A clear, practical guide to responding the way you want to in meltdowns, clingy moments, and defiance.
Created by Emma Reed — NCPS Accredited Counsellor and Parent Coach
You understand your child.
You’ve read the books.
You know connection matters.
You want to be calm, steady, and kind.
And yet —
In the supermarket, they melt down.
At bedtime, they cling.
When you say no, they push back.
And somewhere in those moments, you feel yourself go too.
You lose your patience.
Or freeze.
Or feel panic rising while trying to sound calm.
Later, you replay it.
Wishing you’d handled it differently.
Because it didn’t sit right with you.
WHAT'S ACTUALLY HAPPENING
When your child is overwhelmed, their emotions get too big for clear thinking.
When you’re stretched thin, you can feel urgency rising inside you — sometimes before you’ve had a chance to think.
That doesn’t mean either of you are doing it wrong.
It means you’re both being asked for more than you can give in that moment.
Soften The Storm helps you recognise what’s happening — so you can choose your response instead of reacting on autopilot.
“I used to dread the screaming because I knew I would lose it too.
After watching the first video, I realised what was happening inside me.
The next meltdown didn’t disappear — but I didn’t escalate it either.”
— Mum of two, ages 2 and 4
Practical support for hard parenting moments
INSIDE SOFTEN THE STORM
This is a short, structured training built around three of the hardest parenting moments:
1. MELTDOWNS
• Why they feel so intense
• What helps (and what escalates things)
• How to stay present when you want to make it stop
• What to say — and when to say nothing
• How to repair if things spill over
2. CLINGINESS
• Why your child can’t let go — even when you need space
• How to respond without pushing them away
• How to hold connection while still getting on with life
• How to lead without disappearing
3. DEFIANCE
• Why “No!” can feel so personal
• How to hold a boundary without turning it into a power struggle
• What to do when you feel anger rising
• How to reconnect afterwards
Each video is clear and practical.
No theory-heavy lectures.
No rigid scripts to memorise.
Just simple guidance you can use in real moments.
“The section on defiance changed everything for me.
I stopped taking ‘No’ as disrespect and started seeing what was underneath it.
I still hold the boundary — but I don’t feel at war anymore.”
WHO THIS IS FOR
This is for you if:
You care deeply about how you respond to your child.
You feel ashamed after you snap — even when you're overwhelmed.
You’re trying to parent thoughtfully, but still find yourself reacting in ways you don’t like.
You want practical guidance, not more information to consume.
You want to understand your child — without losing yourself in the process.
WHAT THIS IS NOT
This is not behaviour management.
I won’t tell you how to control your child.
I won’t give you a checklist for “perfect” parenting.
And I won’t override your instincts with mine.
Instead, I’ll show you what to look for — in your child and in yourself — so you can trust your own judgement and follow through in a way that works for your family.
You might use my suggestions.
You might adapt them.
You may decide something different fits better.
The point is not to copy me.
It’s to respond in a way that fits with the parent you want to be.
WHO AM I?
Hi, I’m Emma.
I’m a mum and a psychotherapeutic counsellor, and I’ve spent over ten years working alongside mothers as they navigate the messiness and magic of raising children.
Much of my work focuses on the moments that knock you sideways — meltdowns, conflict, overwhelm, shame — and helping you make sense of them in a practical, compassionate way.
Because when you understand what’s happening, you can choose how you respond.
I’m really glad you’re here.
SOFTEN THE STORM – ONLY £47
WHAT YOU'LL RECEIVE
5 short videos, including 3 core lessons
Word-for-word examples you can try immediately
Guidance on how to repair after difficult moments
A printable reflection workbook
Lifetime access to revisit whenever things feel hard
SUPPORT FIRST GUARANTEE
If you feel stuck.
If you’re unsure how to apply something.
If you start and feel overwhelmed.
Email me.
I’ll send you a personal voice note to help you find your way in.
And if, after giving it a fair try, you feel it’s not right for you, I’ll refund you.
No defending your decision required.
“It wasn’t about becoming calmer overnight.
It was about understanding what to look for.
That gave me confidence.”
YOU DON’T NEED TO BECOME A DIFFERENT PARENT.
You just need a moment to choose what happens next.
Soften The Storm helps you create that moment — even in the hardest situations.
If you find this way of working helpful, you may also want ongoing support.
Inside the Calm Enough Mum Support Circle, we practise these skills week by week — so they become easier to access in real life.
There’s no pressure to join.
Soften The Storm stands fully on its own.
But if you want steady guidance and direct support, the door is there.
Dream Your Future Families CIC 2026
DYF Parents is a trading name of Dream Your Future Families CIC, a registered Community Interest Company (No. 11882255)