Orit Grossman Educational Psychologist

15/12/2021

https://selfsufficientkids.com/kids-respect/

It is possible to model and teach kids respect without allowing them to walk all over us. Here are four ways to make that happen.

04/11/2021

. This is an incredible opportunity for talented grade 7 learners from historically disadvantaged families: 100 grade 7s will be awarded scholarships to attend UCT Online High School next year - 100% tuition covered through the Sanlam UCT Online High Scholarship Programme. There are 12 days left to apply. Follow the link below for more information. Please pass on this opportunity to your networks - especially primary school teachers, leaders and grade 7 learners.
https://www.uctonlinehighschool.com/sanlam-scholarships

19/01/2021

12/10/2020

https://themighty.com/2018/10/child-school-invisible-disability/

"Yet, it was clear there was a wrongful belief that his disability was behavioral and that his behaviors were intentional and manipulative."

19/08/2020

https://blogs.psychcentral.com/childhood-neglect/2017/07/7-signs-you-grew-up-with-childhood-emotional-neglect/?li_source=LI&li_medium=popular17

Childhood Emotional Neglect is both simple in its definition and powerful in its effects. It happens when your parents fail to respond enough to your emotional needs while they’re raising you. Emotional Neglect is an invisible, unmemorable childhood...

16/08/2020

https://www.yourtango.com/experts/nicola-beer/how-set-healthy-boundaries-you-stop-getting-hurt

Do what's right for you.

13/08/2020

https://thriveglobal.com/stories/try-this-simple-mindfulness-exercise-to-help-relieve-stress-and-anxiety/?utm_content=buffera9bdb&utm_medium=Thrive&utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=Buffer

When we're constantly trying to keep up with our inboxes and to-do lists, we forget about the simple act of slowing down and noticing our thoughts.

03/08/2020

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10158243425830865&id=149200885864

No matter how versed you are in the art of awareness, your sincere efforts to explore the present moment go a long way in bringing you and your partner closer.

02/08/2020

https://www.raisingteenagers.com.au/9-ways-to-support-kids-who-are-anxious-about-returning-to-school/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+com%2FqzyR+%28Raising+Teenagers%29

9 Ways to Support Kids who are Anxious about Returning to School. The response of schools and parents can make all the difference.

30/07/2020

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=142562674140843&id=107150654348712

Ok, so let’s talk about mum guilt.

Imagine this. Your child really wants to play with you, but you have to sort the washing. They want you to get the paddling pool out, but it has a puncture in it. You need to do more times table practise with them but you’re so tired. They want the latest games console but it’s just too expensive. Whatever causes it, mum guilt can be an inconvenience at best, and agonisingly exhausting at worst.

As mums, we put so much pressure on ourselves to be perfect, that we rarely, if ever, live up to our own expectations. Social media is a trap; we catch a glimpse of people’s ‘perfect’ lives, when it is often just a posed snapshot amongst an otherwise messy imperfect day. I’m as much to blame as anyone with this; I try to get the smiling children, with their clean clothes, neat hair, mown lawn, all finished off with a glorious sunset in the background. The reality however, was probably very different; quick wet wipe to the toddler’s face to scrub off last night’s dinner, get just the right angle to avoid the dead lawn and overgrown weeds, and bribe the children with Mcdonalds if they will just stop arguing and smile for one minute.

In the last week, my ‘mum-guilt list’ includes:
The boys don’t eat enough healthy food
They have too much screen time
I don’t play with them enough
I haven’t hoovered the house again
I should spend more time reading with them
I shouldn’t sit down, I should be doing something
I shouldn’t want half an hour to myself, that’s selfish
I’m too strict
I’m not strict enough
I should be more adventurous and take them out more
I should do more baking with them
I should keep on top of the tidying up

And the list goes on and on. The overall feeling of not doing enough; not being enough. Why do we put such pressure on ourselves? Why do we feel so weighed down by obligation and expectation? It’s unhealthy and quite honestly damaging to our mental health.

I believe we need to ask ourselves this simple question; are our children safe and loved? Sure, some days will go better than others. Hey, we’re human. So what if the TV is on for 3 hours? Who really cares if your children are having chicken nuggets for the third night this week? Does a 9 o’clock bedtime hurt once in a while?

Are our children safe and loved?

Let go of the guilt, Mama. You are doing just fine. You are enough. You are more than enough. 💕

30/07/2020

https://www.facebook.com/149200885864/posts/10158268139135865/

Kids are stressed by the pandemic, too—it would almost be strange if they weren't! But some behaviors signal that extra support may be needed.