Self-regulation. Maybe you’ve heard of it or maybe this is your first time even hearing the word. Regardless, let’s get into the basics – what even is self-regulation?

Self-regulation is basically how we manage our own emotions, thoughts, and actions, especially when things get tough. Imagine you’re feeling really stressed out or upset, but instead of letting those feelings take over, you find a way to stay calm and focused. It’s about controlling impulses, like resisting the urge to snap at someone or procrastinate on important tasks. By practicing self-regulation, you can work toward your goals more effectively, handle challenges with a cool head, and maintain better relationships. It’s like having a personal toolkit for navigating life’s ups and downs with resilience and patience.

Now…how can I start? Is it even possible to start right now? Don’t worry, we got you! Check out this book round up on authors who have mastered self-regulation.


A Parent’s Guide to Self-RegulationParents guide to self regulation

This book will demystify the concepts of dysregulation and parental self-regulation, and will normalize prioritizing these skills for parents, before bringing the concepts into parenting children. With this book’s step-by-step framework, you will learn how to mitigate tough parenting moments, develop self-regulatory skills, and read real accounts from other parents. From addressing societal myths about dysregulated parenthood to tips on re-parenting yourself for better regulation and everything in-between, this book will serve as both a friendly companion and a source of solid, evidence-based advice.

A Parent’s Guide to Self-Regulation is written by Dr. Amber Thornton, a clinical psychologist and mother of two, who knows what it feels like to struggle with dysregulation and self-regulation as a parent.

More here.

The Self-Regulation Workbook for Kids

Help your child identify, understand, and take control of their feelings with the kid-friendly cognitive behavioral therapy and self-regulation exercises in this easy-to-use workbook.

The Self-Regulation Workbook for Kids allows kids to explore and express their feelings, guided by a relatable character and reinforced through interactive worksheets and proven exercises. The CBT-based activities and advice in this workbook will empower children with concrete coping skills and techniques that they can return to each and every time they start to feel upset or stressed.

Check it out here.

The Self-Regulation Workbook for 3 to 5 Year Olds

Discover play-based activities, CBT exercises, and coping strategies to help children ages 3 to 5 with social and emotional functioning, attachment patterns, and handling anxiety and other strong emotions!

Activities within the workbook are play based to help young kids foster a healthy self-image and develop self-regulation skills necessary to manage stress, anxiety, and other big emotions. Additionally, the activities will include reflective opportunities for adults to help strengthen their relationship with the child. The reflective process is necessary for co-regulation, an essential aspect of self-regulation. These activities can be utilized repeatedly and adapted across ages and settings, as well as assist in navigating social and emotional developmental milestones.

More here.

Break Free from Reactive Parenting

Wherever you are in your parenting journey, there are ways to improve, connect, and find calm in the chaos. Instead of repeating the same patterns, feeling overwhelmed or uncertain of what to do next, today can be the day you let go of the guilt and shame around feeling like a “bad” parent or telling your child they’re being a “bad kid.”

Break Free from Reactive Parenting offers up a new approach toward self-regulation and child expression, focusing on the family as a whole to create a calmer, more equitable home environment. From addressing the issues that cause and result from being reactive to implementing a more effective parenting approach, this book serves as your support system as you seek to bring meaningful change into your home.