What My Toddler’s Tantrum Taught Me About Myself

There was a moment in my early parenting that still takes my breath away.

My toddler bit me.

And before I even realised what I was doing, I smacked him across the face.

That was my autopilot. That was the parenting I’d absorbed, witnessed, and internalised. And in that moment, it felt like the only thing I could do.

But the second it was over, I felt sick with shame.

This was one of my lowest moments — not because I didn’t love my child, but because I had no idea how else to respond. I hadn’t yet been placed in a situation that revealed the depth of my reactive patterning.

Parenting has a way of doing that, doesn’t it?

It brings out the best in us, the worst in us, and everything in between.

But that moment was also my turning point.

When my second son came along, things were different.

One day, he was having a huge tantrum...kicking, screaming, thrashing in my arms on his bedroom floor. But this time, I didn’t try to control or silence it.

I held him close, firmly but gently, and said nothing.

Inside my mind, I just repeated:
“I love you. I’m here. Your big emotions are welcome here.”

That moment didn’t break us...it built trust.

Today, he’s 16. And when he’s overwhelmed, he still comes to me.
He knows what his body is telling him. He knows it’s safe to feel.

And he’s even held space for me during my own emotional storms (I don't need nor expect this from him)...just by being present and calm.

I share this because I want you to know…

If you’ve ever yelled, snapped, or reacted in a way you regret — you’re not alone.

You’re not broken.
You’re just being invited to parent differently.

And that’s exactly why I created this free guide:
👉 What to Do When Your Toddler Won’t Listen

Inside, I share 5 simple tools to move from reactivity and overwhelm...
to calm, connected, intuitive parenting — the kind that builds resilience, emotional intelligence, and trust in your toddler and in you.

Because as the world around us changes rapidly, what our children need most is emotional strength.

When we teach them how to understand their emotions in the body, they develop intuition, courage, and resilience — skills they’ll need to thrive in the future.

It starts now.
It starts with us.