How to Stay Calm as a Parent? Parenting can feel overwhelming, especially in moments when emotions rise quickly and unexpectedly. Learning how to stay calm as a parent is not about being perfect — it’s about understanding what happens in your body and how to respond differently over time. When your child challenges you, your brain can interpret it as a threat. According to Polyvagal Theory (Porges), your nervous system automatically shifts into a fight-or-flight state. This i