The other day, my kids and I sat down with a notebook and tried to write out every rule they’re expected to remember. It started as a simple exercise, sparked by a moment of frustration, yet it quickly turned into something eye-opening. We got to 90. Ninety rules. And we weren’t even done.

Don’t interrupt. Use a quiet voice inside. Wash your hands. Sit still. Try your best. Make eye contact. Don’t forget your lunch. Say thank you. Use two hands. Raise your hand. Walk, don’t run. Share. Clean up your mess. Be kind. Be respectful. Listen the first time. Stay in your seat. Follow directions. Be safe. The list went on and on.

It’s no wonder our kids sometimes feel overwhelmed.

We often talk about how overwhelming it is to be a parent, and that’s very, very real. But it’s also overwhelming to be a child. Especially one who is still developing emotional regulation skills, impulse control, and the ability to self-monitor. Our kids are growing up in environments filled with structure, expectations, transitions, and sensory stimulation. And they’re trying so hard to get it right.

Rules, while of course necessary, can start to pile up and feel like a mountain they must constantly climb (and keep track of!). One moment they’re being praised for using kind words; the next, they’re being reminded (again) to use a napkin, sit still, or keep their hands to themselves. It’s a lot. Even when we offer those reminders gently, the cumulative effect can be exhausting, especially for sensitive or neurodivergent kids.

From a gentle and mindful parenting perspective, our role isn’t to eliminate the rules. It’s to create space for how hard it is to learn and remember them. To meet our children’s overwhelm with softness, not more demands. To recognize that what looks like defiance is often emotional dysregulation or sensory overload. And sometimes, the most supportive thing we can offer isn’t correction, it’s connection.

This is where calming rituals, like family tea time, become powerful tools for emotional regulation and nervous system support.

Tea Time as a Reset Button for Overwhelmed Kids

When everything feels too much (too loud! too fast! too full!) tea time offers a soft landing. A warm mug. A familiar rhythm. A chance to pause. No lessons. No reminders. No rules to follow, just an invitation to rest, breathe, and know you are loved.

At Little Love Teas, our herbal blends are crafted with this exact moment in mind. Using child-friendly herbs like chamomile, lavender, rose, and California poppy, our teas gently support the nervous system while creating an anchor of connection. Through a calming bedtime routine with Sleepyhead tea, a reset after a tough school day with I Love You tea, or a quiet moment in the middle of sibling squabbles, tea time can help children feel safe, centered, and seen.

These simple rituals send a powerful message: You are more than your behavior. You are not alone in this. And even when the world feels full of rules, there is always room for rest.

With gentle parenting, we are striving not for perfection, but presence and connection. Not just correcting behavior, but nurturing the whole child.

It’s not magic, nor is it allowing inappropriate behavior. It’s showing up. And in a world of ninety rules and counting, that kind of presence means everything.