Child's hand holding little finger of adult's hand

What to Say (and Feel) When Everything’s a Bit Much: Half-Term Edition

Words that Calm
May 27, 2025•1 min read

Half-term is here — and whether you're loving the extra time with your kids or quietly fantasising about hiding in the bathroom with snacks, this one’s for you. In this short, calming episode, Emma shares what to say in the messy moments, why meltdowns aren’t a sign of failure, and how 10 minutes of connection might be the best hack of the week.

You’ll walk away with:

  • Three grounding phrases to anchor you in real time

  • A gentle reframe for meltdowns, clinginess, and sibling squabbles

  • One simple shift that can help you breathe again before 9am

And if you want practical tools to support your nervous system during the chaos, download 5 Tiny Shifts — it’s free, kind, and designed for weeks just like this:
👉 https://go.dyfparents.com/5-tiny-shifts

Mentioned in this episode:

  • 5 Tiny Shifts to Help Your Child Feel Safer: Free Guide Here

  • Hint of what’s coming soon: Soften the Storm — A Micro-Course for Meltdown Moments

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Understanding people has always been a passion of mine, and becoming a parent made that understanding even more real. My counselling training helped me explore the emotional challenges of parenting — not perfectly, but with more presence, compassion, and clarity. Now I run a social enterprise supporting families through group work, counselling, and digital learning.

Emma Reed

Understanding people has always been a passion of mine, and becoming a parent made that understanding even more real. My counselling training helped me explore the emotional challenges of parenting — not perfectly, but with more presence, compassion, and clarity. Now I run a social enterprise supporting families through group work, counselling, and digital learning.

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