and hang on your fridge or wherever it can remind you:
1 Truth to Remember:
You're not a bad parent. You're a human raising a human in a world that wasn't designed for either of you.
Your kids need to see you navigate hard moments, not hide from them.
What's one public place you've been avoiding that you'd like to try again?
Want more real talk and practical strategies like this?
Hit reply or Leave a comment and share your biggest parenting challenge - I read and will reach out to offer any help I can.