When a child melts down, most parents jump straight into talking, fixing, or punishing. That usually pours fuel on it.

For the next 90 seconds, do nothing but this:

1. Get on their level.

2. Name the feeling in one short sentence: “You’re furious the game ended.”

3. Stay quiet. Let their body come down.

Kids can’t take in a lesson while their nervous system is on fire. Connection first. Teaching second.

That’s the core of emotional coaching — and it’s the first skill I walk parents through in Emotional Mastery.