Lynda Graham Counselling

02/02/2026

01/02/2026

What if we stopped calling it foster care and started calling it what it really is?

Waiting.

Waiting for someone to show up.
Waiting for a caseworker to return the call.
Waiting for a parent to change.
Waiting for court to make a decision.

Meanwhile, the child waits too.
In a stranger’s home. In a borrowed bed.
Trying to make sense of a life flipped upside down.

We say things like “the system is doing its best.”
But the truth is, the system is slow to move and quick to forget.
Quick to forget that every delay has a face.
Every extension has a name.
Every “let’s give them one more chance” is a child holding their breath. Again.

You know who isn’t waiting?
The adults making the choices.
They’re not waiting for consequences.
They’re not waiting for comfort.

But the child?
The child waits.
And waits.
And waits.

And foster parents?
We carry the weight of that wait.
We hold children while they fall apart.
We pretend to be fine when our hearts are splitting in half.
We celebrate reunification with tears in our eyes… because sometimes what’s right still hurts like hell.

So no. It’s not just foster care.
It’s a war zone of love and loss and letting go.
And if you’re in the thick of it, raw and undone… you’re not weak. You’re wide awake.
You’re the one who stayed.

31/01/2026

Looking to focus on your mental health in 2026?

Our January–March Recovery College timetable is NOW LIVE and includes 16 free courses.

Check it out and register today👇
https://bit.ly/3NXJBO7

31/01/2026

What are your plans for the weekend?
It’s finally stopped raining for a day, we hope, so why not get a walk along the coast and take in the sights and sounds. Wrap up warm and enjoy some time outside, it’s so good for your mental and physical health.
This photo is from my walk in Donaghadee on Thursday morning.

30/01/2026

29/01/2026

Is there something you would like to do or have been putting of? Is there a dream that could become a reality? What is stopping you from saying yes to the adventure or next step in your life?
Maybe today is the time to plan to move forward and get in that balloon!

28/01/2026

Please remember…

28/01/2026

I am 6...

If you’ve ever wished you could step inside your child’s emotional world for a moment… this series is for you.

Over the next two weeks, I’m sharing A Child’s Voice — a gentle, brain-based set of visuals that puts words to what children often can’t explain yet. It’s not about “perfect parenting”… it’s about understanding what regulation really looks like from the inside out, and why connection is the starting point.

We’ll be running the full series from 2 to 16, with daily posts you can come back to whenever things feel loud, messy, or overwhelming at home.

To SAVE, click on the image, tap the three dots, and choose Save. (Facebook Only)

Managing Big Feelings, a Toolkit for Parents & Educators.
Link in comments below ⬇️ or via Linktree Shop in Bio.

27/01/2026

'When there is a Storm' Social Story 💨🍃

We have created a social story which may be useful today when discussing the changes in weather and the impact it can have on your daily routine.

You can download this for free at,https://autismni.org/assets/general/files/Storm-Social-Story.pdf

27/01/2026

🌧️⚠️ Storm Chandra – Amber Weather Warning (Tuesday 27 January)

The Met Office has issued an Amber Warning for strong winds tomorrow.

Please take extra care across the Borough:

🟠 Return your bin/ container to your property as soon as they have been emptied to prevent them blowing into roads or causing obstruction.
🌊 Avoid coastal and exposed shoreline areas especially during high tide and strong on‑shore winds.
🌳 Please stay clear of parks and open spaces where falling branches and debris may pose a risk.
🚗 Expect possible disruption when travelling and drive according to conditions.

If you need help:

📞 Emergency Services: 999 (emergency only)
☎️ PSNI non‑emergency: 101
🌐 Flooding Incident Line: 0300 2000 100