Escalation often begins in the space where parents are trying to hold a boundary and children are struggling to cope with it. Parents can feel pulled between staying connected and standing firm. Understanding this dynamic — how love and limits collide under stress — changes how you respond and gives you a way forward that protects both.

When your child escalates, it’s natural to react or to just let it go. But matching intensity with intensity or giving in almost always makes things worse. You’ll learn how to pause, stabilise yourself, and respond in ways that reduce conflict rather than fuel it, even when your child is loud, angry, or pushing hard against limits.

Being calm doesn’t mean being permissive. And holding boundaries doesn’t require threats or raised voices. You’ll learn how to stay steady, repeat your message clearly, and maintain limits in a way that protects the relationship while still showing leadership.