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As a psychologist, I’ve spent decades helping children and families navigate big emotions. But becoming an author wasn’t something I ever imagined for myself.
Recently, I had the privilege of joining Oceanview Therapy’s Lighthouse Spotlight Series to talk about my children’s book, Bubble Breathing Adventures: Find Your Superpower, and the story behind why I wrote it. What began as a conversation about emotional regulation quickly became a conversation about grief, resilience, parenting, and helping children discover the strengths they already have within them.
If you missed the interview, you can watch or listen to it here:
🎙️ https://www.oceanviewtherapy.com/lighthouse-spotlight-series-lisa-lovelace/
A Book Born from Love and Loss
Many people assume I set out to write a children’s book because I’m a psychologist. The truth is, I never planned to write one.
Bubble Breathing Adventures was born during one of the hardest seasons of my life after losing my brother-in-law, Brad, to cancer. He was only 51 years old, and his loss left an incredible void in our family. During my grief, I found myself drawing, writing, and creating as a way to process the pain.
The story became a way to honor Brad, the special relationship he shared with my son, and the love they had for his dog, Bella. While the inspiration is deeply personal, I wanted the story to be universal. Every child has someone who makes them feel safe, loved, and encouraged. Sometimes it’s a parent. Sometimes it’s a grandparent, teacher, aunt, uncle, or family friend.
I wanted every child to see themselves somewhere within its pages.
Every Child Has a Superpower
One of the biggest messages in the book is that every child has unique strengths.
As parents and caregivers, it’s easy to become consumed by difficult behaviors, especially during the toddler years or adolescence. We spend so much time trying to manage meltdowns, frustration, and challenging moments that we can accidentally overlook the wonderful qualities underneath.
Often, what feels challenging today can become a strength tomorrow.
A determined toddler may grow into a confident leader. A highly sensitive child may become an incredibly compassionate adult. A child who asks endless questions may become a creative problem solver.
Our job isn’t to eliminate big emotions. It’s to help children understand them, manage them, and recognize the strengths they already possess.
That’s the real superpower.
Why Bubble Breathing Works
One of the questions I was asked during the interview was why bubble breathing is so effective.
The answer comes down to something our bodies naturally do every day.
When we’re upset, scared, frustrated, or overwhelmed, our sympathetic nervous system activates. Our heart rate increases, our muscles tense, and our brain prepares for danger.
Deep breathing helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which tells the body it’s safe to relax again.
Bubble breathing makes this concept concrete for children.
Instead of simply saying, “Take a deep breath,” children have something visual and engaging to focus on. They breathe in slowly, hold their breath, and gently blow bubbles into the air, imagining their worries floating away.
The bubbles become both a calming tool and a powerful metaphor.
The wonderful thing is that these same breathing techniques aren’t just for children. I teach many of these same emotional regulation skills to adults every day. The concepts stay the same—we simply explain them differently depending on the person’s age.
When Big Emotions Take Over
One question that resonates with nearly every parent is:
What should I do when my child is already having a meltdown?
My answer is always rooted in compassion.
Once a child reaches the peak of a tantrum or meltdown, that isn’t the time for long explanations or lectures. Their brain simply isn’t ready to process them.
Instead:
- Keep everyone safe.
- Stay calm when possible.
- Use fewer words.
- Let them know you’re nearby.
- Allow the emotion without allowing unsafe behavior.
I often tell parents I prefer “time-ins” over “time-outs.” Children don’t necessarily need isolation when they’re overwhelmed. They need to know someone can handle their emotions without leaving them alone in them.
After the storm passes, that’s when connection and learning happen.
Talk about what happened.
Validate their feelings.
Help them identify what they were experiencing.
Then practice new tools together for next time.
Children Learn More From What We Do Than What We Say
One of the most important points we discussed during the interview is that emotional regulation is modeled.
Children are constantly watching us.
If they hear us say:
“I’m feeling frustrated right now. I’m going to take a few deep breaths.”
they begin learning that emotions aren’t something to fear or avoid.
They’re simply experiences we can move through.
That modeling may become one of the greatest gifts we give our children.
Parents Need Their Superpowers Too
One message I hope every parent hears is this:
You don’t have to be perfect.
Parenting is hard.
Some seasons are especially hard.
Whether you’re navigating grief, raising a neurodivergent child, managing work stress, or simply trying to make it through another exhausting week, your own well-being matters too.
The more we care for ourselves, the more emotional capacity we have to care for our children.
Finding your own superpower is just as important as helping your child find theirs.
Listen to the Full Conversation
I was honored to be a guest on Oceanview Therapy’s Lighthouse Spotlight Series and share the story behind Bubble Breathing Adventures, emotional regulation, parenting, and practical strategies families can use every day.
🎙️ Watch or listen to the full interview here:
https://www.oceanviewtherapy.com/lighthouse-spotlight-series-lisa-lovelace/
If you’re looking for a fun, engaging way to introduce emotional regulation to your child, Bubble Breathing Adventures: Find Your Superpower was written with families just like yours in mind. My hope is that every child who reads it discovers that big feelings are normal—and that they already have the tools inside them to navigate those moments with confidence, courage, and compassion.
You can get a copy here: Bubble Breathing Adventures: Find Your Superpower.
If you, or know of someone who could use some online counseling to feel heard and learn ways to cope, please connect with one of our therapists today for a free consultation.
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