Kids Never Melt Down…
…said no parent ever!
If you are a parent, or you have been around kids, or you are human…you know that kids have meltdowns. This is a fact. Their minds and bodies are unable, at times, to tolerate the ups and downs of life. They meltdown; yelling, screaming, rolling on the floor, crying. However, for children who have experienced attachment trauma, meltdowns can be much more. Their meltdowns can last hours and escalate quickly to violence, which is much more than a “typical” child meltdown or tantrum. Meltdowns in children with a history of attachment trauma can be viewed as a child version of a panic attack. The child is stuck in survival mode and cannot calm down until the panic passes.
This video is a conversation between Ann Potter, PhD. and her daughter, Molly, who is now a young adult. Molly and Dr. Potter experienced many meltdowns as Molly was growing up. In this video, you will hear from Dr. Potter and Molly as they discuss meltdowns from the point of view of the parent and the child. This video gives great insight into the true “Anatomy of a Meltdown.” We encourage you to watch this video and share it with anyone who has a child who struggles with meltdowns.
Ann Potter, PhD. and her daughter created “The Anatomy of a Meltdown” to help parents and clinicians understand, manage, and repair meltdowns. You can learn more about “The Anatomy of a Meltdown” in our Integrative Parenting Class, found on our website,
