Mindz That Matter

06/09/2021

By the end of your child’s first week of school, they are exhausted! Whether its their first week at school nursery or they could be a teenage pro at Secondary school!

Be prepared for the melt downs, heated arguments or tears of frustration when they get home! Prepare for this tidal wave of emotion that will build up as the week progresses!

Top parenting tip for the end of your child’s first week back at school is to not go out with them on Friday night, do not organise a busy weekend for your child,do not decide to run errands, do not make big plans, do not ask one million questions, do not force them to talk about everything that has happened at school, do not attempt to do ANYTHING AT ALL.

Lower your expectations, your well behaved child who is usually pleasant. Is exhausted….washed out…drained!

They are like balloons filled with emotions,they will burst if you try to fill them up with a busy friday night or weekend.

If you take them out Friday night or plan a busy weekend they will become an emotional mess, you wont be able to reason with them.

Your Friday night plans after the first week of school need to involve something simple like chilling on the sofa with some blankets, pizza, popcorn and a film…That is it. Nothing more!

This is is all any child/teenager can handle. Your son or daughter will make it past the first twenty minutes tops and then will probably be fast asleep or start to repeatedly yawn!

Let their bodies catch up. They are exhausted after their summer of disrupted routines,family holidays, trips away etc

Your children have had a shock to the system they now have to think,concentrate and pay attention and listen for six hours or more a day.

Along with back to school emotions. A roller coaster of emotions which affect all children whether they are 3years old or 15 years old!

Changes like attending a new school or going to school for the first time, new teachers, new friends. Plus, figuring out where to sit at dinnertime- who to play with if you are new!

Having to follow all the new rules. Plus, doing homework. Plus, worrying about if their clothes/shoes/hair/bag fits with the “in”crowd! Maybe avoiding the bully or group of girls with unkind comments!

Dealing with the emotions “independence” brings…like going on the bus journey to school for the first time…finding your way around a secondary school, getting to the right room and lesson on time!

Remember DO NOT make any plans.A chilled weekend…That's your weekend plan.

Follow this top tip and you will stop a weekend of tantrums, arguments, tears for no apparent reason… show your children you acknowledge the effort, emotions or feelings the last week has brought for them… and you will help them recharge their batteries ❤️👌

Parenting is hard, but if you help and support your child with their emotional wellbeing, acknowledge how they feel, you will find that your battles reduce!

Remember school can be tough and having an adult in your life who understands, who shows you empathy, can make such a difference to a child or teenager!

03/09/2021

Enter school with EMPATHY!💞💞

As the summer comes to an end and our children and teenagers go back to school.

It is really important that we remember, we don’t always or sometimes will never fully understand what feelings, emotions, worries or barriers a child or teenager may be facing!

As parents, grandparents, friends, family and teachers, we need to remember, everyone has different needs, lives and emotions.

Kindness, compassion and validation from an adult whether at home or at school, goes a long way when you are a child or teenager❤️❤️



Images by Hazel Mead Art

02/09/2021

Back to school stress for parents🤦‍♀️😫

With the return to school nearly upon us, many parents are focusing on ways to help their child go back to school as smoothly as possible.

This can be a difficult and daunting task especially after the long summer break. Trying to persuade a child or teenager school is going to be fun after long lazy days, chilling,playing or going out with family and friends is going to be difficult and possibly a battle!🤦‍♀️😩

Some parents may also find this time challenging,because their child struggles with change, or has a child who has separation anxiety, worries or difficulties at school eg self esteem issues, friendship issues or has experienced bullying.

As a parent the best strategy or tool in the box- is to be prepared and to be
pro-active!

These tips will help your child have a smooth or calmer return back to school :

⭐️ Preparation
During the week prior to returning to school check you have the following in place:
-uniform fits and all in place
-uniform labelled and school bag packed
-ensure school shoes fit ok
-PE kit in place
- wash any new uniform, a stiff/scratchy new shirt will result in some children getting upset, angry because they are uncomfortable.
- ensure older children have all stationary in place and they have completed any homework

Rushing and leaving things to the last minute stresses you out as a parent, and this will impact on your child. A younger child eg starting school for the first time, will see this negative stress you are displaying and anchor this stressful experience to school.

⭐️ Independence
Over the summer it is easy for children to become reliant and overly dependent on parents or grandparents. Once back at school, your child will be expected to be independent eg tidy away, get undressed, pack up their PE kit after a PE lesson….

Ensure the week prior to school starting, you promote independence and reward your child for completing tasks themselves eg tidying up their bedroom, helping with chores around the house, fastening their shoe laces etc

⭐️Routines
Reinstate routines, that may have been lost during the summer. Holidays mean later bedtimes, sleeping away from home, and getting up later!

Its really important that routines start back up….
Aim to reestablish the following:
-bedtime routine, including bath time and story
- Meal times
-set the alarm, so your child get used to getting up at an earlier time

Its really important these routines are reestablished. Battles the night before school are avoided and children are rested and ready for their first morning back 👌

Good sleeping routines/habits need to be back in place ready for the first day back. The first few weeks back in school are exhausting and tiring for your child!

⭐️ Communication
Talk to your child about what they can expect when they go to school. Share as much information as possible with them.

Ensure your child is told or reminded about the following when you talk to them:
- Number of children in their class-who is in their class if you know!
- which adults they know or who they will be working with?
-which teacher or teachers they will have?
-the headteachers name
-what will happen a key points of the day eg lunch, break times
-who will be taking them to school
-how will they get to school and which route you will take
-who will pick them up or how they will get home
-timings of the day, what time does school start and end?

You may find that some of this information will answer some if not most of the fears and worries your child may have.

⭐️Keep them in the know!
Many children don’t like change or are afraid of the unknown, things they don’t understand!

Letting children know as much as possible about what will happen when they start or return to school will help calm any worries.

Ensure your child knows all the details and there are no surprises. Make sure they know exactly what is happening!

⭐️Emotions and feelings
Let your child know you understand their fears and worries. Mixed emotions are a natural feeling that we all experience and it is normal after a long period away from school.

Listen to your child and Don’t dismiss their fears or worries!

Something that may seem unimportant or trivial to you, may be huge issue for your child!

Let your child know you want to understand exactly what they are worried or nervous about. Ask your child open ended questions:
“ I can see you are upset and you look worried! What is it about school you are worried about?”
“What do you think we can do together to make things feel less scary?”
“What can we do together to make going back to school feel easier for you?”

Be proactive and show your child you are there to support them- listening and sharing fears along with breathing techniques can help your child feel calmer. For examples of breathing techniques for children visit mindz that matters youtube channel or click this link below

https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCAU1_mjNbac9_k95fFP1lsw

⭐️Positives
Remind your child of the positives. They will get to see their friends and favourite teachers. They will learn new and exciting things and gain new skills. They will develop independency and talents eg sports,music, or art!

Following these tips and being proactive as a parent,will help your child transition smoothly back to school or gently into school for the first time 😊

I wish you and your child the best of luck 👌 Have a POSITIVE first day at school! 😊

However, If you feel your child is struggling and you need further support transitioning back to school. Speak to a professional.

❤️Seek support❤️
Your child’s school can support you and help you and your child, with the challenges being faced.

If you feel concerned at any point about your child’s mental or emotional wellbeing and you feel your child needs professional support. You can contact Me (Paula) at Mindz that matter
07956 191 674 and we can identify together which step, is best for both your child and yourselves as a family or you can seek advice from your GP.

27/08/2021

What have you said to yourself today? What is going on in your head? Are you aware of how you speak to yourself? Is your inner critical voice controlling you and telling you what to do?

Are you in tune with your inner voice? Is your inner voice supportive or is that voice unkind, possibly mean?

You are not alone.... we need to learn how to tune into that inner voice. We need to train our inner voice to be kinder, encouraging, patient and forgiving!

If your inner voice is not in control, and you are struggling to be kind to yourself.. remember therapy can help. Don't struggle on your own... contact me at Mindz that Matter.

Support can be given face to face in person or online.

27/08/2021

Always remember....

07/07/2021

❤️❤️👌 amazing work by all the pupils... well done 🙂

Our Year 5 pupils enjoying their Mindz that matter session. Well done Waterfall class. 👍

29/06/2021

💖

26/06/2021

Always Remember........💖

25/06/2021

Mums matter!

24/06/2021

Always believe 💖

23/06/2021

Does your child need support? Do they struggle developing positive relationships? For help, advice and support book a FREE consultation...Mindz that matter can help your child become resilient and establish successful relationships. Call and book your free consultation on 07956191674

23/06/2021

Kind words...