Northern Rivers Key Worker Services

29/11/2025

Do you know a school leaver? There are lots of payments and loans available to help them take their next steps – whether that’s study, training, or starting work. 📖 💼 💻

Make sure to check the full eligibility criteria to find out which payments they can get.

Tag someone below who will find this useful. 👇

29/11/2025

As parents we want our children to be respectful of other’s feelings and be quick to admit when they are wrong. We want them to give a sincere apology and learn from their mistakes. But how many parents will apologise to their children? We seem to live in a culture where adults feel that they are superior to children and therefore they don’t owe them an apology even when the adult has done the wrong thing. Adults worry that if they admit that they are wrong to a child that this somehow undermines their authority. Or they feel that whatever they did was justified because it was the child that drove them to behave that way, so they shouldn’t have to apologise. All of these beliefs are false and by following these beliefs we are damaging our relationship with our kids and missing out on the lessons our kids could learn from us simply by saying “sorry”.

More information in my book

Guidance from The Therapist Parent

Available on my website and Amazon

parenting parentingtips playtherapy psychologist childtherapy life play kids positiveparenting gentleparenting respectfulparenting resilience mumlife momlife dads teachers ADHD anxiety anger

29/11/2025

29/11/2025

New laws are here for early learning services in NSW.

Here’s what you need to know:

• All early learning services in NSW must clearly display their compliance and quality history. This helps parents see how each service is performing and meeting the National Law and National Regulations.
• New rules apply to the use and carrying of devices that can take, store or share images, such as phones, tablets or smartwatches, by anyone working directly with children.
• Tough new fines apply if these rules aren’t followed. These changes are designed to make services safer, increase transparency, and ensure that children’s rights and best interests are the top priority.

Learn more about child safety in early childhood education and care: bit.ly/child-safety-info

28/11/2025

https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/pricing-arrangements/making-pricing-decisions/annual-pricing-review

The NDIA is committed to the continuous improvement of the methodologies underpinning the NDIS price controls framework. A combination of market data, research, public consultation and regular industry engagement informs changes to pricing arrangements and price limits.

26/11/2025

When a child is overwhelmed, their behaviour often looks loud, chaotic, or challenging — but internally, their nervous system is signalling distress. In those moments, distance doesn’t create calm. It creates fear, shame, and disconnection.

What truly helps is an anchor: a steady adult who can hold the moment with calm, presence, and understanding.

This morning's quote is a reminder that children don’t outgrow the need for co-regulation. They grow through it.

If you’re supporting a child who struggles with big feelings, our Managing Big Feelings Toolkit offers step-by-step guidance and practical strategies — available via the link in comments below ⬇️ or through the Linktree Shop in Bio.

26/11/2025

A tantrum isn’t “naughty.”
Backchat isn’t “disrespect.”
Shutting down isn’t “rude.”
Crying over small things isn’t “overreacting.”

They’re all messages:
📌 “I’m overwhelmed.”
📌 “I don’t feel heard.”
📌 “I’m scared of getting it wrong.”
📌 “I don’t know how to cope with this feeling.”

Children show us their feelings through behaviour long before they can tell us with words.

So your superpower isn’t being the “perfect parent.”
It’s being the safe place.

🧠 Pause before reacting
💛 Get curious instead of furious
🗣️ “What’s really happening for my child right now?”

Connection first → behaviour follows.

You’re not raising a perfectly behaved child.
You’re raising a human who knows they’re loved when they’re at their worst.
And that changes everything. 🤍

More information in my book Guidance from The Therapist Parent Available on my website www.thetherapistparent.com and Amazon

23/11/2025

Turn taking is executive functioning! And practicing turn taking skills supports executive functioning development: https://www.theottoolbox.com/turn-taking/

19/11/2025

📢 Add your voice: The petition calling for safe, evidence-based NDIS assessments is now live.
Sign here ➡️ https://www.aph.gov.au/e-petitions/petition/EN8570

This model was scrapped once for being unsafe.
We can’t let it return without a fight.
Please sign and share.

e-petitions

15/11/2025

When a child says “I hate you” or “I’m dumb,” they’re showing you their pain, not the truth.

“I hate you” often means “I’m overwhelmed and don’t know how to cope.”
“I’m dumb” often means “I feel like I’ve failed and I need reassurance that I’m still enough.”

Both are cries for connection, not correction.
Your calm presence helps them feel safe enough to see themselves differently. ❤️

📖 From my book, Guidance from The Therapist Parent — available at www.thetherapistparent.com and on Amazon.

15/11/2025

Instead of “How was your day?”, try questions that open the door to real connection 💬✨

Ask things like:
💭 “What made you laugh today?”
🎨 “Did anything surprise you?”
🤝 “Who did you sit with at lunch?”
❤️ “What was something kind you did or saw?”

These questions invite your child to share their world — not just their day.

👉 For more ways to connect with your child, check out Guidance from The Therapist Parent at www.thetherapistparent.com or on Amazon.

15/11/2025

There’s a big difference between a threat and a boundary — even if the words sound similar.

⚡ Threat: “Clean your room or no TV.” (Comes from frustration and control.)
🌱 Boundary: “You can watch TV after your room is clean.” (Comes from calm guidance and clear limits.)

One triggers resistance. The other teaches responsibility and follows through with connection. 💛

👉 Learn more about setting boundaries that connect in Guidance from The Therapist Parent — available at www.thetherapistparent.com and on Amazon.