Amanda Donovan Play Therapy - Wexford

27/02/2022

Great way to explain what's happening with Russia and Ukraine to any kids who are trying to make sense of it all

https://www.facebook.com/839571102748292/posts/5214142668624425/

I was in Morrisons doing some shopping today when Megan called me. She was out with her friends and said "Mum, one of the boys said Russia is about to enter the UK and start fighting us, so we're really scared".

Well, I'm not sure what anyone around me shopping thought about my explanation to a bunch of 11 year olds about Russia and Ukraine, but it went something like.....

After the last BIG playground fight (WW2), lots of popular kids (WORLD LEADERS) got together and made a big gang (NATO), and all the kids in the gang made a pinky promise (TREATY) to be nice and respectful and not fight each other anymore.

This means not going into each other's part of the playground (COUNTRY) without permission, and not throwing sticks or stones (HEAVY ARTILLERY) at each other, and the UK is part of the gang.

But then a new kid (UKRAINE) joined the playground, and a big bad bullly (RUSSIA) started picking on the new kid, all because he is greedy and bossy and wanted the new kids playground space for himself, even though he has one of the biggest spaces in the playground.

But sadly, the new kid is not part of the gang because the big bad bully didn't want the new kid to join the gang.

We would be breaking our pinky promise if any of the gang members help the new kid fight the bully.

We have all told the bully off, and stuck up for the new kid by hiding the bully's pocket money until the bully stops hurting the new kid (SANCTIONS) and this will hopefully stop the bully from buying more sticks and stones.

We have also given the new kid lots of our own sticks and stones to fight the bully, because this is not breaking the pinky promise!

Even though it is really, really sad, all we can do now is stand on the edge of the playground and watch and give moral support to the new kid, because we are not allowed to fight the bully for them, not without breaking the pinky promise.

BUT... if the bully breaks the pinky promise and comes into our part of the playground (UK) without permission and throws a stick or stone at us, then the whole of the gang (NATO) will come and help us, and we will ALL jump on top of the bully (RUSSIA) and beat him up. 🤺🤺🤺🤺🤺🤺🤺

Now don't worry anymore sweetheart, just go and play nicely together in the sunshine and don't get up to any trouble. 😊😊.

via yvette Dawson Phillips

30/12/2021

16/11/2021

🥰🥰🥰

06/09/2021

❤❤❤

https://www.facebook.com/1640903582854175/posts/3032475160363670/

🥰

31/07/2021

Out of the mouths of babes❤

https://www.facebook.com/199239760121037/posts/4550730161638620/

❤️

13/07/2021

Lovely 4 part parenting course coming up soon with Children's Therapy Centre and Cathy O'Donoghue for those who may be interested ❤

https://www.facebook.com/158873574134794/posts/4247488501939927/

02/07/2021

Attachment .... the foundations of it all ❤

24/05/2021

For all the wonderful mums out there......

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4054778644568216&id=396918800354237

Do you know that feeling when you wake up in the middle of the night and it’s cold and your nappy feels heavy. And there are so many strange sounds all around you, and it’s dark and scary. And you get a hit in your head and it’s your hand that’s on its own adventure. And you can’t control it at all and it flings itself around and scratches your face and pulls at your hair.

And your legs start kicking off the duvet, even though you’re cold as it is and you try to make it stop but they have their own will. And so you’re lying there completely helpless with flailing limbs that want to do everything, but none of the things you want.

And you can’t find mum. And you call for her and you find yourself feeling really scared. What if your beloved mum doesn’t come for you. You can’t imagine anything worse and you start to cry because you miss her so terribly. You have never felt as alone as this very moment.

And then she is suddenly there. Standing right by your bed and looking at you with worry and love. And she is the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen. And you grin up at her with happiness and relief. You don’t think you’ve ever felt as happy as this very moment.

And she picks you up and holds you close. And she smells like herself, and also a bit like you. Like milk and safety and love. And it’s the best smell in the whole entire world.

And she is warm and safe and soft and her hands caress you and she feeds you and hums your favourite tune. And you love her voice. You’ve known it far longer than you’ve really known her. It has lulled you to sleep and made you laugh and calmed you when you were distressed. It is the most beautiful voice in the whole entire world.

And you get to lie right up against her and you feel your entire body start to warm up again. And your still cold hand starts stroking her and moves up towards her neck and accidentally scratches her. Stupid uncontrollable hand. But mum doesn’t get angry. She takes your stupid hand in hers and it turns all warm again. And this is the best feeling in the world. Right here in mummy’s arms, with your hand in hers. Even the nappy doesn’t feel as horrible anymore.

And you feel your eyes getting heavy and you know that everything is okay now cause mummy is here. Your mum. Your wonderful, incredible mum who always looks after you. Night and day.
You look up at her one last time before you fall asleep. She looks tired and her eyes are closed, and yet she is still the most magnificent thing you know. How amazing that she wants to sit here with you in this moment. How amazing that she will always sit with you for a bit when you need her to.

You smile to yourself. How lucky you were that she became your mum. The most perfect mum anyone could have asked for.

You knew, even before you saw her, that she would be the best thing in the world.

Oh how you love her. Your mum.❤️

All Credit to the mommy poet

18/03/2021

This definitely deserves a share 🥰😍👏👏

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=746210986265450

10/03/2021

At Kaleidoscope we just love brain science.

Did you know that adding playfulness during transitions turns off the alarm center of the brain, allowing children to feel safe and secure.