I had noticed that hubby had been feeling a bit unloved and unappreciated the last few days. I'd been busy and distracted, my son was having some big feelings coming up, and hubby wasn't feeling very welcome when returning home from a long day at work. Yesterday, I had a playful idea to have a … Continue reading Our little “Welcome Home!” party

My son was having some big feelings come up yesterday morning. He was really angry and was acting it out through aggression. After he'd stormed into the bedroom and slammed the door, the post-it notes from my recent video came in really handy to use for the old "notes under the door" approach. I playfully … Continue reading The old “notes under the door” approach 😉

Here's a little video I made with some empathic things we can say while listening to our children's uncomfortable feelings. https://youtu.be/d8jCCsFJyRE    

I'm celebrating my finished application to become certified as an Aware Parenting Instructor! Ready to send off to the USA! I've been practicing this approach to parenting for 6 years now, and working towards my certification for almost two years! It's been a slow process, not least because I'm also homeschooling my 7 year old … Continue reading Celebrations!

Dr William Sears, the American paediatrician who coined the term "attachment parenting", recognises the healing properties of tears and the importance of offering our children a supportive presence when they cry ... “Ever have an occasion when your baby or child is crying and nothing works to stop her? Take heart! It’s not your fault she … Continue reading Dr William Sears on crying

I remember when I first started listening to my son as a baby (after all his immediate needs had been met), I worried that he might never stop crying! He just seemed to cry and cry some days, with no end in sight. At first, I would only listen for a short time, maybe 5 … Continue reading Some reflections on listening to crying

When setting empathic limits, it can be easy for us to feel uncomfortable and end up judging or shaming our child for what they are wanting. If we are feeling grounded and confident, we can offer loving acceptance of our child’s desires, while gently saying no (or not now). “I hear you’d really like some lollies. … Continue reading A few thoughts on empathic limits

We are just back from a week’s holidays to the snowfields and I thought I’d share with you some reflections and ideas that might make your next trip smoother and more enjoyable. Some of the things below I managed to do, and they really helped! And other things I didn’t do, but will be reminding myself … Continue reading 6 steps to a fun and connected family holiday!