Parent's Domain

15/12/2023

It’s Move Day!
Today Mr Meebie and I are filled with mixed emotions and we had our last cup of tea together in our playroom in Heidelberg Heights. We reflected on all the amazing children who spent time with us, told their stories, tried new things, cried with us, laughed with us, danced with us and allowed me to be right beside them holding their hand ❤️

We are off on a new adventure, as our playroom moves to a clinical consulting suite in Greensborough.

I can’t wait to offer more nature based play therapy and sensory play utilising the parklands right next door to our new space.

It’s going to be amazing ❤️

07/12/2023

Well Alfie the Elf has arrive! I wonder what adventures he will get up to in the playroom 🎄🎅🏻

04/12/2023

02/12/2023

As we wrap up the year, it has been lovely to see the joy on children’s face as we celebrate all that makes them amazing! 🎉👏🏻❤️🥳⭐️

For some children this was their first experience of a party, for others it was a safe environment to try new things, learn party games and simply be ❤️

I have the absolute privilege to work with the most delightful and precious children 🥰

28/11/2023

Just checking in to see how we are holding up?
😄😔😖😫😳🤯🤔🫣🫠😴🤕😮‍💨

As the festive season starts to take over and our weeks can feel busy.

Sometimes we can experience children to be having some BIG feelings, meltdowns, big behaviours, exhaustion, shorter attenion span or stamina, lack of motivation or more defiance.

Let’s put this into perspective…. Their body and brain has been learning all year, their cognitive load may have reached capacity and their sensory systems may be in over drive. Not to mention all the social experiences from school/ kinder, parties, concerts…

What can we do:
⭐️ connection - take a moment to pause and create time for connection. This often falls off the wagon when we get caught up in the festive season chaos.
⭐️ down time for regulation - releasing the pressure from their nervous system so that children are not quickly heightened because of a full tank, hence operate from survival mode (fight, flight or freeze).
⭐️ lower expectations - what can we let go off.
⭐️ Is it worth saying ‘no’ to some social parties?

I hope that was helpful ❤️

26/11/2023

📣 Christmas GIVEAWAY Time🎄⭐️
You don’t want to miss this one!

I love Christmas 🎅🏻🎄

I want to share a Christmas tradition with you in my GIVEAWAY. Every Christmas Eve my girls recieve their Christmas Box from Santa, we spend the day together getting crafty and in the Christmas spirit.

Go in the running to WIN a Christmas Box, personalised with your child or children’s name. The box is made by the lovely Deb at Deb's Design Lab.

The Christmas Box will be filled with Christmas goodies including craft and snacks.

To enter simply like 👍🏻 or love ❤️ this post, it’s that easy.

Winner will be announced Sunday 3rd December at 7pm and collection of Christmas Box will be from the 10th December from Parent’s Domain Office.

Good Luck ❤️

25/11/2023

Exploring Children’s Emotions - Parent Workshop!

Only 2️⃣spots remaining - don’t miss out!

Come and join me for an interactive and reflective parent workshop as we explore the world of our child’s feelings. Our children can have some BIG feelings and knowing how to support and navigate their feelings can be tricky at times.

Here is what other parents and teachers had to say about the workshop:
⭐️ “Easy to digest information, lots of great ideas I never considered for my child."
⭐️ “A relaxed and engaging evening, learning the traffic light and how the brain works was really helpful."
⭐️ "I want more, I could listen to Annette for hours."
⭐️ “So useful and really helpful strategies."

Registration closes 27th November 2023

https://www.parentsdomain.com.au/services/parenting-information-evenings

12/11/2023

When big feels come with big behaviours… it can be easy to be caught up in the behaviour.

When we address the behaviour first, it often means the emotion and the need that were driving the behaviour gets over looked.

4 handy tips
⭐️ behaviour = communication.
Our little people and big people (teens) often communicate with behaviour. Sometimes that rational thinking part of their brain disconnects in heightened emotional states, which means that impulse control goes out the window along with their ability to communication.

⭐️ name it to tame it.
By naming the emotion first, it catches children’s attention. It communicates to children that we hear them and see them - you get me. Think about a time when someone acknowledged your feeling. How did you feel?

⭐️ don’t join their chaos
We can be quick to say “stop that” or yell. When we do we join the cyclone and it spirals our of control.

⭐️connection first- then correction
When we connect with our child and name what we hear and see and allow space for emotional talk. Children will then be more open to talk about the behaviour. They won’t be coming from survival mode - fight, flight or freeze.

I hope that was helpful
❤️

07/11/2023

Hocus Pocus Magical Potion Play is here! 🧙🏻‍♀️🧪🔮

Does your child like mixing, making and creating?

Then look no further as this lovely magical kit has been handmade to provide hours of fun, creativity and sensory play.

For more info click on the link:
https://www.parentsdomain.com.au/shop/hocus-pocus-magical-potion-play

04/11/2023

Well… in between 6 basketball games this weekend and still going, I’ve been experimenting with more sensory play.

Today was potion making fizzy 🧙🏻‍♀️🧪🔮🪄

All natural products, safe for little hands and hours of fun. ❤️

Sensory play is wonderful for children as it supports emotional regulation, promotes imagination, communication and creativity. In particular water play has very soothing elements for children.

As my product tester Miss C said…. “Oh this is so cool”.

👀Watch this space…

03/11/2023

Our children can have some BIG feelings and knowing how to support and navigate their feelings can be tricky at times.

Come and join me for an interactive and reflective parent workshop as we explore the world of our child’s feelings.

Here is what other parents and teachers had to say about the workshop:
⭐️ “Easy to digest information, lots of great ideas I never considered for my child."
⭐️ “A relaxed and engaging evening, learning the traffic light and how the brain works was really helpful."
⭐️ "I want more, I could listen to Annette for hours."
⭐️ “So useful and really helpful strategies."

Limited Spots

Registration closes 27th November 2023

https://www.parentsdomain.com.au/services/parenting-information-evenings

02/11/2023

What a lovely morning presenting at a beautiful school as apart of their Prep Transition Program ❤️

I got the absolute privilege to talk to a wonderful group of parents about school transition, how to support our children socially and emotional with the big step to school.

A big thank you to Sarah, Ali and the Prep Team for your invitation, what an honour ❤️