Stonewall therapist and mother Amy Friesen knows firsthand how overwhelming big emotions can feel for children — and how much they rely on trusted adults to help them feel safe.
That understanding is what led Friesen to create Together in Calm, a printable parent-and-child co-regulation colouring book designed to help families slow down, connect and navigate emotions together.
The idea began taking shape while Friesen was on maternity leave, initially as a meaningful project to occupy her time. But it quickly grew into something deeper, drawing from both her professional work with children and teens and her experiences at home with her own boys.
“In my practice, I was consistently seeing children with big feelings who needed simple, shared ways to process them with their caregivers,” Friesen said. “At the same time, with my seven-year-old, I noticed how much he craved my presence when he was working through emotions — not just my help or instruction.”
Rather than one defining moment, Friesen said the book emerged from many small, everyday experiences: sitting beside her son while he coloured, slowing down together at bedtime or staying calm during difficult moments. Those moments reinforced for her how powerful simple connection can be — especially in a world filled with distractions.
“With increased work demands and the constant pull of phones and screens, it’s easy to miss just how much kids crave our attention and presence,” she said. “I wanted to create something tangible that gently invites families to pause, set aside distractions and simply be with their children.”
While there are many tools available to teach children coping skills, Friesen noticed most place the responsibility on children to regulate their emotions independently. She felt something important was missing.
“There are many wonderful resources, but they often focus on what the child should do on their own,” she said. “What I was seeing is that kids don’t just need strategies — they need reassurance, presence and co-regulation with a trusted adult.”
Co-regulation, she explained, is especially important for younger children whose brains and nervous systems are still developing. When children experience repeated moments of being soothed and supported by a calm adult, they gradually learn how to regulate their own emotions over time.
“When a parent stays close, speaks calmly and sits with their child through big emotions, the child learns those feelings aren’t dangerous and that they don’t have to face them alone,” Friesen said. “That experience literally helps shape how their brain learns to handle stress.”
Each page of Together in Calm pairs a cozy animal colouring sheet for children with a simple guidance page for parents, offering gentle prompts such as noticing body sensations or taking slow breaths together. Families are encouraged to colour side by side, with conversation unfolding naturally — or not at all.
“The focus isn’t on doing it right,” Friesen said. “It’s about shared presence. Sometimes there’s talking, sometimes there isn’t, and both are OK.”
The book is best suited for children between the ages of four and 10 and is designed to be used together during calm moments, bedtime wind-downs or when emotions begin to feel overwhelming.
Although the book is still new, early feedback has been encouraging. One parent told Friesen the activities helped them slow down during a stressful moment and respond with calm connection instead of frustration — a response that stayed with her.
“That really reminded me that sometimes the simplest tools can make a meaningful difference,” she said.
The project closely reflects Friesen’s therapeutic approach at Stonewall Counselling Center, where she prioritizes empathy, relationship-based support and creative, play-based methods to help children feel safe with their emotions.
“This book isn’t about fixing children or pushing better behaviour,” she said. “It’s about understanding, connection and presence — and helping families bring those values into everyday life.”
Above all, Friesen hopes families who use Together in Calm walk away feeling closer to one another.
“Kids just want to feel seen, heard and safe,” she said. “Life gets busy, stress builds and our attention gets pulled in a hundred directions. That doesn’t make anyone a bad parent — it’s just reality.”
Her hope is that even a few minutes spent colouring together can give families permission to slow down and reconnect.
“If there’s one feeling I’d love families to leave with, it’s that quiet sense of warmth and closeness,” she said. “That feeling of sitting side by side and knowing, we’re in this together.”
Together in Calm is available as a digital download on Etsy, allowing families to print and use the pages at home. Friesen said families who prefer not to order through Etsy can also contact her directly by email to arrange access.
