Andrea The Anxiety Expert

06/02/2026

05/02/2026

“If you can go in, sit nicely, don’t make a fuss, don’t complain about tummy ache, don’t cry…then you can get a sticker.”

This is exactly what to say to a child if you want to invalidate their feelings, communicate to them that their feelings are wrong, that they’re not welcome, you don’t want to listen to them, they’re fussing over nothing and they don’t matter.

This isn’t about blame…I was a primary school teacher for 20+years … stickers and rewards were taught at teacher training college.

But this example is at the expense of emotional validation, compassion & understanding.

This is about AWARENESS and waking up to what we’re actually communicating to our children.

Im@not saying rewards and stickers are wrong, in fact we use them in my programme, but NOT like this.

If you’re a parent & want to hop in my next 6 session course, get in touch.

If you’re a member of staff or the school senior leadership team and you’d like to chat about INSET ideas, DM or email me : andreaanxietyexpert@gmail.com

05/02/2026

What if you could give your child the gift of a LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS future?

The way you talk to your child today becomes the way they talk to themselves as teenagers, young people and adults.

Be their coach, cheer them on, allow them to ‘have a go’, let them just try and see what happens!

This helps them believe in their innate capacity to cope…rather than develop fears, worries and anxious feelings that they can’t.

I coach you so you can coach them.
Join my Parent Programme and let’s get them on the path to a LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS future.

More details here ⬇️

https://andrea-sumner.com/parentledcbt

04/02/2026

26/01/2026

Want to Morning Meltdowns a thing of the past?
Here’s how…

💛Are you ready for a change?
💛Are you exhausted with the constant battles?
💛Do you dream of a calm, stress-free morning where you and your children skip out of the house full of the joys of Spring? 🌷 (Well not quite but you get where I’m coming from?!)
This is just one of the many topics we’ve been discussing this week in my Parent Programme.

If you’re ready for change because let’s face it, you’re at the end of your tether and you just can’t go on like this,

DM me about my Parent Programme, have a read here and pay your £50 deposit for the next one starting in Feb.

https://andrea-sumner.com/parentledcbt

22/01/2026

If your child is fine at school or with their dad but falls apart with you, it doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.
It means you’re their safe place.

Children hold it together where they have to — and release it where they feel safest.
Meltdowns aren’t a sign they’re ‘playing you up’ or that you’re a bad parent. It’s your child’s nervous system letting go.

If you’re exhausted and questioning yourself, you’re not alone.
I support parents with practical, compassionate tools through my 6-session Parent Support CBT course.

✅DM me for more or contact me via my website link in bio and here :
https://andrea-sumner.com/parentledcbt

21/01/2026

Happy Hugging Day. January 21, 2026.

17/01/2026

No judgement just sharing observations and reflections from my days as a primary school teacher and a mum of 4.

Hope it helps you and your children in some way today.

Sending love & remember we’re all doing the best we can with what we’ve got 🤗