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116 What If It’s Not Bad Behavior—But a Stress Response?
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If your child seems to flip from calm to chaos without warning, this episode will change the way you see those outbursts.
What if their “bad behavior” isn’t defiance—but a sign their nervous system is overloaded?
In this foundational episode, Andi introduces Step 1 of the CARE5™ Framework: Changing the Lens.
You’ll learn why traditional discipline often backfires, how to recognize stress signals in your child, and what’s really happening beneath those emotional explosions.
Using the Coke bottle analogy and real-life examples, Andi helps you shift from guilt and frustration to clarity and compassion—so you can begin responding instead of reacting.
Key Takeaways:
- “Misbehavior” is often a stress response—not manipulation or disrespect.
- Emotional outbursts tend to happen when a child’s nervous system is overwhelmed.
- The first step to supporting your child is changing how you interpret their behavior.
- Our nervous systems react faster than logic—especially under chronic stress.
- You can’t co-regulate your child until you first regulate your own nervous system.
Episode Highlights:
[00:00:00] Welcome + what the CARE5™ Framework is and how it helps
[00:03:00] Common mismatch between adult expectations and child capacity
[00:04:30] Story: Pokémon night meltdown and uncovering the hidden stress
[00:07:30] What happens in the brain and body when a child feels unsafe
[00:10:00] Reframing defiance as an overwhelmed nervous system
[00:11:00] Coke bottle analogy: how stress builds invisibly before it explodes
[00:13:30] Why home becomes the safe place where meltdowns happen
[00:16:00] The life vest metaphor: why discipline isn’t what they need
[00:18:00] Small stressors that shook my son's Coke bottle that day
[00:19:00] Recap: Step 1 of the CARE5™ Framework – Change the Lens
[00:21:00] Preview of Step 2: Stress Animals (listen to Episode 110)
Resources Mentioned:
- 🎧 Episode 110 – Understanding Your Child’s Stress Animal: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0vlnDR2iEqZ8K57YxJ5xU7?si=lCs7WKO6TUubNAUpMP_AyQ
Ready to see your child’s behavior through a new lens?
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