
#272: Self Care - Not Neglecting Our Own Needs - Emotional Self-Regulation - Part One
The Simplicity Parenting Podcast with Kim John PayneShow Notes
In the first of a five-part series on Emotional Self-Regulation, Kim John Payne reflects on the quiet power of micro self-care - small, intentional moments that help parents replenish their emotional reserves. He shares how the early demands of parenting often push self-care to the margins, yet carving out even brief pauses to do something nourishing can build a foundation for greater resilience. Whether it’s a mindful walk, a short moment with a book, or simply sitting with a cup of tea, these gentle rituals can grow over time and help us stay emotionally steady amidst the ups and downs of family life. Kim reminds us that caring for ourselves is not selfish, but essential to being present and attuned with our children.
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In this episode, Kim John Payne introduces “tone and timing coaching," a simple way to help children (and ourselves) get the tone right when what's said comes out rude, fresh, aggressive, or grumpy. He explains that the content of a child's message is often perfectly fine; it's the delivery that isn't helpful. Since these moments arise multiple times every day, they offer countless opportunities to help children learn attunement: sensing the right time to speak and the right way to say something. Kim frames this as tuning an instrument, and notes that a sense of timing and tone will serve children well in friendships, at school, and crucially in their future adult lives.
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Correction: the Care Professionals Seminar dates in this episode are Saturday and Sunday, August 1st and 2nd, 2026 (not July). Registration closes July 31st: Click here to register