In Norfolk County, a shift in parenting philosophy is taking root. More and more caregivers are turning away from traditional discipline and embracing emotional connection and co-regulation to raise mentally healthy children. Registered psychotherapist (qualifying) Emily Landon of Norfolk County Counselling and Psychotherapy is among those leading this movement.
With a background in psychology, neuroscience, and counselling, Landon understands just how deeply children feel. She says there’s a common misperception that kids are being dramatic, misbehaving, or simply seeking attention. But what adults often miss—whether parents, caregivers, or teachers—is that these behaviours are actually a child’s way of trying to communicate.
According to Landon, behaviours like tantrums or defiance aren’t problems to be punished—they’re signs that something deeper is going on. Feelings aren’t something that need to be fixed; they’re something that need to be understood.
The key is for parents to remain calm and present.
This process, called co-regulation, means showing up for your child with empathy instead of anger. Landon qualified this by stressing “gentle parenting” doesn’t mean being permissive.
She adds that holding boundaries with love, helps raise secure and emotionally intelligent children.
Landon encourages self-compassion, especially for parents learning new ways to cope. Mistakes are part of the journey. Apologizing after raising your voice or misstepping helps children learn how to handle conflict and builds secure attachment.
Support systems matter. Whether it’s counselling, peer support, or community resources, parents don’t have to navigate this work alone. Norfolk County Counselling and Psychotherapy offers services to help caregivers develop emotional tools and manage the often unseen load they carry.
At the heart of this approach is the goal of raising well-adjusted adults—not just well-behaved children.
For more information on therapy or parenting support, contact Norfolk County Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Written by Jeremy Hall