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I’m self-compassionate because I’m resilient – tips for mothers & children to building emotional resilience
Before we get into the WHAT and HOW to practice self-compassion, let’s start with the WHY. Why bother? Research shows that practicing self-compassion: Increases happiness, positive feelings and life satisfaction (Zessin, et al., 2015) Cultivates feelings of hope, gratefulness and curiosity (Gunnell, et al., 2017; Neff, et al., 2007, 2018a) Reduces stress, anxiety and depressive…
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What is counselling?
After 4 years undertaking my Masters of Arts in Counseling, my parents admitted over a family lunch, “Actually, I still don’t get it. What do you do?” Honestly, counselling sounded like fluff to me. I sit down, talk to a person for a couple of times and miraculously, my problems go away and I become…
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How busy moms stay sane and teach their kids emotional resilience (tips from a mental health counsellor)
Your body – specifically, your autonomic nervous system (ANS), is always giving you information. The ANS has trackers, called “neuroception,” that scans your external environment (i.e. what you can see, hear, smell, taste or touch) and internal environment (i.e. your stomach, your heart rate). It then comes up with quick decisions on whether you’re safe…
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Setting boundaries with parents and in laws – How to parent YOUR way
We don’t exist as individuals. Regardless of how close (or not) we feel to our communities, they influence how we communicate and resolve differences with others. These communities can be your family or the larger culture. Think of a family tree. An organizational chart. These are visual representations of human systems. What happens to others…
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Maternal Mental Health and Child’s Development: Research Says There’s a Direct Link
The World Health Organization defines maternal mental health as “a state of well-being in which a mother realizes her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to her community” (Herman, et al., 2006). Perinatal mental health issues are common 10…
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Start where you are.
This is my all-time favourite mantra since becoming a mother. I know myself, I’ve the habit of wanting to be an expert at everything because I’m anxious that I’d somehow miss something, and my child would get less than she deserves. When I first heard about environmental toxins, I nearly threw out all our baby…
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Every choice is a parenting decision.
Even those you think are made from societal pressure, circumstance, or ignorance. I know, that sounds kind of scary and overwhelming. I’ve a personal story. When my child turned 6 months and I was due back at work, I decided to place my child with my mother. Mothers, they can be strong convictions about how…
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It takes practice.
Parenting can be messy. You’re new to it – how do you discipline, how do you stay calm, how do you make decisions about everything from food to childcare to family values. Aside from the emotional turmoil of being uncertain, parenting is also quite literally messy. Think baby-led weaning. Think your child would never throw…
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It’s messy because you’re new at it.
Ask a breastfeeding mother. Have you stained your clothes and needed yet another change? Have you also sprayed milk all over your bra, your new bed covers and your newborn’s entire face? Have you struggled with the nursing cover while trying to keep your wailing newborn from falling? Have you skipped a pump because you…
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Be Mindful
Who has tried sitting for five minutes and was uninterrupted? I CELEBRATE WITH YOU. That is a rare gift for me. And for a while, it frustrated me. I’d snap at my poor toddler, “I’m meditating! Give me some time, please!” Yet, mindfulness is such a useful grounding technique. It also contributes to so much…
