Big Bear's Treehouse

15/05/2026

15 May has been recognised as International Day of Families by the United Nations since 1993.

So, however your family may look, and wherever the branches may stretch, I hope you feel connected to a strong trunk that holds and embraces your family 🌳❤️

14/05/2026

30/04/2026

It’s one of the hardest realities for parents to hear.

Children don’t always speak up about uncomfortable or harmful online experiences — even when they feel safe at home.

I didn’t think that would be us.
We had the conversations.
The rules.
The supervision.

And still — she didn’t tell me.
Not at first.

The eSafety Commissioner explains that when children experience unwanted contact or grooming, they often stay silent because:
– they feel embarrassed or ashamed
– they’re unsure if they’ve done something wrong
– they’re worried about getting in trouble or losing access to their devices

In grooming situations, trust is built slowly — and secrecy can become part of that relationship.

That was true for us too.

She thought she might get in trouble.
She didn’t know how to explain it.
And she was scared of what might happen if she told.

So she carried it.
Silently.

And what we saw instead… was a child withdrawing, changing, struggling —
without fully understanding why.

Silence doesn’t mean nothing is happening.
Sometimes it means a child doesn’t yet feel able to say something.

This is why ongoing, open conversations matter more than one-off warnings.

Because when a child finally does speak,
it often comes after they’ve been trying to make sense of it on their own.

You can read her story here:
notmykid.com.au/f/a-regular-story-that-rarely-gets-told

Source: eSafety Commissioner (Australia) – Grooming and unwanted contact guidance

29/04/2026

Even when we think our children aren’t listening, they are often noticing and feeling more than we realise.
This video shows just how deeply those moments between adults can impact them 💛

24/04/2026

03/04/2026

03/04/2026

I nearly dismissed the email.
I thought it was a polite rejection.
It wasn’t.

My abstract has been accepted for ISPCAN Congress 2026 in Melbourne.

The work focuses on caregiver healing as a preventative child protection approach, particularly for mothers with lived experience of out-of-home care.

It’s exciting — and still a little surreal.

But what matters more is what the work represents.

The real work isn’t always visible.
It sits underneath.

I’ve shared more in the first comment below.

10/03/2026

🌿 Big Bear's Treehouse has finally found its online haven! 🐻 We've spent six incredible years silently nurturing children and families through the healing power of play therapy and counselling. I'm thrilled to introduce our brand-new website, offering an intimate glimpse into our Treehouse philosophy, showcasing our life-changing work, and guiding families towards the support they deserve. Although our therapy space is nearing completion, we invite you to take a step into our virtual Treehouse now:

Big Bear's Treehouse offers trauma-informed counselling and play therapy for children, families, and adults in Tweed Heads and Northern NSW. Supporting growth in a safe, caring environment.

27/02/2026

A great little interactive video for some gentle relaxing breath work to reset