03/09/2026
Sometimes the thing that tips a child over can seem so small.
Shoes on.
Turn the screen off.
Time to leave.
A sibling says the wrong thing.
And we can find ourselves thinking, “Why has THAT caused such a big reaction?”
But that moment may only be the final drop.
They may have already been carrying sensory overload, tiredness, anxiety, demands, frustration, hunger or a need for connection. By the time we see the behaviour, their capacity may already be stretched to its limit.
Instead of focusing only on the final trigger, get curious about what has been filling their cup.
Because when we understand what led to the behaviour, we have a much better chance of knowing what they need from us.
And sometimes, the most helpful response isn't another consequence or another demand. It's helping to reduce the load.
ParentingSupport SensoryOverload
