Whether you have trained in Emotion Coaching, Circle of Security, or Triple P, almost all parenting approaches include the importance of soothing and validating emotions before moving into problem solving – and indeed, children are excellent at solving their own problems if we just give them enough support to do so. But in the thick …
Kids
Resources and Recommendations for Separating and Separated Parents
There are many decisions to make and negotiations to step through with someone you used to love and now have different (and possibly many) feelings towards. Be gentle and kind with yourself in this process. Here are my top recommendations to parents navigating the aftermath of separation.
Give up on Happiness
It’s early morning and Toothless is distressed. “There are THREE mornings I have to go to school early. I don’t want to!” he tells me. I’m not a morning person either – he has a sympathetic ear with me. I sit beside him on the bed, “That makes perfect sense,” I tell him. “You’re only …
From the Lips of Those with Autism, on World Autism Awareness Day
For Autism Awareness Day I’m just going to share with you some of my favourite quotes ABOUT autism, by those who HAVE autism.
When Your Ex Takes Your Kids to a Psych
If you are interested in the healthy development of your child – and the overwhelming majority of parents are – then you have nothing to fear, and a lot for your child to gain, from your child seeing the psychologist your ex has chosen. The psychologist is interested in assisting, as much as possible, your child to have a healthy relationship with BOTH of you. This may be the very opportunity you’ve needed. You might even want to thank your ex.
How to talk to your kid about seeing a Psych
This would have to be one of the questions I’m asked most often by concerned parents. They have reached the point of deciding psychologist support is a useful step for their child, but Oh! How to broach that topic??? It’s Mental Health Week, and this is my guide for how to approach this with your …
Tasting Freedom – and why this is my last Blog Post ever.
There’s this moment when I’m flying down the hill, wind in my face, blue sky above me, and I notice this thought passing by – that this is it, THIS is tasting freedom. It’s exhilarating, and not just because I’ve got all that lovely exercise endorphin flowing through me. In fact, this freedom has nothing …
Stuff that Definitely Doesn’t Suck – a review of Ben Sedley’s “Stuff that Sucks”
I don’t know what your reading list is like – maybe it’s a little like mine. Last year, I was super excited to hear a colleague of mine had his book published. What a magnificent achievement. Then I looked at the pile of books beside my bed I was slowly making my way through, and …
The Jacarandas are Blooming – The Importance of Stories
It’s the eve before Toothless’ birthday and we’re enjoying a goodnight snuggle as I start to tell him the story of his birth. He wriggles and giggles with anticipation – he’s heard this many times before, and he delights in this special tale that is all about how incredible it was that he came to …
I Want to Change the World. What about you? Can we do it together?
I’m reflecting on the amazing five weeks I’ve just had traveling abroad with my family, an opportunity which was made possible by a generous scholarship I was awarded by the Perth Convention Bureau and Giving West. I had an incredible trip of planning research, attending workshops, networking, and a brilliant conference interspersed with gelato, volcanoes, …