“Mum, you’re always so stressed!”
Maybe you’ve heard it. Maybe you’ve felt it. That quiet sting when your child points out what you already know deep down, you’re running on empty.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or someone who supports children every day, there are moments (or entire weeks) when you just feel done. You’re emotionally drained, your patience is thin, and even the smallest thing, like a pair of shoes left in the hallway, can tip you over the edge.
If you’ve ever found yourself googling “how to manage your energy around kids,” hoping for a magic fix, you’re not alone. And while there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, there is something powerful you can explore: your internal energy.
The Part No One Talks about…
When we think of energy, we often think of sleep, coffee, or a few minutes alone in the loo (if you’re lucky). But what if there’s another kind of energy we’re not talking about enough? One that doesn’t depend on how many hours you slept or how loud the classroom was?
I’m currently reading the book, ‘The Untethered Soul’ by Michael Singer, and in chapter 5, he talks about this idea of infinite energy. He says we all have access to a natural flow of energy inside us, it’s only when we get stuck in our heads or caught up in emotions that it gets blocked.
This hit me. Because isn’t that exactly what happens when we’re with kids?
We care so deeply, we try so hard, and then somewhere in the middle of juggling their needs, emotions, and behaviours… we forget to breathe. We hold onto the frustration. The guilt. The “why can’t I just stay calm?” narrative that loops in our mind.
And suddenly, we’re exhausted. Not just physically, energetically.
Your Energy Matters (More Than You Realise)
Here’s what I’ve come to believe…when it comes to raising or teaching children, your energy is everything.
Kids don’t always hear your words. But they feel your energy. And when you’re running low, tired, overwhelmed, mentally scattered… they feel that too.
Knowing how to manage your energy around kids isn’t just a self-care strategy. It’s part of how we connect, communicate, and co-regulate with them.
So What Can We Do?
Let’s not overcomplicate this. You don’t need a silent retreat or a week off in the Maldives (though that would be nice, right!?). You just need to create tiny moments of internal reset.
This is one of my go-to resets when I’m feeling drained, and it forms part of the M.Y.T.E toolkit too:
Name it: Take a second and silently say what you’re feeling. “I feel tense. I feel tired. I feel burnt-out.”
Notice it: Where is it in your body? Is your chest tight? Shoulders tense? Just notice. No fixing yet.
Breathe through it: Inhale slowly for 4… exhale for a count of 6. Repeat this a few times over. Imagine your breath is unblocking stuck energy like water flowing through a stream.
Say to yourself: “It’s okay to pause. I’m allowed to let go.”
This isn’t about pretending to be calm or putting on a brave face. It’s about creating a small pocket of awareness, so the energy that’s meant to flow through you can actually do just that.
When you start practicing this (and encouraging your kids to as well), something amazing happens. You start to feel lighter… not because your circumstances changed, but because your energy wasn’t stuck.
EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique)
Another powerful energy-based tool is EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), often called ‘tapping’. It’s a gentle, evidence-based practice where you tap on specific points on the body (similar to acupressure) while tuning into thoughts or feelings. It helps release emotional stress, calm the nervous system, and get your energy flowing again.
EFT is part of the M.Y.T.E toolkit, and we use it with children and teens because it’s simple, calming, and helps them feel more in control of their emotions—even in the middle of big feelings. It’s like giving them (and you) a reset button for the mind and body.
The Truth Is…
Children will always need us. They will always be messy, emotional, and wonderfully unpredictable.
But we don’t have to meet their chaos with our own inner chaos.
Learning how to manage your energy around kids is a practice. One you’ll get better at over time. And every time you pause, breathe, and let go, you create a little space for calm to return… for both of you.
Want To Help Your Kids Manage Their Own Energy too?
Check out our very own M.Y.T.E (Manage Your Thoughts and Emotions) programmes, built around the M.Y.T.E Toolkit. They’re packed with simple, engaging tools that help children and teens manage their thoughts, emotions, and energy—in real life, in real moments. Because when they learn to handle what’s going on inside them, life gets easier, for everyone.
Explore the M.Y.T.E Programmes today and see the difference it can make—one small shift at a time.