When you were an athlete, discipline was never something you did to the field or the equipment. You did not correct the track for being uneven or punish the barbell for being heavy. You trained your own body. You learned how to breathe when your chest burned, how to keep your form when your legs were tired, and how to stay present when your nervous system wanted to quit. Parenting asks for that same kind of discipline. But the arena is not a stadium. It is the nervous system

Some mornings are foggy for a reason. When the fog settles in, we’re only able to see what’s directly in front of us—not miles down the road, not every possible turn. And while that can feel unsettling, it can also be protective. It keeps us present. It keeps us from racing too far ahead or replaying what’s already behind us. This is often how faith works—and how the nervous system works, too. Anticipation becomes anxiety when our minds move faster than our bodies can stay gr

Written by Eden Mabry, M.Ed Neuro-Behavioral & Family Systems Practitioner Founder, Quality Behavioral Coaching Integrating nervous system science, attachment, and faith-rooted connection for families. A moment I didn’t slow down for It was one of those moments that felt small — until it wasn’t. The cup tipped. Water spilled across the table and onto the floor. And I reacted the way most parents do. I didn’t pause. I didn’t breathe. I didn’t soften my voice. I said their name

Why Connection Sometimes Feels Like a Threat — and How to Shift Toward Secure Attachment** Every parent knows the moment: You move in to comfort your child during a meltdown. You offer a hug. You speak softly. You try to reach them. And instead of leaning in… They pull away. They shut down. Or they explode. It feels confusing. It feels personal. And it leaves you wondering: “Why is my child pushing me away when I’m trying so hard to connect?” Here’s the truth most parents hav

A Rooted Regulation Blog by Quality Behavioral Coaching Perfection has become one of today’s most common parenting traps. Everywhere parents turn, they’re told they should create the ideal routine, respond flawlessly, avoid every misstep, and raise emotionally intelligent children who never struggle. But research shows something very different: Children don’t need perfect parents. They need emotionally available ones. Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child found that a “sta

Introduction: When Bedtime Turns Into a Battle If bedtime feels like a nightly tug-of-war, you’re not alone. Many parents see patterns like: Endless stalling “One more drink” or “one more question” Needing a parent to lay with them Meltdowns when mom or dad leaves the room Repeated trips out of bed This behavior can look like avoidance or defiance, but it’s actually something deeper: a nervous system that doesn’t feel ready for separation. Understanding what’s happening benea

One of the most confusing parts of working with dysregulated children or clients—especially when you’re emotionally intuitive, or highly attuned—is noticing that your own body starts reacting right along with them. You might feel jittery, tense, overstimulated, or on-edge… and wonder: “Is this my anxiety? Or am I picking up theirs?” Here’s the truth: 1️⃣ You’re not “absorbing it wrong.” You’re co-regulating because you’re sensitive and attuned. When a client grunts, screams,

Another explosive Monday morning? Let me guess, you set things up the night before, you prepared mentally, you promised yourself you would stay calm… and then the first curveball hit. Suddenly your body flooded, your voice sharpened, and you watched yourself lose the connection you’ve been working so hard to build. And if you’re a mom, caregiver, or teacher — one of the world’s quiet leaders — you know the weight of those moments. Because your instinct is always to take care

By Quality Behavioral Coaching- Eden Mabry We’ve all been there — a child refuses to listen, talks back, storms off, or suddenly breaks down in tears. In that moment, it’s tempting to think: “They’re just being defiant.”  But what if what looks like defiance is sometimes something deeper — a nervous system in distress, not a child being disrespectful? At Quality Behavioral Coaching , we help parents and educators look beneath the surface of behavior. Because the truth is, def

Have you ever noticed how a child melts down out of the blue, or how an adult suddenly freezes under pressure, even though everything looks fine on the outside? What if those behaviors aren’t just “bad choices” or “tantrums” but are deeply rooted in how the body and nervous system are responding behind-the-scenes? In this post, we’ll explore how the nervous system continuously influences behavior — not just as a backdrop, but as an integral signal system. We’ll ground it in r

Children who struggle with social cues often face challenges in knowing what is appropriate to say, when to say it, and to whom. Without...

Welcome back, friends. The coffee’s strong, the copier’s already jammed, and the hallways smell faintly of new crayons and anxiety....

The start of a new school year is always a mix of excitement and nerves — fresh lesson plans, new faces, and the promise of a whole year...

NOISE Strategy

Are you a parent, teacher, provider, or employer looking to replace some challenging behaviors for more functional one? I’m sure we could all develop better habits in replacement of some unhelpful ones. Have you ever heard of a token or point system? You may not be familiar with the name but if you have a rewards app for a chain restaurant or maybe even a gas station, you may have some understanding of how it works.

Are you trying to help your child become more independent in their daily living skills, such as brushing their teeth, putting on their...

Have you ever asked your child this question: why did you do that? 9 times out of 10 they will not know how to answer this honestly and ultimately it could lead to levels of more frustration because you won’t have the answer you’re looking for. Well here are some questions to ask yourself that can help you find your why.