Parenting That Heals: How to Support Your Child’s Nervous System and Your Own

Listen to this episode from You Make Sense on Spotify. Your child needs your regulated nervous system. Whether you're raising little ones, guiding teens, or showing up as a leader in any area of life, this episode is all about learning how to embody your own healing so you can support others with calm, confidence, and care. With her signature mix of compassion and clarity, Sarah breaks down how our past often informs our parenting style, and how we can begin doing it differently.You'll walk away with a fresh perspective on what children actually need to thrive. Plus, you’ll also get simple, practical tools for nervous system regulation and addressing your younger parts. It’s never too late to begin cultivating deeper levels of safety, attunement, and connection in your home.Episode Highlights01:10 Be Gentle with Yourself05:16 4 Things Your Child Needs to Thrive05:35 #1 - Safety09:06 #2 - Regulation11:10 #3 - Attunement13:37 #4 - Be Seen As A Unique Individual15:53 Only Need to Securely Attach 30% of the Time19:59 Adversity Builds Resiliency22:30 It’s Never Too Late25:03 Parenting Through A Parts Work Lens29:04 Nourishing Yourself32:12 “How Do I Parent When I’m Dysregulated?”43:53 “How Can I Get My Family On Board with This Work?”57:00 “How Do I Manage Anticipatory Anxiety?"Download Sarah’s FREE Workbook: Want more science-backed tools? Download Sarah’s free workbook, “How to Gain Control Over How You Feel,” for actionable prompts and exercises to help you start feeling better on a daily basis.https://bit.ly/yms-sp-workbookConnect with Sarah on:Email Community - https://bit.ly/yms-sp-newsletterInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/sarahbcoaching/Website - https://www.sarahbaldwincoaching.com/Submit a Question:https://sarahbaldwin1.typeform.com/podcastImportant Keywords:Nervous System Regulation - The process of supporting your autonomic nervous system to return to a balanced, calm state after stress. It’s essential for feeling safe, connected, and present in relationships, and allows you to respond to life from choice rather than survival.Co-Regulation - This is the process where one person’s regulated nervous system helps another person return to a calmer state. For children (and adults), co-regulation is essential because it teaches the body how to feel safe and soothed in connection with others.Somatic Healing - A body-based approach that involves releasing trapped activation/energy stored in the body, regulating the nervous system, completing the incomplete response to past trauma, and reconnecting with the physical self. Techniques like movement, touch, and breathwork are commonly used to support this healing process.Attachment - The way we connect and relate to others, shaped by our early childhood experiences. A secure attachment allows us to feel safe in relationships, while insecure attachment styles can lead to patterns of anxiety, avoidance, or confusion.Attunement - The ability to deeply connect with and understand another person’s emotional state, beyond just their words.Resiliency - The capacity to recover and bounce back after stress or adversity. It’s built through safe, supportive relationships and repeated experiences of navigating challenges while feeling seen and supported.