You’re not just tired. You’re not just cranky. And you’re definitely not a bad parent.

What you’re feeling might actually be dysregulation.

That buzzing, overwhelmed, snappy, shutdown feeling? That’s your nervous system trying to manage more than it can handle.

Let’s break down what dysregulation actually is, how to spot it—and what to do when it shows up.

You’ve read all the parenting books. You’ve tried sticker charts, timeouts, rewards, and consequences. But nothing seems to stick. The chaos keeps bubbling up. And if you’re like most parents, you might be wondering: Is it me?

Here’s the truth that changed everything for me—and for so many families I’ve worked with:

The foundation of good parenting isn’t discipline. It’s regulation.

Let’s break that down.

You’ve said “no” for the third time, and now your child is on the floor screaming. Your heart rate spikes. Is this a tantrum? A meltdown? Are you supposed to ignore it… comfort them… set a boundary?

If you’ve ever felt like you’re walking on eggshells trying to get it right—but nothing seems to work—you are not alone.