Big Feelings? Little Steps. How Max and Me can help.

Feelings can be tricky little things. One moment you’re fine, the next—tears, tantrums, or total shutdown. But here’s the good news: emotions aren’t bad. They’re just signals. And with a little guidance, our kids (and us grown-ups too) can learn to read those signals, manage our responses, and move forward with confidence.

That’s where Max and Me comes in.

We believe emotional regulation can be simple, loving, and playful. That’s why we created the PausePad—a tool that’s easy to remember and easy to do.

🐾 Step 1: Time It (Give Yourself 24 Minutes. Max.)

Think of it like this: just 1 minute for every hour in the day. That’s all. You can take one minute, five, or all 24—but then stop. This isn’t about wallowing; it’s about creating a healthy emotional habit. We’re teaching our brains that it’s not okay to stay stuck in a bad mood all day. That little boundary makes a big difference.

Of course, if something truly sad or serious happens, you'll need more time—and that’s okay. But for everyday ups and downs, this 24-minute trick is a powerful tool. Want to make it real? Try using an old-school egg timer. Watching your “feel-it” time tick by once or twice helps you tune in, then move on.

🐾 Step 2: Name It

Naming the feeling helps regulate the nervous system. Neuroscience tells us that when we say something like “I feel sad” or “I feel nervous,” it actually reduces activity in the amygdala—the part of the brain responsible for fear and stress. Words really do help.

🐾 Step 3: Feel It

Don’t push feelings away—they don’t disappear. Instead, give them space. Let your child (or yourself) sit with the emotion for a while. When we allow ourselves to really feel it, we make space for the next feeling to arrive.

🐾 Step 4: Move It

Now it’s time to release. Movement helps shift that emotional energy. Dance it out, jump, cry, stretch, walk the dog, dig a hole, plant a seed—whatever gets the feeling moving through you. That’s where the magic happens.

🐾 Step 5: Calm It

Close the loop with comfort. A warm bath, a deep breath, a cuddle on the couch. A moment of peace. We designed our Max and Me pillow range with this step-in mind—soft, soothing, and just the right weight to help little ones (and their grown-ups) feel safe, grounded, and ready to reset. We’re in the final stages of bringing these beautiful pillows to life—and they’ll be ready for pre-orders very soon. Watch this space!