Co-regulating with your child can actually be an opportunity for connection. Through it they can be real with us in a very raw way, and we still show unconditional love. It is an opportunity for closeness. However, if we have been working on building connection, when co-regulation is needed it will work more smoothly because the trust is already there.
Look for opportunities to connect with your child no matter what their age. Let them direct the connection. If they love cricket, art, Thomas the Tank Engine or Dora the explorer or whatever, use that. You can't expect a child to meet you in your world, you have to meet them in theirs. Spend time talking to them about their interests, this shows that you care about them even if you don't share that interest. Have fun together, play games, blow bubbles, have movie nights, toast marshmallows over a fire, even just reading a book together builds that connection. If that connection is their your job to co-regulate will be that much easier.
source