1

"You're really upset right now. I'm not going anywhere."

No fixing, no negotiating — just naming what's happening and staying steady through it.

2

"I can see this is really hard for you right now."

Names the feeling without judging it — the first step before anything else can land.

3

"It's okay to feel upset. It's not okay to hit."

Holds the boundary and the warmth at the same time — one doesn't cancel the other.

4

"I'm going to stay right here until you're ready."

Kids co-regulate off you — staying present, not walking away, is what actually helps them come back down.

5

"Let's take a breath together."

An invitation, not a command — and it regulates you too, which is half the battle.

Want the full script library?

These 5 are just the start. The Ultimate Guide has real scripts for tantrums, bedtime battles, sibling fights, and more.