Safe Spaces with Sam

16/12/2025

🦋🌞 January is nearly full🌞🦋

**edit, only 1 left now**

For those of you who are newer followers and weren't aware, I am a secondary school teacher 3 days a week as well as a therapeutic mental health coach. This means I can only offer 8 sessions per week, a mixture of daytime and evening slots.

My evening sessions tend to be the most popular and therefore get booked up quickly. I am also extremely fortunate to be working with some of my superstars long term, so 4 of those 8 sessions are booked on a longer term basis.

January is already nearly full, so if you were thinking of booking more sessions, or your first, please don't hesitate, as I wouldn't want you to miss out.

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

15/12/2025

🦋🌞 Fidget recommendations🌞🦋

I recently got asked to give some recommendations for fidgets to use in a classroom, with a need to be quiet and discreet.

Fidgets are a great Regulation strategy for the classroom, home or when out and about. I always have a box in my classroom, pencil case full in my mum bag and lots to give my superstars in sessions!

As a current teacher of 25 years and from working with children in my mental health role, these are the ones I came up with.

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

14/12/2025

🦋🌞 Another freebie for you all🌞🦋

One of my superstars mentioned they are enjoying colouring at the moment and wanted some sheets to do. So of course I couldn't resist building in some key points that we've been covering!

I have 4 colouring sheets available in my online shop, graffiti style and mandala style with FAIL & FEAR reminders.

You can download the pdf of all four here:

https://shop.beacons.ai/safespaceswithsam/b8324cb4-f59c-4dad-b53f-ddfc1598354a

Happy colouring. 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

14/12/2025

🦋🌞 I don’t force them to grow. I help remove what’s holding them back 🌞🦋

Kids and teens are naturally resilient — but pressure, fear, and negative self-talk can block their growth.

As a therapeutic mental health coach I help you and/or your child to:

✅ Build emotional resilience
✅ Navigate anxiety and stress
✅ Gain confidence and self-worth

When we remove the emotional blocks, our children don’t just survive — they thrive.

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

13/12/2025

🦋🌞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

12/12/2025

🦋🌞Can I come back for a one off session?🌞🦋

Initially I recommend booking a block of 4-6 sessions to enable continuity and enough time to make lasting changes.

However after this has been completed you are always welcome back anytime for a one off session, or more of course. As things come up for you or your child, as they inevitably will, you may feel you need a 'top up' session.

As an example I recently welcomed back a superstar who is approaching a new stage in their life as teen, and wanted to chat through their anxieties. It was lovely to see them again and tackle the next step in their life together.

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

11/12/2025

🦋🌞 Christmas overwhelm 🌞🦋

This is a very real phenomenon and with the amount of craziness in December it's not surprising, this goes for the adults too.

Christmas starts earlier and earlier, at school the rehearsals for the nativity seem never ending and the pressure for some to perform is a lot.

Some get a visit from their Elf which adds daily excitement and the extra pressure to 'be good'.

Wearing itchy special clothes, be it their Christmas jumper for an occasion or that costume for the play.

Bright lights and decorations everywhere adding to their sensory overload. Coupled with those Christmas songs on repeat.

The December traditions of visiting Santa, light trails, Christmas crafts, baking, shopping, the list goes on, posing for those important Instagram photos to make everything look perfect. 100 % more than any of us adults had in our childhoods.

In an attempt to make their childhood magical and memorable, perhaps we've put a bit too much pressure on ourselves and actually contributed to their dysregulation and ours.

So what can we do to help and ensure we have less meltdowns and more happy memories.

1. **Set Realistic Expectations**: Talk about what Christmas means to your family and manage expectations for gifts, activities, and gatherings.

2. **Create a Visual Countdown**: Use a calendar or advent calendar to help children track days leading up to Christmas, giving them a sense of control and excitement.

3. **Prioritise Activities**: Choose a few important traditions or activities to focus on, rather than trying to do everything. Quality over quantity!

4. **Practice Mindfulness**: Take time to breathe, relax, and enjoy the moment. Simple activities like reading a holiday book together can create peaceful memories.

5. **Encourage Expression**: Allow children to express their feelings about the holidays. It’s okay if they feel overwhelmed – talk to them and validate their emotions.

6. **Keep Routines**: Maintain regular schedules for meals, bedtime, and playtime to provide stability amidst the holiday hustle.

7. **Incorporate Play**: Schedule some downtime for play! Whether it’s outdoor activities, crafts, or family games, laughter can ease any tension.

8.**Double down on regulation strategies**: all those strategies that you know work for your child, remember to use them, pre-empt situations that you know they struggle with and take them with you if you can eg a chew necklace to see Santa, a crunchy snack to have whilst waiting.

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

10/12/2025

🦋🌞How do you book a session?🌞🦋

After you make your initial enquiry via email, my website or messaging on this page, I will reply to you with a welcome email with more details.

At this point you can book in a 20 minute discovery call, or I can send you the next step of a questionnaire and contract.

Within the contract are my payment details and my live booking system is within the questionnaire. Once you have booked a session I am notified and once I have received your payment via bank transfer I will accept your booking.

I will then prepare your file and plan the session based on the information I have received on the discovery call, or questionnaire.

I have sessions from 10-2 Mondays and Wednesdays, 11-12 on a Sunday and selected Monday and Friday evenings 7-8. Evening slots are arranged outside of my booking system as these are dynamic from week to week.

There is no obligation to book a block of sessions, however most find they need more than one and to aid continuity it is advisable. If they aren't all needed it will be clear and your remaining sessions are refunded in full.

So if you feel your child/teen would benefit from a 1:1 coaching session email me sam.safespaces@gmail.com or visit http://safe-spaces.square.site

09/12/2025

🦋☀My new booklet☀🦋

I have officially launched my new downloadable booklet, designed to enhance your relationship with your child and encourage a more positive mindset. Each day, you'll focus on the positives by reflecting on what went well and what you're looking forward to.

The booklet includes prompts for both parents and children to share their feelings and proud moments throughout the week. I encourage you to print it out and use it daily, as it can really help foster meaningful conversations and connections.

In your download you will get a copy of the booklet to print as many out times as you need and a loom video to guide you through how to use it- although it's pretty self explanatory!

Here is the link

Get this product delivered directly to your inbox!

08/12/2025

🦋🌞A post for families with girls who have sensory issues🌞🦋

I am writing this post for two reasons, firstly to give those parents who have sensory avoiding girls a heads up and secondly to share my experience in the hope it gives some 'I see you' understanding to others that are, or have been through it.

For all young girls puberty is a really difficult time for lots of reasons, but for those who have any kind of sensory issues it is especially challenging. By that I mean the child who has always been squiggly about certain clothes, too many layers, school uniform, certain fabrics, having their hair washed and so on, for all their life.

Firstly their hair gets greasy more often so they now need it washed more frequently, which is always tough as it causes meltdowns and resistance. Build this into the weekly routine and they'll soon get used to it just being what they do.

Secondly bra wearing, we spent a small fortune on different styles, trying to find one that worked. Inevitably some were seemingly too tight or small, the band too big, different back configurations, sports bra, clasp bra, the list goes on. Of course the options for getting fitted are also massively reduced as lots of high street chains have now disappeared from our towns unfortunately.

Trial and error is the way to go, ensuring your child is well regulated and 'in the mood' when you do try them on and if you find a style they like (which you will I promise) get lots of them and in the next size up. You don't want to go back and find the fabric or style has been changed. M and S were the winner for us, the crop top style, so it's easy to put on and super comfy.

Last up is dreaded periods, I recommend thinking about this well ahead of time and having open and honest discussions with your child to prepare them.

Think about the period pants, as they're much more comfortable and easy to manage than pads or tampons (older girls only). Again though this took a lot of trial and error with style, fabric and fit. I highly recommend having some trial days where they wear the pants before they start, just to see how they feel and get used to them and then again buy lots and the next size up. We didn't do this as someone refused to accept it was going to happen and now the shop doesn't make that style anymore!- back to the drawing board and a crazy turnaround of washing of the few pairs that she likes!

I also recommend buying lots of styles of pads for when they are needed as some are long, wings or no wings etc. We settled on longer style pantyliners as they're thinner and feel less bulky and noticeable between the legs, but of course need to be changed more frequently.

We also decided to wear period pants with a pad to start the day. The pad then removed part way through the day to leave just the pants, so even more comfortable. Again this is trial and error depending on the flow that day.

Definitely pack a period case with spare period pants, towels, feminine wipes and a nappy bag to put anything soiled in. If they have a blazer get them to put a pad in a zipped pocket, as they may not have their bag with them when they discover they've started.

It's a really tough time for them to go through so there will be tears and 'why did I have to be a girl', and 'but I don't want babies now, so why can't I just not have periods until I do', but they will get used to it, just like all of us women have.

As the parent it takes patience, understanding and more patience, oh and give a heads up to any men in the house to either make themselves scarce, or bring a third batch of patience!

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

07/12/2025

🦋🌞A whole family approach 🌞🦋

If you weren't already aware I also offer parent coaching, which can sit alongside coaching for the child. This means a truly holistic experience for the whole family.

The advantage of this is that the parent(s) can also work on their approach and ensuring things that their child needs are put into place. From my experience outcomes are much more successful when the whole family is involved.

I have also worked with just the parent(s) when the child/teen hasn't been able to engage in their own session. This enabled those parents to feel more empowered to understand their child and that they could be much more effective in using strategies to help them.

If you feel you would benefit from coaching, drop me an email to sam.safespaces@gmail.com or visit http://safe-spaces.square.site