Navigating Anger and Stress

As teachers and parents, we often find ourselves on the emotional frontlines—tasked not only with managing our own feelings, but also supporting the emotional wellbeing of the children and teens in our care. Whether it’s the constant hum of classroom demands or the unpredictable challenges of home life, stress can build quickly. Add anger—our own or theirs—and the load can feel overwhelming.

Maintaining calm while navigating outbursts, conflict, and frustration can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. It's no wonder many of us feel exhausted, disheartened, and powerless at times. But amidst the chaos, there is a way through.

By focusing on a few essential emotional foundations, we can begin to reduce conflict, build resilience, and create more harmony in our classrooms and homes. Below, I’ve shared three key principles that have transformed the way I—and those I work with—approach anger and stress.

Self-love isn’t a fluffy buzzword—it’s a core requirement for emotional resilience, and your basic right to survival.

For teachers and parents alike, it starts with recognising your worth beyond your role. When you practise self-compassion and prioritise your own wellbeing, you're more able to stay grounded during stressful moments. Instead of reacting out of frustration or guilt, you respond with calm and clarity.

And importantly, when children see the adults around them honouring their emotional needs and showing kindness to themselves, they learn to do the same. You become a mirror of what healthy emotional regulation looks like.

💡 Try this: Carve out a small daily practice just for yourself—journaling, walking, or even pausing for three deep breaths between daily tasks.

When you’re clear about what truly matters to you, your responses become more intentional—and less reactive.

Values act like an emotional compass. In moments of conflict or pressure, they guide you back to your core. As a teacher or parent, this alignment helps reduce internal friction and increases your confidence when setting boundaries, making decisions, or handling emotionally charged situations.

When children see you acting in alignment with your values—whether it’s respect, fairness, honesty, or compassion—they’re more likely to connect with and adopt those values themselves.

💡 Try this: Take a few minutes to reflect on your top 3 values. Ask yourself: “Am I living these daily?” and “How do they show up in my parenting or teaching?”

Stress and anger often arise when our needs go unmet—but many adults struggle to identify what those needs even are.

As teachers and parents, we're used to putting others first. But you can’t pour from an empty cup. When you learn to recognise your emotional, physical, and relational needs, you can begin to meet them proactively rather than reactively.

Not only does this reduce resentment and burnout, but it also equips you to help children recognise and articulate their needs—creating more emotional fluency and less conflict.

💡 Try this: At the end of each day, ask yourself: “What did I need more of today?” and “What can I do tomorrow to meet that need?”