Safe Spaces with Sam

26/07/2025

🦋🌞A great way to look at fear 🌞🦋

I love finding new ways to explain things to my superstars, to make them see their issues in a different light and empower them to take back control of those big feelings.

Fear is a big one that dominates so many young lives and often they don't even know why. This simple explanation shows them that often our fears are completely unfounded and aren't worth the time they're being given.

We break down those fears to see what evidence there is that they're real and what is more likely to be the outcome. A very powerful tool.

For more information about 1:1 coaching drop me a message to sam.safespaces@gmail.com or visit http://safe-spaces.square.site

25/07/2025

🦋☀Masking feelings☀🦋

It is very common for children to mask their feelings and struggle to open up about them. Coaching and the activities I do with my superstars allows them to explore their feelings, whilst engaging in creative tasks and to build up their strategies to help them cope with those feelings.

As you can see, this superstar did a great job on their mask. Whilst they decorated the front we could chat about things going on, without the pressure of direct questioning with full eye contact and they were then able to be very open about how they sometimes feel on the inside to do the back.

I was very impressed with how open they could be with me in only their second session. The next step is to explore what causes those big uncomfortable feelings.

For more information about 1:1 coaching for you or your child drop me a message to sam.safespaces@gmail.com or visit http://safe-spaces.square.site

24/07/2025

🦋☀ A very talented superstar☀🦋

I always try to tap into my superstars interests to keep them focussed and enjoying sessions. This superstar loves drawing and anime, so in this session I wanted them to focus on the huge journey they have been on over the last year and a bit, before embarking on the next big chapter in their life.

As you can see, she embraced the first part of her task, thinking back to when we first started together and what she might advise anyone thinking of having some coaching sessions. I rather like cartoon me!

For more information about 1:1 coaching for you or your child, drop me a message to sam.safespaces@gmail.com or visit http://safe-spaces.square.site

23/07/2025

🦋🌞New freebie downloadable activity 🌞🦋

One of my superstars came up with a brilliant activity idea after doing it at Guides around the environment. Making 'Zines', which are mini magazines.

Of course I jumped at the chance to create a new activity and have based it around regulation strategies. If you download the free file it includes a titled and blank version, plus instructions of how to put it together.

Happy Zine-ing!

https://shop.beacons.ai/safespaceswithsam/0d1bcd85-f393-46e7-9c67-bf7c1e53bc7a

For more information about 1:1 coaching for you or your child drop me a message to sam.safespaces@gmail.com or visit http://safe-spaces.square.site

22/07/2025

🦋🌞 Another freebie for you all🌞🦋

As we embark upon the long summer holidays I thought I'd create a resource for you all to keep your superstars occupied for a short while.

Download my FREE activity sheets with mazes, colouring sheets and wordsearch inspired by Safe Spaces.

Visit my digital shop to download your copy

https://shop.beacons.ai/safespaceswithsam/b30676a7-55f8-4903-bf27-90426d4f4e4d

21/07/2025

🦋🌞There'll always be a 'thing'🌞🦋

It struck me this week in a conversation with my husband about our kids behaviour, that it's easy to dismiss it with "it's because they're tired, overwhelmed, it's been back to school, it's their birthday, it was a busy week, it's Halloween, it's Christmas" - you get the idea!

What I'm saying is there seems to forever be an explanation/excuse for our children's dysregulation and subsequent poor behaviour and that's not likely to change anytime soon. Therefore it's vital our children learn the skills to be resilient and recognise when they're becoming dysregulated and have the strategies to cope with it and regulate again.

Coaching does exactly this and I'm very proud to say that our eldest is getting very good at doing this for herself, not all the time of course, but this is when we can step in and help.

As a parent it's also vital we foresee the tricky situations if we can and put things in place to aid the regulation. This is where parent coaching can help.

For more information about 1:1 coaching drop me a message to sam.safespaces@gmail.com or visit http://safe-spaces.square.site

21/07/2025

🦋🌞How to help with dysregulation this Summer holidays 🌞🦋

I've been doing this for years and can genuinely say it massively helps my girls to be a bit less dysregulated and feel more in control of the summer holidays.

For lots of children the long 6 weeks isn't something they look forward to. The routine and structure is gone and this makes their brain panic and think up ways to make them anxious.

Whilst we might assume all children love being off school and having lazy days stretching ahead of them, for some this fills them with dread.

So to help with this, we create a wish list of all the things they would like to do over the holidays, some more extravagant than others and they know we won't necessarily get to do everything, but we'll certainly try.

I create a Google spreadsheet that can then be shared with friends and family who can then 'book us in' for meeting up. This is also printed and put up for everyone to see. We ensure we build in time to relax and regulate at intervals too.

We also have a weekly planner hung up so they can see the week ahead and a meal planner for the same reason. I encourage them to give me dinner ideas they'd like to have too.

What things do you do to help with your summer holidays?

For more information about 1:1 coaching for you or your child drop me a message to sam.safespaces@gmail.com or visit http://safe-spaces.square.site

20/07/2025

🦋🌞Be mindful of the need for transition time🌞🦋

This is another phenomena that we've had to get used to and build into our household. Again as with the big occasions it's not something we considered needing to do. The holidays are fun and relaxing right?

What we mean by transition time is the fact that a strong routine has been formed during term time, to get up at a regular time, into their uniform and begin a structured day. Something which a lot of children actually crave.

When school holidays arrive, routine could fly out the window, which can make some children very unsettled. This can make them anxious as they don't know what to expect. Couple that with probably later nights and more treats and you have some deregulated children on your hands.

So what can you do about it? We're very mindful of the need to transition into a new routine and try our best to be even more patient with the grumps that come at the start (and end as they have to transition back again!).

We make sure the plan for the week is written down and agreed with everyone, with plenty of down time for regulation activities - literally written as such on the plan.

We discuss feelings and acknowledge and accept that it's ok to feel sad about missing friends and routine, but also think about the positives of being off, and reverse that for going back!

So this school holidays try and be mindful of this with your own child. For more information about coaching drop me a message to sam.safespaces@gmail.com or visit my website http://safe-spaces.square.site

20/07/2025

🦋🌞In case you missed this🌞🦋

I cannot recommend this highly enough. Nicky is amazing and my inspiration behind becoming a coach, as well as my trainer l.

This is an opportunity not to be missed.

💚FREE Masterclass-Parents & Professionals 💚

"Creating Safe Spaces for Children’s Big Feelings"
🗓️ Tuesday 22nd July 2025
🕖 7:00 PM (UK time)
💻 Online

Children’s emotions can be BIG, and knowing how to respond matters.

Join this free 1-hour session to explore:
✨ Why emotional safety is key to children’s well-being
✨ How to support children through their toughest feelings
✨ Simple strategies you can use right away

All participants receive:
💛 CPD Certificate
🩷 A recording to review (only for those who attend live)

Whether you're a parent, teacher, coach, or carer, this is for you!

▶️Register FREE today! https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Y0Hwf7yoSPWMGIwbik5ytw

19/07/2025

🦋🌞 Important planning for a big trip🌞🦋

Planning ahead is so important for any family, but throw a neurodivergence into the mix and it's absolutely vital.

This superstar is going on a big Guide trip soon and wanted to chat through what challenges this will bring up. Home is sorted, school is sorted, we have plans for those and her parents and teachers know them well enough now to help when needed. Going away with new people to an unknown place is obviously more tricky.

Lots of anxiety is down to a lack of control and knowing what is in store. Our brains are good at making up the missing gaps and often that's with undesirable and scary things! So by creating a plan it's giving back that control and ensuring the child's fears or concerns are put to rest.

This strategy keyring will be put on their regulation kit and handed in at the start of the trip. There will of course also be a conversation between the leaders of the trip and the parent and child.

As a well seasoned residential trip leader I can tell you with confidence that this is always a welcome addition, we always want to ensure the children are well cared for and feeling as positive as possible, so any heads up on how best to do this is gratefully received.

For more information about 1:1 coaching for you or your child drop me a message to sam.safespaces@gmail.com or visit http://safe-spaces.square.site

19/07/2025

🦋🌞Right on time for the summer holidays 🌞🦋

This weekend only I'm offering my Little Book of Positivity with 30% off, all you need to do is enter SAFESPACES in the discount code box to take advantage of this special offer.

https://shop.beacons.ai/safespaceswithsam/d77c6b36-27c5-4a05-95e8-083b2467bd66

18/07/2025

🦋🌞 Dealing with grief🌞🦋

Grief is unfortunately something we all have to experience and go through in our lives, so it's important we equip ourselves with the knowledge and skills to do it in the most healthy way possible. It is also vital we equip our children in the same way.

Having recently lost our very beloved cat (our last pet of the house) I was in a unique position to be able to both help myself and my children through the process with the knowledge I have. That's not to say the hurt was any less, it just helped to recognise the stages and know each one wasn't permanent.

Here's a brief overview:

1️⃣ Denial: It's normal to feel numb or disbelieving when faced with loss. Allow yourself to process your emotions, and seek support from loved ones. It is also important to note that losing a pet is just as upsetting as a friend or family member, so never to be trivialised.

2️⃣ Anger: It's okay to feel angry or frustrated. Find healthy outlets like exercise, creative activities, or talking to a friend. It helped in our case that Charlie was very old and frail, so we knew it was coming, there wasn't so much to be angry about.

3️⃣ Bargaining: You might find yourself thinking "what if?" or "if only...". Practice self-compassion and remind yourself that you're doing the best you can. This for me was the most painful stage as we had decided it was time to send Charlie across the rainbow bridge ourselves. Therefore I was wracked with a lot of thinking about whether we had made the right decision. It helped that I was able to talk to friends and they reassured me that it was the right thing to do.

4️⃣ Depression: It's common to feel overwhelmed, sad, or hopeless. It can feel so overwhelming that you can't breath with the pain. This is when it's important to acknowledge that feeling and let it out through tears. Equally allow yourself the time to do things that bring you joy, to counteract that hopeless feeling. Look for those glimmers and the things you're looking forward to, even though it's really difficult.

5️⃣ Acceptance: This stage isn't about being okay with the loss, but about learning to live with it. Focus on rebuilding your life, and finding ways to honor your loved one. Talk about the memories and good times.

Remember, grief is a unique experience, and there's no timeline. You can go back and forth through the stages. Be patient with yourself, and don't hesitate to seek help when you need it.

For more information about 1:1 coaching drop me an email to sam.safespaces@gmail.com or visit http://safe-spaces.square.site