When parenting challenging children means tough conversations with nearest and dearest
I started socializing a puppy... and everyone had an opinion. I was exhausted after just a few weeks of him ... and everyone had things to say about how I should be doing it differently. At one point I remember having a conversation with a relation, who clearly was...
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Prawn + Mango Laksa-type Creation
I love Thai food. I am currently doing the CHEW Trim Down together with a bunch of lovely parents and professionals, and when I shared this creation in our fb group the requests for the recipe came in. Easier said than done as really I just played in my kitchen, made...
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Summer Monsters – the end of term phenomenon
So the end is nearly here. And, predictably, the end of term phenomenon is in full swing. What do I mean? The end of term craziness that sets in every year, about 2-3 weeks before the final day in school. The increase in energy, incidents, accidents and disclosures....
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SLEEP 401: What Parents need to Understand about Sleep after Trauma ~ The time I advised a parent not to take their child to the doctor.
Children not sleeping well is an issue. It is an issue for them and often quickly becomes an issue for others in the family home too - especially if the 'sleep challenge' is seeming to be an ongoing issue rather than just a blip. Many of the children who I have worked...
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Children are talking about HEADBomz ~ Who’s listening?
Dr Malie Coyne, is a Child Clinical Psychologist and a frequent voice speaking about children's mental health issues in the Irish media. Even this morning she was on NewstalkFM with Dr Ciara Kelly speaking about how to help children after trauma. One of the things I...
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Opinions on ISPCC HEADBomz video from Child Mental Health Experts
Many people have asked over the last 3 weeks, how did the HEADBomz video get approved? Were any Child Mental Health Professionals involved? Who were they? How could they? What on earth are the ISPCC thinking? The official information from the ISPCC - states that they...
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Dear HEADBomz – when will I stop seeing exploding heads? ~ A Letter to ISPCC Childline
I am still really bothered by the ISPCC Childline HEADBomz campaign. It has been live across the Republic of Ireland for 2 weeks now, and for all that time parents, teachers, therapists, counsellors, and school Principals have been sharing their (and their children's)...
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Headbomz – The talking campaign that made me need to talk and say THIS
I saw something yesterday that really bothered me. I could just let it be, move on, pretend it's no big deal - but that doesn't feel right. I need to write this. I really feel it's the right thing to do. So what did I see? The video for the newly launched Headbomz...
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SLEEP 301: The Bogeyman and monsters under the bed ~ Empowering children to overcome their bedtime fears
Last time I mentioned the number one mistake that parents make over and over again when it comes to children who are scared about going to bed. You can read it again here. When we stop and think about it. No one would want a child to be scared in their own home. There...
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A plea to anyone thinking about starting counselling or therapy
This is an important message for anyone starting any professionally supported healing journey. Anyone who knows me, knows I am an advocate for people of all ages, getting help and support when we need it. There are times we all need someone who is professional,...
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FREE Telephone Consultation ~ Sometimes just 1 Significant Conversation can make all the difference
Sometimes parents or education professionals feel overwhelmed. It can be so easy to have stuff going on and feel like you don't know which way to turn, what to do for the best, or even what the real options are. Whether it's about you, your child, or something else,...
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TRE – from a Mum’s perspective
Life starts throwing things at us from when we are small - and we learn to navigate, deal with, overcome or stuff them. Regardless, they have an impact on us, and so many parents find that 'parenting' brings many of these unresolved experiences and tensions to the...
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