Are your kids’ fights setting off your emotions—and the whole house?Most parents try to “fix” kids’ behavior to feel better. In this video, Greg & Rachel flip the script: change your emotional state first, and your family dynamics follow. You’ll learn how to stop masking (“trying to stay calm”) and start being emotionally authentic—so you model regulation your kids can actually imitate.
We unpack practical tools to raise your family’s emotional thermostat—even on low-sleep, low-food days: breathing exercises, light movement, gratitude micro-meditations, future journaling, and morning routines that shift your biochemistry fast. You’ll discover why sleep and nutrition are foundational, how to process triggers and “memorized emotions,” and how to radiate steadiness kids naturally copy.
Big idea: Nothing gets better until you do. When you upgrade your inner state, parenting gets easier, marriage gets warmer, and home feels safe again. This is how you cultivate a family culture of peace, courage, and joy—without pretending or suppressing.
Try this today (1-minute reset): Stand tall, inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 6 (x6 rounds). Add one gratitude sentence and smile on purpose. Notice the shift—then go connect.
Key Takeaways
✅ Nothing gets better until you do — when you raise your state, your family follows.
✅ Kids imitate without regulation — they copy your energy, good or bad.
✅ Trying to “stay calm” is masking — practice authentic emotional expression.
✅ Sleep & food drive mood — protect your physiology to parent better.
✅ Quick resets work — breathing, movement, posture, and gratitude change your state fast.
✅ Every family has an emotional thermostat — set yours higher on purpose.
✅ Mentor, don’t micromanage — see misbehavior as a cry for help and coach skills.
Memorable Quote:
🗣️ “Nothing gets better until I do.”
🗣️ “Kids imitate without regulation—set the state you want repeated.”
🗣️ “Trying to be calm isn’t calm. Authentic peace is felt, not faked.”
Chapters
00:00 Navigating Emotional States in Parenting
01:10 The Impact of Emotions on Family Dynamics
02:28 Understanding Emotional Responses and Reactions
03:54 The Role of Self-Care in Emotional Well-Being
05:29 Practicing Emotional Authenticity
06:51 Strategies for Changing Emotional States
08:21 The Ripple Effect of Parental Emotions
10:44 Emotional Literacy and Family Dynamics
12:21 The Emotional Thermostat of the Family
16:24 Understanding the Emotional Thermostat
20:58 Practical Strategies for Emotional Regulation
24:11 The Role of Parenting in Emotional Development
27:37 Seeing Children's Behaviors as Cries for Help
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
Don’t miss out on the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method class!
Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
Get Rachel’s Extraordinary Family Life Planner
JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal