Navigating the ‘Flipped Lid’ with Confidence

The ‘Flipped Lid’ is a helpful way to understand why children can look like they’re “not listening” or “not caring” when emotions run high. During stress, the brain shifts away from thinking and problem-solving and into protection mode. In these moments, children may fight, flee, freeze, or shut down — and it’s not a choice in the way we often assume.

In this webinar, we’ll break down the basic brain model (Upstairs vs. Downstairs brain) and what happens during escalation. You’ll learn common triggers (fatigue, hunger, transitions, sensory overload, anxiety, sibling conflict, school stress) and the “body signs” that show up before behaviour does.

We’ll teach a clear step-by-step approach for what to say and do when the lid flips, including co-regulation strategies that help children return to calm and regain access to words, listening, and problem-solving. We’ll also cover what to do after the incident — how to repair, teach skills, and build emotional literacy over time.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this webinar, parents will be able to:

• Explain the ‘Flipped Lid’ in simple terms and understand why logic and consequences often fail during a meltdown.
• Identify their child’s top triggers and early body signs of escalation.
• Use a practical “first-response” script for co-regulation (connect first, then redirect).
• Help a child label feelings and move from reaction to reflection using a short, repeatable approach.
• Use a brief post-incident repair conversation to build skills and reduce repeat blow-ups over time.

Parent engagement activity (during the webinar)

The Hand Model of the Brain

• Understanding how the brain works in relation to behaviour

Parents will complete a quick “Flipped Lid Map”:

• Top 3 triggers (when/where it happens)
• Early body signs (what you notice first)
• What makes it worse (common parent traps)
• What helps (3 calming supports that work)

Parents will also write two ready-to-use phrases:

• A “connect” phrase (to calm and validate)
• A “boundary” phrase (to hold the limit without escalating)

Join Quirky Kid Pyschologist Suzan Odemis to feel more confident in the toughest parenting moments — and to learn a clear, compassionate approach that supports emotional regulation while keeping boundaries strong.