Ask The Expert | When Parenting Feels Overwhelming: How to Regulate Your Emotions Before You React

Parenting can come with big emotions; frustration, guilt, exhaustion, anger, and everything in between. Sometimes, it can be hard to know what to do with those feelings before they turn into a reaction. Join our Ask The Expert session with Marissa Leufke Nasution, Psychotherapist and Counsellor from Feelosophy, as she shares practical insights on how to regulate your emotions before you react — especially during those challenging parenting moments. 💬 Have a question you've been struggling with? Ask away! Whether it's about managing anger, staying calm during your child's meltdowns, dealing with parental guilt, or simply feeling overwhelmed by parenting — this is a safe space to ask. 📅 2–8 September 2026 📱 Exclusively on theAsianparent app Drop your questions in the comments and let our expert help you navigate those overwhelming parenting moments.

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This sounds like a really useful session, especially since I find myself getting triggered over the smallest things some days, like when my boy refuses to eat his vegetables or talks back. I'm definitely going to tune in because I think learning to pause before I snap would make such a difference for both of us. The guilt afterwards is sometimes worse than the moment itself, so having someone professional walk through actual strategies sounds exactly what I need right now.

I often feel guilty after losing my temper 😭 like for example... he let his water bottle open on the bed, even after I say not to do it. ANd what happened next... you can guess lah. We got a pool since he he accidentally pour it all over the bed. I got really angry and punished him to stand on the corner. How can I manage better...

Humairah Wonderer

Excited to become a mum

1t trước

remove the choise and ability for your son to completely do sk. My kids are wayy worse. Were talking mycb bugger scale of ruins. I was still patient when ut was just my first, Now Im kn my 3rd pregnancy with 2 kids already: 3 year old and 1 year old. I get angry and frustrated mucb faster cos Im sooo tired

Hi... I get really frustrated when my child keeps ignoring me, especially when I’ve already asked nicely a few times. How's the best way to manage this? But every time i get angry at him, i feel very sad.

Currently pregnant with my 2nd... I'm so happy, but at the same time, I sometimes worry that I won’t have enough patience or emotional capacity for both my babies. My 1st is now 2 yo... Is this a normal fear??

Humairah Wonderer

Excited to become a mum

1t trước

yes. Idk why people worry more that they cant love their 2nd baby. My worry is kore kn the practical side like if both babies cry and demand for me at the same time, how will J handle? My fear did manifest irl its a true struggle haha but eventually you make do. It wint be easy

How do I know when I’m genuinely setting a boundary versus simply losing my patience? Sometimes I'm not really sure if what I'm doing is making an impact on my dauughter, or it's just pushing her away from me

Humairah Wonderer

Excited to become a mum

1t trước

dpends on your daughters age. Sometimes with lids we just have to give more grace. I started to be more firm and strict when she enters 3 years old once J realise her communication and comprehension of what I say is much better. But still, have to gjve grace and not iver scold when she behave like a kid and lose control of her emotions. Its hard, but ultinately they are still young so need to give grace. Jusf redirect her behaviour ir emotions and talk more calmly so she understands. Then divert her attention elsewhere.

Sometimes when my child has a meltdown, I feel myself getting angry too... It's such a shame i can't be the mom she needs. What can I do in the moment to stay calm instead of reacting emotionally?😭

Humairah Wonderer

Excited to become a mum

1t trước

take a deep breath and close your eyes. Haha sometimes J just stay quiet and let her meltdown, sometimesbI redurect her attention or emotion to elsewhere, sometimes I guve a comforting hyg without saying much. But Im also at times reliant on have some snacks and a small tablet when ut gets tok hard gor me. its just reality, ifk some mums are very struct abt nk devices. For me its just survival mode when J run out of optiona

I’m scared of getting angry at my child because I don’t want to hurt them emotionally. But sometimes I feel like I’m being too soft 😂 can't relaly find the balance... help

When I’m exhausted from work and parenting, even small things can trigger me. Is this normal? What should I do? Still need to work bcs... you know... I can't risk losing my income :')

Humairah Wonderer

Excited to become a mum

1t trước

walk away and take a breather. Yes fatigue will cause that. I just have to tell myself in my mind tk let it go and I can no longer be a perfectionist as a mum

When I’m exhausted from work and parenting, even small things can trigger me. What are some realistic ways to regulate my emotions when I have very little energy left?

also... I try really hard not to shout at my child, but sometimes I end up giving in instead. How can I set firm boundaries without feeling like I’m being too harsh?

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