Thoughtful Practice

27/03/2023

Zipped up

A large part of the skill of low demand parenting is knowing when not to speak. When to bite your tongue and just keep quiet. For many of the little things that we say can feel like pressure to our children, even if we’ve never thought about it like that. Even if we think we’re speaking ‘in innocence’ and can’t see the problem.

Things like ‘Are you sure?’ when they say they don’t want to go somewhere, or when they want to spend all their money in one go. Things like ‘That’s a shame’ when they say that it’s time to leave now even though you’ve only been there 20 minutes or when they say they no longer enjoy something. Things like ‘If you’re old enough to cook, you’re old enough to clear up’. All of which add more emotional pressure to a child who already finds that hard to manage.

Which means that often the response you get is not what you expected. All of which makes their life – and therefore your life – harder.

What do you do instead?

That’s what Missing The Mark and I are talking about in our next webinar. The Art of Low Demand Parenting: Emotions. It’s part of our Art of Low Demand Parenting series but is also stand-alone. It is recorded. Please share if you are in places where parents may benefit.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-art-of-low-demand-parenting-emotions-tickets-873283132357?aff=fb2

04/02/2023

I've not been very active on here for a while but really wanted to share Dr Naomi Fishers work. Her page is full of insights on parenting in general and particularly on thinking about education, 'school refusal' and trauma. This event looks brilliant:

Dr Naomi Fisher, clinical psychologist, will discuss how trauma and loss affects children - and what their parents can do to help.

06/06/2020

"I can call my therapist. I can pay for it without thinking about it, but what about those who can't?"

05/05/2020

Messy. Accurate. People are often surprised to learn that most of therapy isn't actually talking directly about trauma- it involves getting to know ourself and our needs without judgement, learning to extend genuine kindness and care inward, and growing skills to advocate for what we need to thrive.

The concept behind this doodle is Allostatic Load, which I'll be unpacking a little more in a post later this week.

[Image description: black handwritten style text on white background. Text between asterisks indicates red colored text.
if you've experienced
trauma you may need:
- MORE sleep than most people
- *a routine that values gentle movement*
- to take breaks during arguments
or intense emotional experiences
- *long term therapy even after 'processing' the experience*
- Space to check out of social events & recharge
- *More time to get to know someone before trusting them*
] Image Description provided by Lauren Bee

30/04/2020

This looks really useful, for teachers as well as parents:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/parenting-in-lockdown-tickets-103560941564?fbclid=IwAR2CV_2Mta0m9TOlDvRNZFHAs-4j8k6x530FWjhix9kIGu7qdhnDaauvKUA

Locked down in flats, houses and rooms, we all live in a state of crisis and uncertainty now. Everything shifted but there are no answers yet as to when, where and how it is going to settle. This webinar is for parents who struggle with navigating this new reality. You may feel like you are falling....

02/04/2020

We love this! A table hammock! Share your sensory hacks for COVID-19 lockdown survival.

28/02/2020

06/02/2020

This week is


Together we can help improve the mental health of all children and let them become the courageous voices they deserve to be.
Poem by

13/01/2020

An alternative approach to parenting those who have experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences.

07/01/2020

Love this.

02/01/2020

Please share if you know anyone who might find this useful!

Welcome to our page! Words etc provides fast, affordable and friendly support with all things wordy,

09/11/2019

Great article about a phrase that is so easy to use with young children.

It's crucial to acknowledge and understand the emotions of our youngest pupils, argues David Cahn, who says it's not the teacher's job to keep them happy and perfectly entertained all day long

19/10/2019

This looks good, and is free to watch for the first 24hrs!

Tomorrow, Sunday October 20, Gabor will be presenting as part of the online among many illustrious thinkers and researchers from Bessel van der Kolk to Dan Siegel. More information and registration here: http://bit.ly/2MvsvnD

13/10/2019

💛🙏

18/09/2019

Let's remember what pupils have often had to manage before they even walk into the classroom!

20/08/2019

Physician Dr. Gabor Maté discusses parental stress and the negative impact it has on children. He sat down with TVParents.com host Cheryl Jackson at the KMT ...

10/07/2019

This is lovely!

03/07/2019

https://www.ourscreen.com/screening/48684?source=email-share