Polyvagal Parenting

Forward by Stephen W. Porges, PhD

Creator of Polyvagal Theory

You don’t have to be perfect. You never did.

What if ‘showing up’ was more important than following a parenting script?

Discover the science-backed way to raise an emotionally secure child in an increasingly anxious world.

Have you ever felt judged as a parent?
Do you feel like hiding in the supermarket aisle when your child has a tantrum?
Do you feel like small routines suddenly spiral into a meltdown?
Getting dressed. Leaving the house. Turning off devices.

If any of this feels familiar, Polyvagal Parenting offers a different way of understanding these moments. Psychologist, Paul North, pediatrician, Dr Lydia So and performance consultant, Michael Allison teach the science of safety – helping you to make sense of these moments and giving you the tools to respond to your child in ways that calm, connect, and support emotional regulation.

“The translational value of this work is profound…Through examples and exercises, the book helps readers feel what safety looks like, sounds like, and feels like in the body.”

“Whether you are a therapist working with families or a parent, this book is a must have.”

“This important book reminds us of our most essential role as parents: helping our children feel safe.”

“For parents, clinicians, and educators, seeking a grounded, scientifically informed pathway to healing and connection, this book will stand out as essential.”

“This is the kind of guidance every parent needs – not just to navigate challenges, but to raise resilient, emotionally secure kids who can thrive from the inside out.”

Understand the real reason behind your child’s behavior
Recognize when your child feels safe, stressed, or overwhelmed
Respond in ways that calm your child instead of escalating conflict
Regulate your own nervous system during difficult parenting moments
Use coregulation to help your child recover from stress
Strengthen your child’s resilience through everyday interactions
Apply practical tools that move your child from meltdown to calm
Create a home environment where children naturally feel safe and connected

This Polyvagal Parenting Companion
Resource is a 28‑page resource to get you
started on how to become a polyvagal
parent. It includes tips for coregulation,
creating connection with your child,
gentle nutrition, and a starting place for
understanding how your nervous system
responds to threat.

Our beautifully illustrated children’s book
is loved by parents as a way to help their
child face emotional challenges.
Endorsed by Stephen Porges, PhD and
Mona Delahooke, PhD. ‘Safe and Sound
showcases the Polyvagal perspective
translated into child‑friendly language
that will surely comfort all children facing
emotional storms, while guiding their
loving parents at the same time.’

Written in response to families who
wanted to get the most out of the
children’s book, this 11‑page companion
guide introduces strategies that are
covered in depth in our Polyvagal
Parenting book. This companion guide
with the children’s book are perfect
resources to go alongside Polyvagal
Parenting, showing you through a
relatable story how you and your child
can work through emotional challenges.