What is emotional balance?

Parenting comes with constant demands, and keeping your cool can feel impossible at times. When your emotions boil over, it’s harder to stay patient and give your kids the calm guidance they need from you.

By practicing emotional balance, you’re not only tuning into your feelings, but also creating space to process them, allowing you to respond calmly, think clearly, and stay grounded. 

Why it matters

Cultivating emotional balance helps you avoid impulsive reactions and connect with your kids from a more calm and centered you.

You might remember “Stop, Drop, and Roll” for emergencies. Now try “Stop, Drop, and Breathe” for those moments you feel like you’re about to snap. Alivia Irwin, LCSW, shares this quick technique from Dr. Laura Markham to help you regain calm in the heat of parenting.

Put it into practice

Reset your calm with these quick, practical strategies:

The STOP Technique

The STOP Technique

Use this mindfulness STOP technique to interrupt a chaotic, dysregulated mindset and move forward with greater intention.

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Happiness Calendar

Happiness Calendar

Get inspired by this calendar by the Greater Good Science Center to incorporate simple moments of happiness, bringing more positive energy into your parenting and family life.

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Positive Visualization

Positive Visualization

Discover how to create a vivid mental picture of your “happy place”, to boost motivation and reduce stress, helping you approach parenting challenges with a more positive mindset

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Reframing Negative Thoughts

Reframing Negative Thoughts

Complete this reflective worksheet to reframe negative thoughts into more positive ones, helping you approach parenting with renewed clarity.

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The Voo Sound

The Voo Sound

Tap into the soothing power of vocal vibrations to help regulate your breathing and give you a sense of calm.

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Enhance your emotional balance with these (slightly) longer activities:

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Follow this step-by-step activity to tighten and relax each of the muscles in your body to physically release tension and stress.

Read up on emotional balance

Explore helpful articles that support your journey toward emotional balance:

Science of Happiness: How To Ensure Parenthood Fills You With Joy and Not Misery

Dive into the science behind happiness and uncover actionable steps to experience more joy in parenthood.

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Enjoy Four Kinds of Peace

Uncover four different kinds of peace that can bring a little calm into your chaotic parenting life.

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Enjoy The Good That Lasts

Take a moment to pause and savor timeless comforts and lasting relationships, reminding you of all the good things that remain steady amid life’s constant changes.

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Parent Guilt: A Silent Epidemic

Explore the roots of parental guilt and discover how to extend more grace and compassion to yourself throughout the rewarding yet challenging journey of parenthood.

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Taking In the Good

Discover why “taking in the good” is important, and learn how to foster positive experiences in three simple steps.

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Lower Your Stress

Sound easier said than done? Uncover practical strategies to minimize stress as parents, partners, and individuals, leading to a more harmonious daily life.

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Radical Acceptance and Turning the Mind

Discover how embracing radical acceptance and tuning your mental focus can guide you through challenging emotions and help you maintain a more balanced perspective.

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Children’s Social and Emotional Development Starts with Co-Regulation

Understand the importance of your emotional regulation, as it lays the foundation for healthy social and emotional development for your kids.

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Three Ways To Stop Your Brain’s Guilt Cycle

Break free from the cycle of guilt with these practical strategies designed to help you shift your mindset and embrace self-compassion.

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Exercising to Relax

Discover how physical activity can serve as a powerful tool for relaxation and stress relief, helping you unwind and maintain emotional balance.

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The Resilient Parent Library

Check out these books for bringing more emotional balance into your parenting:

Parenting with Presence

Want to be present with your kids? This book is like a gentle nudge that reminds us to practice mindfulness even in moments of madness.

Parenting from the Inside Out

Help your kiddo thrive and feel understood by taking a deep dive into your own mind and understanding yourself better.

The Conscious Parent

Connect with your child on a deeper level with this guide on how to connect with yourself to parent with more intention.

Parenting in the Present Moment

When you’re overthinking things, this book is your grounding guide for staying focused on what really matters in parenting.

The Power of Understanding Yourself

Reading this is like holding up a personal mirror, helping you reflect on who you are so you can be the best version of yourself for your kids.

Our Babies, Ourselves

Broaden your perspective on how to raise your little one with this fascinating read on how different cultures shape our parenting styles.

The Yes Brain

Help your kids develop a resilient and positive mindset by nurturing your inner “yes” to life first.

Five Deep Breaths

Let’s be real — parenting can get pretty intense! Get some actionable tips for those days when you need to take a deep breath and refocus.

The Awakened Family

Get practical, hands-on strategies to be a more conscious parent, empowering you to help your kids thrive

Think Like a Monk

Bring serenity and purpose into your parenting by adopting mindful practices that help you stay grounded.

Everyday Blessings

Learn how to cultivate presence to foster a nurturing environment where both you and your kids can flourish.

Join the Book Club

Research

Because it’s nice to know we’re not just saying this, here’s the research that backs up the power of emotional balance:

Keep growing these inner strengths:

Awareness
Community
Compassion
Teamwork
Self-Care