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 …
perspective taking
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 …
Getting to “Sorry”
Many years ago, friends of mine were adjusting to having their second baby at home. They were distressed that their older child seemed to delight in hurting their newest family member. They asked her why she kept hitting/pushing/pinching her sister. Her reply: “I like the sound she makes when she cries.” One of the lessons a …
Do You Walk the Walk?
A recent New York Times article “Raising a Moral Child” by Adam Grant went viral last month. In it, he summarised a 1980 study on altruism development in children: “Psychologist J. Philippe Rushton gave 140 elementary- and middle-school-age children tokens for winning a game, which they could keep entirely or donate some to a child …
Through the Eyes of Someone Else… Taking Perspective on Parenting
Are you sitting comfortably? I’m not sure how this experience is going to be for you – possibly entirely pleasant, or maybe a little uncomfortable – are you willing to come with me for the ride? When you’ve finished reading this sentence, close your eyes for a moment, and visualise in as much detail as …