Ever feel like your 5-year-old is all over the place? One minute they yell, then they’re in tears. They interrupt, tell wild stories, cling to you, and two minutes later insist they can do it all themselves. It’s not bad behavior. It’s not personal. It’s development. At age 5, their brains are still wiring up things like impulse control, emotional regulation, and flexible thinking. What looks like rudeness or rebellion is often just a child doing the best they can with a nervous system still under construction. ✨ This post breaks down what’s actually developmentally normal at 5, and how we can meet it with connection, not control. If you’re raising a 5–12-year old, my new book Big Kids, Bigger Feelings gives you tools, scripts, and nervous system strategies to navigate the meltdowns, defiance, and everyday emotional chaos without losing your cool. 📘 Comment: BOOK to preorder now and start raising confident, connected kids in a complex world.