Body and Soul by Shauna

22/04/2026

Please share;

14/03/2026

When we frame situations it helps give our kids better boundaries!

>>> https://karacarrero.com/parenting-without-saying-no

12/03/2026

What to expect -
° Starting time 7pm at Workspace Community Hub, parking in behind in centras car park, there may be some availability in front of the school or further down the street, please do not park in front of anyones house or block any business access;
° There will be a warm welcome and you can help yourself to refreshments;
° You can then take a seat in the main hall;
° You will not be forced to do anything but there will be an opportunity to ask questions;
° This night is for any man over 18 from anywhere;
• PLEASE be part of the conversation;

11/03/2026

Why attend -
S. Su***de - we have the highest rate of Su***de in the UK we need everyone to help change that narrative;
T. Talking - Men are 3 times more likely to take their own lives as women PLEASE come and be part of the conversation on how we change this;
E. Education - this nite is run by men for men on issues you may experience and where to get help;
P. Prevention - Come and tell us what is needed, for some our classes are what help but we need men to tell us what might work for them;
S. Support - This nite is for all men to say 'I may not know what to do but I am up for being part of the conversation, if it will help any man;

10/03/2026

08/03/2026

International Women’s Day.

A wee reminder.

Being a strong woman isn’t about hashtags, brunches, or a filtered photo with the girls.

It’s about the quiet decisions no one sees.

Not texting the muppet back.

Leaving the job that drains your soul.

Setting the boundary that makes your stomach turn.

Choosing peace over chaos.

Strength isn’t loud.

Most of the time it looks like a woman sitting on her couch at night, finally deciding…

“F**k this sh*t.”

So if today means anything at all…

Let it be the day you stop abandoning yourself.

Know your worth.

And never fu***ng forget it.

06/12/2025

Autism can look many different ways - and when it presents in non-stereotypical ways (which is common in but not exclusive to girls/afab) it’s often missed - leaving people without support, or without the *right* support.

Kids who present with this non-stereotypical profile of Autism are often socially motivated - which leads people to disregard a possible autism diagnosis up front, but autism does not (always) mean socially avoidant.

I also use “Autism in girls” as a shortcut to help undiagnosed girls get more visibility but *MANY* boys and nonbinary people have this presentation- including my own son ❤️

28/11/2025

In class, they seem calm, capable, and compliant. But at home, parents describe tears, meltdowns, or total shutdowns.

This isn’t inconsistency — it’s masking.

A child who masks works incredibly hard to appear “fine,” often suppressing stress, anxiety, or sensory overload to get through the day.

As educators, it can be easy to miss — because these children rarely “act out.” But behind the calm exterior, they may be struggling to feel safe, seen, or understood.

Understanding masking helps us see beyond behaviour, recognise hidden effort, and create classrooms where children don’t have to hide who they are to belong.

Our Masking Toolkit for Parents & Educators explores what masking really is, why it happens, and how to create emotionally safe spaces both at home and in school.

Download it now via The Contented Child link in comments below ⬇️ or via our Linktree Shop in Bio.

04/11/2025

02/11/2025

After Half Term - A Gentle Reminder ❤️👇🏼

It’s that time again, the posts are going up: “Back to school!”
Uniforms lined up, lunchboxes ready, smiles for the photos.

But let’s take a moment for the families whose half term didn’t bring rest,
for the ones where “back to school” means meltdowns, panic, and sleepless nights.

For the children who want to go, but can’t.
The ones frozen by anxiety, sensory overload, or unmet needs that still haven’t been supported.
Sometimes you may not even have unpicked what the root cause is, and that’s ok.

For the parents who’ve spent the week trying to rebuild their child’s sense of safety-
knowing that come Monday, it might all unravel again.

Let’s be clear:
School attendance issues are not always about “bad parenting” or “lack of discipline.”
They’re about environments that aren’t accessible.

Systems that ignore SEND.
Support that comes too little, too late.

Instead of punishments and fines, we need understanding.
Instead of attendance officers, we need proper support plans.
Instead of “just get them in,” we need to ask why they can’t.

Legal, Reasonable Adjustments You Can Ask For (under the Equality Act 2010):

These aren’t favours- they’re rights.

If your child has SEND, schools must make reasonable adjustments to help them access education.

Here are some examples:

• A flexible or reduced timetable, shorter days or later starts if full days cause distress.

• A safe or calm space, somewhere your child can decompress when overwhelmed.

• Part-time or phased returns- especially after illness, trauma, or school-related anxiety due to time away.

• Sensory accommodations - such as ear defenders, soft lighting, fidget tools, or movement breaks.

• Adjusted uniform rules- for sensory comfort (e.g., softer fabrics, no ties).

• Alternative ways to record learning, using a laptop, voice notes, or drawings instead of handwriting.

• Extra adult support — a key worker, teaching assistant, or familiar staff member for transitions. Sometimes called a Safe person.

• Exemption from assemblies, PE, or loud environments- when these trigger anxiety or sensory overload.

• Communication adjustments — like visual timetables, social stories, or advance notice of changes.

• Remote or hybrid learning options, when in-person attendance is temporarily not possible/ flexi schooling.

•smaller class sizes- 30 plus sometimes per class does not enable teachers to provide support for individual needs, this can also contribute to overwhelm.

Because every child deserves an education that fits them,
not one that forces them to break themselves just to fit in.

So if your child struggles to go back after half term, know this:
you’re not alone.
You’re not failing.
And your child isn’t “defiant” or “lazy.”
The system just wasn’t built with them in mind.

Keep advocating.
Keep protecting their peace.
And remember, attendance means nothing if a child isn’t okay, a child won’t learn anything being in survival mode.

With Love, Michaela ❤️🫂❤️