Strong emotions are a natural part of growing up, for children and for teens. When big feelings lead to challenging behaviour, it can feel confusing and exhausting for families. Children and adolescents are still developing the skills to recognise, manage and express emotions, and behaviour is often a sign of stress, overwhelm or unmet needs.
Big emotions are a normal part of growing up, but they can feel overwhelming for children and teens when stress, anxiety or sadness take hold.
In this video, parenting expert Dr Justin Coulson shares simple, practical strategies parents can use and pass on to help children and teens manage everyday emotional ups and downs.
When emotions run high at home, even experienced parents can feel stretched and unsure how to respond.
In this video, explains what emotion regulation really means and why staying regulated as a parent is essential when supporting both children and teens.
When children or teens are overwhelmed by big feelings, the way adults respond can shape how those emotions are handled long term.
Dr Justin Coulson introduces a reassuring metaphor and five simple steps parents can use to guide children and teens through intense emotions with patience and confidence.
Big emotions can take hold quickly, and helping children and teens move through them more smoothly is a skill that develops over time.
Expert Dr Justin Coulson explains how emotions work and shares practical insights to help parents support their child or teen to recover more quickly from difficult emotional states.
Anger can flare quickly in family life, but it is rarely the whole story, especially when children or teens are pushing our limits.
We unpack why anger is often a sign of deeper emotions like fear, sadness or helplessness, and shares practical guidance to help parents respond more thoughtfully when things get tense.
When children’s feelings or behaviours feel big, confusing, or hard to manage, parents are often left wondering what is really happening beneath the surface. Learn about the house model, a simple and accessible way of understanding how the nervous system moves between calm, activated, and shutdown states.
Once parents understand how emotions show up in the nervous system, the next step is helping children and teens make sense of it for themselves. Build on your knowledge of the 'house model' by learning how to talk with children and teens about their feelings and behaviour using simple neuroscience to reduce fear and shame and help young people feel safer with emotions like anger, anxiety, and sadness.
Managing children’s behaviour can often feel overwhelming and exhausting. Understand what’s really driving your child’s behaviour so you can respond with calm, build connection and support their wellbeing with greater confidence.
By Shona Innes & Írisz Agócs
This book helps children understand anger as a feeling that shows up when they are hurt, scared or overwhelmed. Using simple language and gentle illustrations, it supports parents and children to talk about what anger feels like, why it shows up, and how it can be expressed safely. It is especially helpful for opening calm conversations after big emotional moments. It is best suited for children ages 4-8 years.
By Orlanda Bettison
The My Brain series helps children understand what is happening in their brain when they experience big emotions. Using simple explanations and friendly characters, these books introduce ideas about how the brain works, why strong feelings show up, and what can help when emotions feel overwhelming. Parents can expect clear, practical strategies that support emotional regulation, mindfulness, and coping skills, making the books especially helpful for shared reading and conversation.
The series is often valued by parents and educators for children who like to know why they feel the way they do, or who benefit from concrete tools rather than reassurance alone. The series is best suited to children ages 5–12 years, with support and discussion from a trusted adult.
By Nadia Rossi
This episode explores the growing impact of loneliness on children and young people, drawing on Australian research and insights from mental‑health professionals. It helps parents understand how loneliness can show up as mood changes, withdrawal, anxiety or behaviour challenges, particularly during times of transition. Parents are guided to recognise warning signs and consider practical, compassionate ways to support connection, belonging and emotional wellbeing at home and in partnership with schools.
This podcast episode is most recommended for parents and carers of primary‑aged children and adolescents, especially where social connection or wellbeing is a concern.
By Susan Verde & Peter H. Reynolds
This beautifully illustrated book introduces children to mindfulness in a way that feels comforting and accessible. Parents can expect simple ideas around breathing, noticing feelings, and finding calm when worries or big emotions take over. It is designed to be read slowly, with pauses for reflection and shared discussion. It is best suited for children ages 4-10 years.
By Dr Justin Coulson
In this practical and easy‑to‑follow episode, Dr Justin Coulson explains what emotional dysregulation is and why children and teens sometimes react in ways that seem out of proportion to the situation. Using clear neuroscience‑informed explanations, he helps parents understand the difference between behaviour and the emotions underneath it.
The episode offers simple, realistic strategies parents can use to help children calm their nervous system, build emotional regulation skills and feel supported rather than judged.
This podcast episode is most recommended for parents and carers of children and teens who experience strong emotional reactions, meltdowns or shutdowns.
Parent Line NSW is a free and confidential telephone counselling and support service for parents and carers with children, aged 0 to 18 years. A team of trained and professional counsellors are available 9am to 9pm, Monday to Friday and 4pm to 9pm on weekends to assist with guidance whether you are caring for a baby, child or teenager. Call 1300 1300 52 or visit their website for more information.
By Trace Moroney
This practical book supports children to recognise when they are experiencing a “big feelings storm” and offers clear, child‑friendly strategies to help calm their body and mind. Parents will find ideas they can practise alongside their child, such as breathing, movement and sensory activities, making it a useful tool during emotionally intense moments. It is best suited for children ages 4-9 years.
By Maggie Dent
Written by one of Australia’s most trusted parenting voices, Maggie Dent, this book draws together contemporary research, professional experience and real family stories. It supports parents to respond calmly and confidently to children’s and teens’ emotions, with a strong emphasis on connection, co‑regulation and emotional safety rather than control or punishment.
Best suited to parents of children and teens, particularly those navigating big emotions, anxiety, or behaviour challenges.
ParentWorks is a free online program for parents and caregivers of children 2 to 17. It is an ‘evidence-based’ program, which means that the program has been tested in research and found it be effective in improving parenting skills, parenting confidence and child behaviour.
Parents and caregivers may find this program helpful for managing challenging child behaviours such as tantrums, aggression, non-compliance, inattentive or hyperactive behaviour and sibling conflict. It is designed to also increase participants confidence in their parenting and, provides guidance on working as a team with their partner. ParentWorks is entirely self-directed, which means that you work through the program on your own and there is no assistance from a professional during this program.
ReachOut is a free service, funded by the Australian Government, designed to support parents of teens. Its website includes guidance on a range of topics such as drugs, bullying, social media, mental health and wellbeing, ADHD and also includes information on how parents can access free, professional support with a trained parenting coach.
Mental fitness doesn’t have to be another thing to add to your to-do list. With the Smiling Mind App, families can use short, age-appropriate sessions to navigate busy mornings, transitions after school, or bedtime routines.
Try practising mental fitness in everyday family moments:
In the morning, to enhance focus and calm
On the go, to make travel a mindful and enjoyable experience
After the school day, to unwind and relax
At meal times, to create a calm dinner table environment
Before bed, to fall asleep—and stay asleep
During weekends, to foster family connection and boost everyone’s mood
Every session is designed to help kids establish new habits and foster positive mental wellbeing and resilience.
Parenting is full of ups and downs. Sometimes it can feel like guesswork when it comes to improving behaviour and strengthening your relationship with your child. This free, self-paced program is designed for parents and carers of children under the age of 12 and will empower you with proven strategies to confidently tackle any challenges that come your way, at every age and stage. From dealing with tantrums, building social skills, boosting cooperation, listening, self-regulation, and more. This isn’t a rulebook – it’s a toolkit to help you feel calmer, solve problems before they get bigger and support your child to reach their full potential.
WellMob brings together online resources made by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. On the site, you will find websites, apps, podcasts, videos, helplines, social media and online programs all with a focus on social and emotional wellbeing.
By Louise Hayes, Dr Joesph Ciarrochi & Ann Bailey
Written by leading Australian psychologists, this book helps parents understand how emotional resilience is built through everyday experiences rather than by avoiding discomfort. Grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and decades of research, it supports parents to respond more calmly and effectively when children and teenagers experience big emotions, stress or setbacks.
Rather than offering quick fixes, the book focuses on helping adults model emotional regulation, flexibility and compassion, recognising that these qualities strongly shape how children learn to manage their own emotions. Parents will find practical, evidence‑based guidance for supporting young people through anxiety, frustration and emotional overwhelm, while also strengthening their own coping skills.
By Maggie Dent and Stuart Shanker
Throwing a tantrum, being naughty and bawling their eyes out. Kids often react to situations that stress them in a way that’s socially unacceptable.
A huge part of growing up though is learning how to regulate emotions. So what can parents do to help their kids spot what’s going to tip them over the edge before it happens?
Parenting expert Maggie Dent finds out from self-regulation expert, Dr Stuart Shanker.
This podcast episode is most recommended for parents and carers of children navigating big feelings, mood changes or withdrawal.
Understanding why children and teens experience big emotions and how you can help create calm and connection.
Understanding children and teens' brain development so you can respond to their changing needs with confidence.
Understanding the challenges your child or teen might experience and strategies for supporting their mental health.
Guiding children and teens to build positive relationships and respond to social challenges.
The advice provided on this site and contained within the resources relates to general wellbeing information only and should not be considered medical, psychological, or professional advice. It doesn’t take into account your family’s individual circumstances.
Furthermore, links to external websites are provided for your convenience and to access credible, evidence-based information. Catholic Schools Maitland-Newcastle does not control, endorse, or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, or completeness of information on these external sites.
For personalised support, please consult a qualified health professional.
If you or your child are in immediate danger, call 000.
For 24/7 support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
