Episode 70

When “Take a Breath” Makes the Meltdown Worse - Try This Instead!

Your child is melting down. You calmly say, “Take a breath.” And somehow…that makes everything worse.

In this episode, Caley explains why asking a child to regulate when they’re already overwhelmed can actually add fuel to the fire—and what to do instead. Using Dr. Bruce Perry’s Regulate, Relate, Reason framework, she shares practical ways to regulate yourself first, avoid co-escalation, and help your child move through big emotions before trying to reason or problem-solve.

Plus, download Caley’s free Parent Calming Strategies poster for simple tools to use when things get heated.

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COR Parenting Conversations

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About your host

Caley Kukla

Caley earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education and her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Florida. For the past 12 years, she has worked in a variety of roles to serve families including preschool teacher, early interventionist, behavior therapist, and now a private consultant and podcaster.

Her most recent professional development includes Conscious Discipline™, The Play Project ™, and training with Dr. Ross Greene on his Collaborative Problem-Solving approach. Caley grounds her work in the most up-to-date neuropsychology, Attachment Theory, and developmentally appropriate practices that value the parent-child relationship over compliance.

Caley empowers parents to understand children’s behavior through brain science and empathy by translating children’s behavior into easy-to-follow steps. In between translating brain science to practical tips for parents, Caley raises her two boys with her husband in South Florida. She works out daily and loves the ocean, naps, and coffee.