when your child is too old
for tantrums but they're
still happening
You may recognize these patterns:
• Homework turning into daily battles
• Small frustrations exploding into big reactions
• Your child feeling overwhelmed by expectations or transitions
• Exhausting power struggles
• Your child seeming mature one moment and completely regressed the next
• Nothing that works for other kids is working for yours
Do you ever wake up at 3 a.m. determined to try harder to be more patient tomorrow?
You don't have to keep struggling on your own...
Many parents assume these behaviors are about discipline or defiance.
But some school-age children have stress-sensitive nervous systems.
When their system becomes overwhelmed, small frustrations can quickly escalate into big emotional reactions — even when you're doing your best to stay calm.
This is where a different kind of parenting leadership becomes essential.
Susan & Jason’s Story
(artist & teacher, parents of 2)
When we first reached out to Kathy, we were exhausted and unable to enjoy our family. My 9-year-old was so stressed out about school that he often refused to go. We were left fielded by unpredictable explosive outbursts from him and stuck in a cycle that we couldn’t get out of.
The practices, perspective and calmer foundation we worked on with Kathy over the following six months made a seriously huge difference!
We’re now three months into the new school year and it’s going SO WELL for our son!!!!! “present” and so happy, is overwhelmingly beautiful.
Update: It's been a year since we completed our work with Kathy. Our intense work last year created a new, steadier foundation from which things have continued to get better. We know how to set up clearer expectations, give him space, and support him while keeping our cool through the hard moments.
Overall, it’s harmonious here now and much more like the family we hoped for. We're ever grateful we did the work with Kathy.
Understanding What’s Driving the Escalation
Many families discover that once they understand the nervous system patterns driving their child’s behavior, the constant battles begin to make sense — and new possibilities for connection and calm leadership open up.
If it would help to talk through what’s happening in your family, I invite you to start with a complimentary Parenting Solutions Call.