Key Facts:
- *Polyvagal Parenting* by Paul North, Dr Lydia So, and Michael Allison will be launched at The Book Cow, Kingston, at 6pm on Friday, 4 September 2026.
- The book encourages parents to interpret children’s behaviour through the lens of nervous system signals, arguing that a parent’s own stress state directly affects what is achievable for their child.
- North highlights particular relevance for families affected by domestic and family violence, noting that 2.6 million Australian adults – 13 per cent – witnessed violence towards a parent before the age of 15, and emphasises the book does not blame parents.
- The foreword is by Dr Stephen Porges, who developed Polyvagal Theory, who describes the book as bridging the laboratory and the living room; psychologist and trauma specialist Dr Arielle Schwartz has also endorsed it.
- North presented at the 2026 ISPCAN Congress in Melbourne and will travel to Canada and the United States following the Canberra launch.
Paul North, who has worked with ADF personnel and children in out-of-home care, launches Polyvagal Parenting: Vagus Nerve Practices to Stay Calm, Co-regulated, and Connected with Your Child at The Book Cow, 47 Jardine Street, Kingston, Kingston, 6pm Friday, 4 September 2026.
The book asks parents to look past the behaviour in front of them and ask what a child’s nervous system is signalling, and what that child needs to feel safe. North argues children in distress often cannot be reached through standard behaviour management, and that a parent’s own stress state sets the limit on what is possible for the child.
North says this particularly matters for families affected by domestic and family violence, where a protective parent may be carrying their own trauma while trying to hold stability in place for their children. Australian Bureau of Statistics data show that an estimated 2.6 million Australian adults-13 per cent-witnessed violence towards a parent by a partner before the age of 15.
He is clear that the book does not blame parents.
The book is co-authored with developmental paediatrician and researcher Dr Lydia So, who is also North’s wife, and US performance consultant Michael Allison. Dr Stephen Porges, who developed Polyvagal Theory, describes the book as bridging “the laboratory and the living room”. Psychologist and trauma specialist Dr Arielle Schwartz has endorsed it for parents and therapists.
North presented at the 2026 ISPCAN Congress in Melbourne and travels to Canada and the United States after the Canberra launch.
About us:
North has spent more than 35 years in the disability sector, working with children in out-of-home care, adults with developmental disabilities, and serving and former ADF personnel. He is Principal Psychologist at PartnershipsPlus and was inaugural Chair of the Restrictive Practice Panel for the ACT Senior Practitioner. He has held clinical and advisory roles in the ACT and NSW governments.
