OB the Yogi

05/05/2026

https://insighttimer.com/blog/the-importance-of-teaching-children-self-love/

When children lack self-love and self-esteem it can seriously damage them throughout their adulthood. Learn about the damaging effects and how to break them

10/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17EyuLXq8u/?mibextid=wwXIfr

18/03/2026

As parents, I believe we all want to raise resilient kids, but on occasion our well-meaning actions do the exact opposite.

We are wired to seek comfort and avoid discomfort. YET, we know that the key to both resilience and a meaningful life is discomfort. After all, Susan David famously pointed out that 'Discomfort IS the price of admission to a meaningful life'.

I was talking to a parent the other day at the beach who shared that he had advised his daughter not to attend something because of both the fear and discomfort she was experiencing in anticipation of the event. In psychological terms, we would refer to this as encouragement of avoidance and reinforcement. It's reinforcement to avoid uncomfortable things, reinforcement to stay clear of anything that scares you.

We must be teaching our children that there are going to be things in life that are hard, that put us out of our comfort zone, that scare us and overwhelm us if we let them, but to do those things regardless. Do the hard things, find the magic outside of our comfort zones, get used to the discomfort, face our fears.

Life is unpredictable, it's hard, we really need to be teaching our children how to manage both.

This was a good read from a colleague of mine about raising resilient kids.

I’m always on the look- out for evidence of everyday mental toughness and found this recent story contained valuable advice for parents.

16/02/2026

If there's one thing that I offer education around frequently, it's Locus Of Control. Locus of control is the extent to which you feel you have control over events that impact your life.

An internal locus is when we possess the belief that our own actions directly influence life outcomes VS external which attributes outside factors to life outcomes.

An internal locus of control leads to enhanced mental health & wellbeing, stronger motivational achievement, enhanced resilience & coping, better health outcomes, proactive problem solving, effective decision making etc. etc.

This is a great read and offers some practical tips for developing an internal locus of control in your child(ren). It's also food for thought for your own locus of control ~ are you often caught up in being more externally focused? When we are, it leads to more stress, frustration, anxiety and poorer quality of life.



https://marshmanfoundation.com.au/media/fostering-personal-leadership-in-adolescents-the-crucial-role-of-developing-an-internal-locus-of-control

08/02/2026

The long hiatus is over on this page! Studies are finished, hours are clocked and everything is back on. Whoop! Whoop!

I know a lot of parents out there have heard about the importance of developing a growth mindset in your children, but it's always good for the reminder and to understand what it can do for your little (or not-so-little) ones. From building confidence to improving critical thinking, a growth mindset teaches us that we CAN nurture potential and improve as we look to others who are successful, ask for feedback, practice and do the things not everyone is willing to do. Celebrate failure, try new things and approach life with curiosity....don't be afraid to experiment.

We share ideas to foster a growth mindset in kids and students that you can apply in your classroom or at home.

30/12/2023

A really insightful TED talk on parenting.

Everyone loses their temper from time to time — but the stakes are dizzyingly high when the focus of your fury is your own child. Clinical psychologist and renowned parenting whisperer Becky Kennedy is here to help. Not only does she have practical advice to help parents manage the guilt and shame...

29/12/2023

Make 2024 the year of gratitude!

A recent study finds that gratitude can improve parents' well-being and their relationships with their kids.

01/11/2023

As a parent, did you know that there is a disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders for Internet Gaming Addiction?

Here are the criteria....

DSM 5 TR Diagnostic Criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder
5/9 criteria required

1. Preoccupation with Internet games, such that gaming has become the dominant activity in daily life.
2. Withdrawal symptoms when internet gaming is taken away.
3. Tolerance ~ the need to spend increasing amounts of time engaged in internet games.
4. Unsuccessful attempts to control participation in internet games.
5. Loss of interest in previous hobbies and entertainment.
6. Continued excessive use of Internet games despite knowledge of psychosocial problems.
7. Has deceived family members, therapists, or others regarding the amount of internet gaming.
8. Use of Internet gaming to escape or relieve a negative mood.
9. Has jeopardised or lost a significant relationship, job or educational/career opportunity because of their participation.

What are some of the potential consequences that have been identified in the research?

o Lost opportunities for learning important life and social skills (emotional regulation, conflict resolution, emotional support for friends)
o Increase in depressive and anxiety symptoms
o Weakened immune system due to lack of sunlight and sleep
o Changes to the brain similar to changes observed to drug addiction and gambling

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10065366/ #:

Stay tuned for steps you can take as a parent if you have concerns your child is heading this way.

24/10/2023

There's so much to worry about when it comes to our children, exposure to the news and what's happening in the Ukraine and in Israel is just one of them. What should we be doing in terms of communication around these atrocities?

As images of war unfold in the Middle East, parents are left wondering how to tell their children what is going on in Israel and Gaza. Professor Lea Waters f...

08/06/2023

Kids can be quite hard on themselves when they make mistakes or don't do well on a particular task. What can we do to support them?

There are some children who are too hard on themselves, so it’s important to address this and help them learn to be more gentle. Here are some of the most effective ways to help.