Missed/ Mothers of Incarcerated Sons: Strong, Empowered, Determined

06/17/2026

Every parent knows that moment.

You ask your child to get dressed, start their homework, turn off a game, or do something they have done a hundred times before.

Instead, they refuse, argue, ignore you, or seem determined to make a simple task difficult.

In those moments, it is easy to think they are being stubborn.

Sometimes they are.

But sometimes something else is going on.

They might be anxious, overwhelmed, exhausted, struggling with change, worried about getting something wrong, or simply carrying more than they can manage.

Children do not always have the words to say, "I am overwhelmed."

Often, they show us instead.

None of this makes parenting easier. Boundaries still matter. Expectations still matter.

But understanding what may be underneath a child's behaviour can completely change how we respond - and how they feel about themselves.

A reminder many of us need from time to time.

❤️

Free WHAT LOOKS LIKE STUBBORNNESS MAY BE OVERWHELM PRINTABLE PDF

LIKE the photo and comment "STUBBORN" and we will send you a message with a link to a free PDF of this resource.

06/17/2026

Comment WORKBOOK if you want the link to this coping skills workbook and I’ll send it to you.

You know the student who is clearly upset… but when you ask what is wrong, they shrug, shut down, lash out, or say, “I don’t know.”

A lot of kids are feeling big emotions without having the words or tools to explain what is happening inside.

That is where this feelings and coping skills workbook helps.

Each section focuses on a different emotion and walks students through what they might be feeling, what their body could be experiencing, and what they can actually do next. Instead of staying stuck in the feeling, kids practice identifying coping tools, making a plan, and choosing supportive strategies that help them calm down and move forward.

The strong visual supports make it especially helpful for students who struggle to communicate emotions, regulate behavior, or explain their needs in the moment.

Teachers use it during SEL lessons, calm corner time, counseling groups, behavior support, and individual check-ins because it gives students something concrete to work through instead of just being told to “calm down.”

The workbook includes 29 different emotions, action plan pages, printable and digital formats, and hundreds of coping tool ideas students can practice independently over time.

If helping students build emotional vocabulary and healthier coping skills would make your classroom or home feel calmer, comment WORKBOOK and I’ll send you the link.

05/12/2026

05/12/2026