The H.O.R.N. Method — Tip For Managing Overwhelm
When we get overwhelmed, our brain gets faster and our fuse gets shorter.
The H.O.R.N. Method, developed by Erik Cooper, LMFT, and Lindsey Ermatinger, LPC, is a quick tip to help with emotional regulation. Helpful for just about anyone but especially overwhelmed parents.
Let’s picture the scene: it’s a random Tuesday morning.
You have a 6 month old who is teething and has an uncanny ability of waking you up at the exact moment you were able to close your eyes. Night after night of this, you hardly know your name anymore.
It’s 6:30am, your 7 year old just found out about Pokémon and keeps showing you video edits about Squirtle and asking you about what kind powers you would have as a Pokémon while spilling their milk and cereal all over the kitchen table, the floor, AND themselves.
Your 4 year old has bedhead in a way you didn’t even realize hair could arrange itself but they’ve decided your hands are made of lava and they would rather scream bloody murder than have you touch their hair.
Whew. It’s not even 7am.
Here is where the H.O.R.N. method might be useful.
Like any skill, H.O.R.N. works best when we practice it outside of crisis moments. Try using it during small moments of frustration so it becomes easier to access when things feel overwhelming.
If this was helpful, this is just one of the strategies from our Intentional Parenting Workshop where caregivers walk away with more understanding about themselves, family dynamics, their child’s development, as well as practical parenting tools to work into their already existing parenting styles. You can find more information about it, including FAQs via the button below.
Check out our calendar to see when you can attend our next workshop. Offered the 1st Saturday of the month.
*some dates may vary
