205: Pause, Breathe, Respond: Your Holiday Parenting Superpower

In this episode of Real World Peaceful Parenting, Lisa Smith shares the transformative power of self-regulation, especially during the holiday season. Using relatable stories and practical steps, Lisa teaches how to manage stress, model emotional intelligence, and create a calm, connected holiday atmosphere. Learn how every pause and deep breath is a lesson your kids will carry for life. What You'll Learn: Why Self-Regulation Matters – Understand how your ability to manage stress shapes your child’s emotional intelligence and creates lasting holiday memories. Recognizing Triggers – Learn how to identify physical and emotional cues that signal stress and frustration before they escalate. The Pause Button – Discover how pausing and taking four deep breaths can reset your nervous system and prevent reactive parenting. Connection Before Correction – Explore how validating emotions and connecting with your child leads to better problem-solving and less holiday conflict. Practical Holiday Tools – Implement the “Trigger Tracker” and “Pause Practice” exercises to build your self-regulation muscle during busy times. Parenting as a Model – Recognize that your calm responses are teaching your children how to handle their own big feelings, now and for the future.