Rachel's Relax Kids

18/08/2022

Have you a little one starting school or preschool this September?

Remember the most important thing for children at times of transition is having ‘one good adult’ in their lives. Someone they can rely on to be a calm reassuring presence. This is a very strong protective factor for our children’s wellbeing. So, keep that in mind, your connection with your child is the most important support you can give!

I am always an advocate for reading to children about topics they are struggling with, or challenges they are facing. My favourite three books for children about to start school or preschool are:

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn. Little Chester raccoon is nervous about starting school. After reassuring hm about new friends and toys, his mum gives him a kiss on his paw. She tells him to put is paw to his cheek whenever he misses her and know that her love will be with him wherever he goes.

The Invisible String by Patrice Karst. Jeremy and Liza’s mum reassures them that even though she might not be with them they are all connected by an invisible string. Even though they cannot see it with their eyes, they can feel it in their heart. Whenever they are missing her, her love travels along the string, and she feels it tug on her heart .

Owl Babies by Martin Waddell. An old family favourite, Sarah, Percy and Bill wake up one night to find their mother is gone from their nest. Bill is very worried and Sarah and Percy do their best to comfort him while they wait. When she returns, she reassures them she will always come back to them.

I would love to hear if you have any other book recommendations!

Keep an eye on this page where I will be posting further advice about school start over the coming week or so.

30/08/2021

Just sharing these last minute back to school ideas for separation anxiety again! My three simple little tips are:

Matching Love Hearts:

Draw a little heart on your wrist, and a matching one on theirs. If they are missing you during the day, or just feel the need to connect with you, they put their fingers on the little heart. They will feel their pulse, like a reassuring heartbeat, when they touch their wrist. Let them know that you will press your love heart if you are missing them. You can also add a spray of your perfume or aftershave to their wrist, as another little connection to you.

Pebble in my Pocket:

Find two very similar pebbles, gem-stones or crystals. You keep one in your pocket and the child keeps the other in their pocket. Tell them that any time they feel a little nervous or are missing you they give their pebble a little squeeze. It is a very concrete reminder of their connection to you.

Worries in My Pocket:

Talk to your child about any worries they have about starting school. Write the worries down on pieces of paper. Then you put the pieces of paper in your pocket. Tell your child you are going to carry their worries for the day while they are in school, so they don’t have to carry them alone. This can really help to ease any fears they may have.

Your connection with your child is the most important support you can give!

01/12/2020

23/11/2020

Where would we have been without these 2 over the years at Relax Kids. No matter what we asked for we got and believe me there was some strange requests 😂😂

Thank you both for everything you have done for us and we hope you enjoy your retirement/break.

From Rachel & all the gang @ Rachel's Relax Kids

13/11/2020

Celebrating

31/10/2020

Happy Halloween to all my girls and boys. I hope you all have a great day however you are spending it. Remember what I always say "Stay Safe"
Missing you loads
Rachel x

30/10/2020

What an amazing moon out there tonight! Although it's beautiful to look at, it might send some of the kids a bit crazy so here is a wee meditation incase you need it 😴

It’s a Halloween Full Moon
You might notice your children are more restless tonight and tomorrow. Here is a full moon meditation -
please tag or share with any parent who might need it to keep children calm during the loony time.
FULL MOON _ Close your eyes and be very still. Breathe in and out slowly. Breathe in and blow all the way out. Imagine you are lying under a cool moon. The moon is so beautiful tonight. It is sparkling in the night sky. Sit or lie under the moon and feel your whole body cooling down and becoming calm and relaxed. Feel a cool wave of relaxation over your whole body. It feels cleansing and clearing. As you stand under the beautiful moon, you feel soft and relaxed. You feel as if you are melting and your whole body is becoming soft and relaxed. Feel the cool moon on your head and your head becomes soft and calm. Feel the light of the moon on your body and your whole body feels relaxed. You feel calm. You feel relaxed. You feel soft. You feel still. Stay still as you can and allow the cool moon to help you feel calm and relaxed. It feels so wonderful. You almost feel so full of calm and full of relaxation. How calm do you feel?
Take in a deep breathe and breathe out. As you blow out feel yourself becoming more and more relaxed.
Breathe in and relax and breathe out and relax. Breathe in and relax and breathe out and relax.
Say to yourself in your mind, I am cool like the moon. I am cool like the moon. Marneta Viegas www.relaxkids.com

21/10/2020

26/06/2020

As much as it pains me to say it I just wanted to congratulate my wee LFC gang 😂 They tortured the life out of me all year, I tried my best to get them supporting Arsenal but it just didn't work. After all the madness of the last few months I'm delighted that there will be a few very happy kids about. You never know it could be Arsenal's turn next year 😂🤞

22/06/2020

This sounds exciting for the kids next time they go for a walk along the shore 😁

Fairy Trail along Greencastle Shore Path

19/06/2020

When I was in secondary school, my parents requested permission to remove me from school during term time for a week to go on a holiday of a lifetime. The school reluctantly agreed, on the condition that I would work hard to ‘catch up’ the work that I missed.

02/06/2020

It's June! ☀️

We have our Free Monthly Affirmation Calendar avaible to download. We hope that your June is full of hope, love, understanding and kindness. 💜

https://www.relaxkids.com/calendar

18/05/2020

There's likely so much more they need from us, but mostly... they need to have the stability of our steadfast and unconditional love. 💗

18/05/2020

Mental Health Awareness Week - Be Kind

"Kindness is spreading sunshine into other people's lives regardless of the weather"

01/05/2020

30/04/2020

Have a listen to this beautiful story. I hope when this is all over we don't go back to our hectic lives. I hope we continue to be thankful for everyday, every walk we take, the natural beauty we have on our doorsteps. It's the little things in life that mean the most x

29/04/2020

I found some more lovely messages on my walk today. I just know to look at the beautiful writing who Miss Holly is. Another of our little relaxers 💜 Our kids worlds have been turned upside down. They went from going to school and after school activities with their friends to not seeing anyone literally overnight. I am so proud of them all for staying so positive and putting a smile on my face everyday when I get out for my exercise.

Well done Holly Harvey.

27/04/2020

If you can print this out and stick it up somewhere everyone will see it. Each morning get the kids to read the affirmation for that day and repeat it at different times throughout the day.

Our FREE Affirmation Calendar for May is now available to download from: https://www.relaxkids.com/calendar 💜