Struggling with constant sibling fights? Learn how to help siblings get along when one is dysregulated as Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, expert in Regulation First Parenting™, shares practical strategies to calm nervous systems, restore connection, and support every child’s emotional growth.

Feeling stuck in constant sibling fights? You’re not alone. When one child is dysregulated, it can feel like refereeing a never-ending WWE match in your own home. But the good news? This isn’t about bad behavior—it’s about nervous system regulation.

In this episode, I break down why sibling conflict happens, how emotional dysregulation impacts neurotypical siblings, and practical strategies for supporting siblings so the whole family can feel safer, calmer, and more connected.

Why does my child fight more with their sibling than others?

Sibling conflict isn’t just about personality clashes—it’s often a nervous system issue. When one child’s brain is dysregulated, impulse control drops and neutral interactions can feel threatening. This stress spreads across the family, impacting other children and family dynamics.

Key takeaways:

1. Regulate first: Calm the dysregulated child before problem-solving.
2. Name it: Explain, “Your sibling’s brain is having a hard time—it’s not because of you.”
3. Protect siblings: Give safe spaces, predictable attention, and permission to step away.

Parent example: One mom noticed her neurotypical child withdrawing during board games while her dysregulated younger child exploded. Simply creating a calm, structured activity time reduced tension and restored connection.

How can I support my child while still giving attention to their sibling?

It’s tempting to split attention equally, but equity doesn’t mean identical. A struggling child may need tailored support, while other kids still need recognition to avoid resentment.

Tips for practice:

1. Schedule one-on-one time with each child, even 10–15 minutes daily.
2. Use family routines and predictable activities to lower stress for the entire family.
3. Normalize dysregulation: “We all have hard moments—brains get overwhelmed.”

🗣️ “Sibling conflict isn’t about fairness. It’s about felt safety. When one child's nervous system is on fire, everyone else really can be struggling too.” — Dr. Roseann

Quick CALM is a powerful tool for families. It helps kids take deep breaths, regulate emotions, and reset their nervous system before tension escalates.

What strategies actually reduce sibling tension in daily life?

Focusing on regulation rather than punishment changes the game. Instead of forcing apologies or correcting behavior in the moment, lead with calm.

Practical strategies:

1. Regulate first, teach later: One calm response can shift the whole family’s...

Device Dysregulation™ can leave children overstimulated, anxious, and struggling to calm their brains after screen use. In this episode, Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, expert in Regulation First Parenting™, explains how screens impact emotional regulation and shares strategies to help kids reset and thrive.

Parenting with constant screens can feel overwhelming. You’re not alone. Post-pandemic, many kids became overstimulated from online learning and social media, leaving parents unsure how to help.

Device dysregulation isn’t just screen time—it’s a brain stuck in high alert, craving dopamine, and losing tolerance for calm.

In this episode, you’ll learn why kids get stuck in device dysregulation, how to prevent emotional dysregulation, and concrete strategies for transitions, boundaries, and sensory resets that make real change possible.

Why does my child meltdown when I ask them to put the device down?

Meltdowns aren’t defiance—they’re the nervous system signaling overwhelm. Rapid-fire entertainment, dopamine spikes, and addictive social media can keep the brain in a constant high alert, often leading to emotion regulation difficultiesand maladaptive emotion regulation strategies.

These challenges affect children’s emotional responses, increase negative emotions, and in some cases can mimic symptoms seen in mental disorders or contribute to problematic internet use.

Tips for parents:

1. Co-regulate first: Model calm so your child can borrow your regulation and practice healthier emotion regulation strategies.
2. Avoid personalization: Their reactions aren’t about you—they’re dysregulated.
3. Predictable boundaries: Set device limits before the screen is on to reduce conflict and support consistent, regulated emotional responses.

Real-Life Example: Eli, a 12-year-old, became irritable and anxious post-pandemic. Consistent screen limits and calm parental cues helped him power down without daily battles.

How can I help my child regulate after excessive screen time?

Transitions from screens are tricky because the brain is overstimulated. Without grounding, kids and young adults can struggle with emotional awareness, executive functioning, and attention, increasing the risk of temper tantrums, negative emotional states, and experiencing negative emotions.

Practical strategies:

1. Sensory transitions: Jumping jacks, cold water, a sensory snack, or barefoot walks reset the nervous system.
2. Model coping: Show how you unplug and shift focus calmly.
3. Gradual transitions: Use timers and warnings for device cutoff to reduce experiencing negative emotions and prevent meltdowns.

If you’re tired of walking on eggshells or feeling like nothing works…

Get the FREE Regulation Rescue Kit and finally learn what to say and do in the heat of the moment.

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Meltdowns and mood swings can leave parents feeling stuck and overwhelmed. This episode unpacks meltdowns, mood swings, and the nervous system no one is talking about, showing why behavior escalates. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, Regulation First Parenting™ expert, explains how calming the brain creates real change.

If you’re exhausted by constant meltdowns, mood swings, and reactions that make no sense, you’re not failing—your child’s nervous system is overwhelmed.

This episode unpacks meltdowns, mood swings, and the nervous system no one is talking about and shows where real change begins.

Why does my child melt down even when nothing “big” happened?

Many parents are shocked by emotional outbursts that seem to come out of nowhere—especially after school or during simple transitions. What’s often happening isn’t defiance, but nervous system dysregulation.

When a child’s nervous system is stuck in survival mode—also called fight or flight or sympathetic overdrive—their brain can’t process logic, rules, or consequences.

Key takeaways:

1. Behavior is communication, not manipulation
2. A dysregulated brain repeats patterns—healthy or unhealthy
3. Calm isn’t the goal—flexibility is

Example: Your child explodes over homework. Their prefrontal cortex is offline, not their motivation.

Why doesn’t traditional discipline work during emotional dysregulation?

Most parenting advice starts after the nervous system is already on fire. Charts, rewards, and consequences fail because a dysregulated autonomic nervous system can’t learn.

Discipline without regulation feels like a threat, while discipline after regulation becomes guidance.

Remember:

1. A stressed brain can’t self-regulate
2. Discipline before regulation escalates power struggles
3. Regulation first restores access to impulse control

It’s not bad parenting—it’s a dysregulated brain.

Want to stay calm when your child pushes every button?

Become a Dysregulation Insider VIP and get the FREE Regulation Rescue Kit—your step-by-step guide to stop oppositional behaviors without yelling or giving in.

Go to www.drroseann.com/newsletter and grab your kit today.

What’s actually happening in my child’s brain during mood swings?

When stress hormones flood the brain and nervous system, the amygdala hijacks behavior and shuts down executive function. This affects emotional regulation, mood swings, sleep, immune function, and learning.

Over time, chronic stress leads to:

1. Shorter fuses and bigger reactions
2. Trouble with impulse control