• Chapter 1: Understanding Big Feelings This chapter explains the difference between a tantrum and a meltdown, highlighting that big emotions are often too much for a child's developing brain to handle.

• Chapter 2: The Core Philosophy: Connection Before Correction The core philosophy of the book is to first connect with a child's emotions by validating their feelings, which serves as a bridge to guide them back to a state of calm.

• Chapter 3: The Good Little Souls Behavior Manager Tool This chapter introduces a three-step tool that helps parents in the moment by diagnosing the problem, connecting on the child’s level, and providing a script with actionable solutions.

• Chapter 4: Proactive Strategies: Preventing Meltdowns This chapter focuses on proactive strategies to prevent meltdowns before they start, such as establishing routines, teaching emotional vocabulary, and filling a child’s emotional tank.

• Chapter 5: In the Moment: De-escalating a Crisis When a crisis does occur, the parent's role is to be a steady, calm presence by offering a safe space and using simple language.

• Chapter 6: Post-Crisis: Repair and Reflection After a big feeling has passed, this chapter teaches the importance of repairing the connection through a hug, apologizing if necessary, and having a gentle conversation to help the child build coping skills.

• Chapter 7: The Power of Stories Stories are presented as a non-threatening way to teach children about emotions, as they can learn that their feelings are normal by reading about characters who experience similar situations.

• Chapter 8: Building a Positive Environment Ultimately, a heart-centered approach is about creating a positive environment—both at home and in a personal sense—where a child feels safe to express their emotions and behavior is seen as communication.

• Chapter 9: What Does It Mean To Be Heart-Centered This final chapter defines being a heart-centered parent as a proactive choice to approach every interaction with love and empathy, and emphasizes the importance of a parent's own self-regulation

Sample from Chapter 1: Understanding Big Feelings

Before we can manage a child's behavior, we must first understand the feelings that drive it. A child's brain is still developing, especially the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for impulse control, decision-making, and emotional regulation. This means that a child having a meltdown isn't simply being "bad"; they are experiencing emotions that are too big for their current developmental capacity to handle. Our role is to be their guide and co-regulator.

Sample from the End of Chapter 9: What Does It Mean To Be Heart-Centered

Once you have grounded yourself, you are ready to approach your child from a place of calm. Get down to their eye level to show them that you are present and focused on them. Your physical posture communicates that you are not a towering, threatening figure, but a safe and loving guide. The goal is not to immediately stop the behavior, but to first connect with the emotion. You might say, "I see you’re feeling really angry right now," or "That’s so frustrating". By naming their emotion, you’re giving them the language to understand what’s happening inside them, which is the first step toward self-regulation.

Ultimately, the goal of heart-centered parenting is to raise emotionally intelligent children who feel secure in their love and confident in their ability to handle life’s challenges. The most powerful tool you have is your own calm presence. By modeling self-regulation and connecting with your child’s heart, you teach them that all feelings are valid, and that they are safe to feel them. This creates a legacy of love, respect, and emotional resilience that will serve them for a lifetime.