Crazy to Calm Parenting Journal

You see, my son was flagged with sensory processing issues when he was just six months old. Panicked and confused by this diagnosis, I bombarded his physical and occupational therapists with questions about his future: What does this mean? Will he have trouble in school or with making friends? What will this look like when he’s older? Will he be… OK? His therapists did their best to answer, but I still couldn’t quite grasp what we were dealing with.

Enter toddlerhood. His therapists’ warning that my son would have more frequent and intense meltdowns than a typically developing child took on a whole new meaning. Frequent and intense? Try constant and explosive! Let’s just say that our household was far from the picture of calm.

Trying to understand his triggers and find effective interventions to help him stay regulated (and me sane) became a full-time job. And I felt like I was constantly failing. When I voiced my feelings of overwhelm to his occupational therapist, she suggested I “track” his behaviors, along with my accompanying interventions.

I looked high and low for a behavioral tracking tool that would help me make sense of my son’s behavior, but came up empty. So, I decided to make my own. That’s how the Crazy to Calm Parenting Journal was born. My goal is to make it easier for parents like me - like YOU - to understand and meet our child’s needs. To replace our “crazy” households with a sense of calm.

Why Journal?

Even though it may seem like your child is acting out on purpose just to ruin your life, I promise, he isn’t! And even though it may seem like there’s no rhyme or reason for his meltdowns, I promise, their is! When you start tracking your child’s triggers, his behaviors, and your reactions and interventions, you’ll start to notice patterns and will be able to intervene more effectively. Fun fact: Studies have shown that the emotional release from journaling lowers anxiety and stress, as well as induces better sleep. Using the Crazy to Calm Parenting Journal will not only improve your child’s well-being, it will improve yours too!

How to Use

The journal can be used for both short-term behavioral regressions as well as chronic behavioral issues.

Short-term behavioral regressions: As soon as you notice your child’s behavior going south, grab the trusty journal and start tracking. Plan on tracking daily for at least two weeks at which point you can flip back through your detailed log, get to the root of your child’s challenging behaviors, and identify which interventions worked best.

Once your child’s unfavorable behavior subsides, you can put the journal back in your nightstand until the next regression hits.

Chronic behavioral issues: Get in the habit of using the journal daily and indefinitely. At the end of each week, go back through the log and identify any patterns. Share it weekly with your child’s therapist so you’re on the same page and can collaborate on the most effective home strategies to try.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Special Time?
It’s a daily scheduled and specified amount of uninterrupted one-on-one tie with your child. During this time, you enter his world and give him your full, undivided attention. If done consistently for 15 minutes a day, it will be your number one, game-changing behavioral intervention. Click here for more details.

What are some sample mantras?
I am a calm mom.
I can do hard things.
My child is my greatest teacher.
I have enough, I do enough, I AM enough.
I am a good-enough mother.
I am doing my best.
This too shall pass.
All behavior is communication.
If I want to change my child, change myself.
I am responsive, not reactive.

What if I miss a day?
No problem! The motto here is “progress not perfection!” Just pick up where you left off. Don’t let your child’s challenging behaviors set the tone in your household. It’s time to figure this out so you can feel connected to your child and actually enjoy parenting.

You’ve got this, mamas! A calmer household, a calmer child and a calmer YOU are coming your way soon.