Anxiety in and of itself is a normal part of what it is to be human. We ALL get anxious sometimes. Its our brain and nervous system’s way of telling us ‘I don’t feel safe’ Whether it’s an upcoming spelling test or a snarling dog lunging at us in the street – our brain and body react the same way – we experience our ‘stress response’ which gears us up to fight / flee / faint or freeze… we are designed to ACT. so, if we are worrying at night about all the things we have to do, about the exam we have or the test we have to take… our nervous system still responds … so we need to help ourselves work THROUGH and release the energy that gets created as a result, by the stress response .. we need to let that anxiety / stress out ! If we don’t, then our worries can do what I think of as get stacked up on top of one another and that’s when we start to feel overwhelmed … so doing any somatic exercises – things we can do physically – anything that is patterned, repetitive, and rhythmic , help to soothe our nervous system and bring us back to balance .. they effectively exorcise the worries we have within. The butterfly hug was developed by Lucina Artigas and Ignacio Jarero, during their work with survivors of a hurricane in Mexico .. check out their work and the butterfly hug and find exercises that EMPOWER you to work WITH your anxiety … not feel overwhelmed by it ♥️ Do TAG anyone in the comments you think might benefit from knowing this #anxiety #anxietyrelief #mentalhealth #parentingtips
To soothe an anxious child we must lend our calm not join their chaos … it means we must regulate ourselves before we ‘step into the fray’ – a ‘palm pause’ or just taking a deep breath can help … then slowly, and soothingly let your child know ‘it’s ok…I’ve got you, I’m here…’ depending on your child’s needs you can offer a comforting hug… or the comfort of your presence … I talk ALOT about this in my book as it’s a question parents most often ask. The true path to helping our children to achieve good mental health is in supporting them to regulate their big emotions – and to manage stress. It doesn’t happen overnight … but by working somatically with your child … helping them to find wonderful ways to bring their nervous system back to calm … practice will ultimately make ‘perfect’ ( although just as there’s no such thing as ‘naughty’ there’s no such thing as perfect either 😉 ) much more on this to come… but for now just know that the more you can regulate your own emotions … the more you will help your child to regulate theirs xx #parenting #parentingtips #mentalhealthawareness #childrensmentalhealthweek #childrens #nervous #anxiety #anxietyrelief #anxietysupport #anxietyawareness #theresnosuchthingasnaughty
Anxiety is a normal part of what it is to be human… it’s our nervous system’s way of telling us ‘I don’t feel safe’ … and because our brain hasn’t evolved to tell the difference between threatening thoughts as much as threatening events … an upcoming job interview can give us sweaty palms and a racing heart … in the same way as having a near miss on the motorway … we are primed to fight/flight in situations of challenge … if we feel unable to escape or overcome .. we can be left with those ongoing feelings of ‘anxiousness’ I am going to show you how to help you – and your children – soothe those ‘fizzy’ feelings …and start a real co versatile about how to achieve true mental health and find balance ! TAG someone you know who might appreciate hearing this #anxiety #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #parentingtips
A VERY windy and spontaneous live about child ANXIETY .. I’ll get home and do a more considered one shortly – please send questions and I’ll pick one to give a demonstration of tips to help our children #childrensmentalhealth
We can all find change difficult – whether that’s starting a new job, if a friend moves away,or leaving our home to go on holiday. It’s no different for our children – except they’re navigating life with a brain that’s less mature than ours – their ‘wise owl’ ( pre frontal cortex) is less developed than ours – it’s more ‘little owl’ and she’s still earning her wings Our pre frontal cortex or what I think of as a wise owl – is the part of our brain that helps us to regulate our emotions and gives us a big picture perspective. It allows us to reassure ourselves that ‘it might feel difficult in my new job to begin with but it will get better with time – just as it did last time I changed jobs’ or ‘ I’m going to miss my friend terribly and I can feel sad, but I know I will see her again and we can keep in touch’ and ‘it always feels like this ahead of a holiday, I know I will enjoy it once I get there!’ We can reason with our anxiety and soothe ourselves – and we must help our children to do the same But not by denying their feelings or diminishing them Change and transitions can feel really big – and difficult – to navigate – so what to do to help ? 👉 sit with your child and gently let them know that even adults can find change difficult ( perhaps share some of your own examples when you have found change and transitions tough 👉 explain that our feelings around change are normal – we might feel excited, we might feel afraid – or even both ! 👉 reassure your child you will be there every step of the way and they can come to you and share their feelings 👉 you may want to draw the feelings together – using colours or simple words to represent them ‘what colour do you think your wobbly feeling has ?’ 👉 you may ask ‘and if this feeling could speak – what would it say?’ What we are trying to do is help our children to engage with their feelings – to experience them fully. We want to be there alongside so that our children know they won’t get lost in the fear or anxiety …. Because you are there to guide them .. and, importantly, you have felt these feelings too ( and still do !) but the message is ‘we can come through’ #anxiety #endofschoolyear
If you want to help your children – or yourself – to feel less anxious at night time .. consider that our anxious / skittish behaviour is driven by the most ancient part of the brain – the brain stem. I refer to in my book as ‘the lizard’ – it’s a deeply unconscious part of our brain – it does not ‘think’ or ‘reason’ its only job is to keep us alive so it responds in a flash to anything that it, and our nervous system, find threatening … for very young children it could be shadows on the wall, the noise of the boiler or the TV downstairs … it regulates our breathing / eating and sleeping patterns… so essentially if it’s out of kilter – so are we. Learning how to work WITH this part of the brain means we can learn how to soothe ’ it when it’s skittish … and we can help our children too. Using gentle words and a soft tone, sit with your child tonight if they are anxious and talk soothingly – telling them softly ‘it’s ok, you’re safe sweetheart, I’m here, it’s ok,’ and staying with your child until they fall asleep can be enough to help their ancient brain to feel more secure and in time they’ll fall asleep more easily … I know it can be frustrating and yes it can take time .. but our children – or more specifically their ancient ‘lizard ‘ have lived through a very frightening time in their short lives with covid and all the associated stress that came with it … there are many things that might be unsettling our children and if you have deep concerns you must always seek professional support … but in the first instance, being curious about what MIGHT be making your child feel less safe allows you to intuitively work with them to reduce those feelings: – leave a small night light on, – spend half an hour extra in quiet time – read with them before bed ( no screens !) – place a palm gently on the small of their back or their solar plexus as they lie in the dark, grounding them and those fuzzy feelings – a little massage if they welcome it, or a pitter pattter on their back with your fingers Ask your child what they feel might help too … they might not know the words … but they know how they want to feel .. #sleep #anxiety #anxietyrelief #parenting
Love this … #repost @parkysprincess Find someone who looks at you the way Kate looks at Kate…. The #princessofwales and @katesilverton , attend a breakout session in the Huth Gallery during the Shaping Us National Symposium at the Design Museum in London today….
Play is a hugely important way to improve and grow our children’s mental, emotional and social health. Given this week is Children’s Mental Health Week, I am delighted to be partnering with the TV series, Bing, to raise awareness and explore how playing can help us in our parenting – and bring more laughter and joy to our lives too! Please do head to my stories where I will share a link for you to get more info on @place2be #childrensmentalhealthweek and @bingbunny’s activity in support of the week where you will also find my blog with more advice on play. #parentingtips #childmentalhealth #play #bingbunny #BingsLittleWins #childrensmentalhealthweek #ad
During childrens mental health week it’s important we remember our own health too – for we cannot pour from an ‘empty cup’. We are often told to get out in nature for good mental health but it can be hard to get out and look up if we’re feeling overwhelmed. So here’s a bit of science to help you reconsider what it is your body and brain might need today. Our nervous system and primitive brain ( what I call our lizard ) constantly works to make sense of the environment around us because its job is to ensure our survival. It makes sense that when we’re in nature, surrounded by trees ( who all speak to each other via their roots!) we experience a greater sense of safety and serenity because we are more connected to a natural world that is at peace with itself. Feeling safe and connected on the outside allows us to feel better connected and soothed within. Looking at small ways to help your nervous system feel a bit safer and trust there’s a science to bringing your body back to calm. Life has a rhythm and we need to be in rhythm if we are to achieve balance – it can be the first gentle step towards creating a healthier mind-set. It can be a great first step to helping our children achieve calm too. Tag a parent you think might need to hear this – and do let me know what you’re doing to help soothe a frazzled nervous system . Just doing one thing – even if it’s googling nervous system how to bring it to balance !! Even better invite another parent out for a walk with you ♥️ #mentalhealth #nature #calm #rhythm #anxiety #overwhelm #childrensmentalhealthweek #parenting #parentingtips #parentingchallenges
Never forget the job you have at home is the most important one of all. Anyone involved in raising a child is in the ‘brain development’ business – and we want to do our job well. Because we now know that the experiences we have in our earliest years – will influence our happiness and health for life. As a child therapist I can tell you that it’s NEVER too late to support your child’s future mental health and have the rich rewarding relationship and the happiness you both deserve. I’ve just finished my second book on parenting – focused at children in the primary years 5-11. I’ll share the science that reveals your child’s inner world and explains EVERYTHING about their behaviour – yes even the most baffling and bonkers bits ! TAG someone you know might have a question for me or need some support COMMENT if you have a question too ! #love #parenting #parentingtips #play
Never forget the job you have at home is the most important one of all. Anyone involved in raising a child is in the ‘brain development’ business – and we want to do our job well. Because we now know that the experiences we have in our earliest years – will influence our happiness and health for life. As a child therapist I can tell you that it’s NEVER too late to support your child’s future mental health and have the rich rewarding relationship and the happiness you both deserve. I’ve just finished my second book on parenting – focused at children in the primary years 5-11. I’ll share the science that reveals your child’s inner world and explains EVERYTHING about their behaviour – yes even the most baffling and bonkers bits ! TAG someone you know might have a question for me or need some support COMMENT if you have a question too ! #love #parenting #parentingtips #play
Child Counsellor and Sunday Times bestselling author Kate Silverton chats with us about the importance of nature for our wellbeing, children’s mental health, and her favourite #gardensforgoodcauses, including the @freedomfromtorture garden, the @wchildcancer garden, and the @panathlonchallenge garden! 💚 🌿 @katesilverton’s eye was caught particularly by the @bowelresearchuk Microbiome garden, designed by @sidhillecogardens and @chrishullgardens. Drawing inspiration from medical and botanical research, the garden includes an edible meadow and aims to inspire people to rewild their diets, gardens and their relationship with the land. Thank you for visiting @project.giving.back! 🫶 #rhschelsea #rhschelseaflowershow #chelseaflowershow #projectgivingback #gardensforgoodcauses #horticulture #katesilverton #childsmentalhealth #mentalwellbeing
Listen to the latest episode of Joy of Home where we had a conversation with renowned broadcaster, journalist, published author, and now a child therapist @katesilverton . We discussed Kate’s fascinating career journey, from a corporate job to becoming a beloved TV personality and her eventual transition into child therapy. . Listen the full episode from the links in the bio 🎧❤️ . . . #podcast #interiorspodcast #interiordesign #joyofhome #podcastersofinstagram #newepisode #newpod #talkinginteriors #interiorschat #joyfulhome . . . #podcast #interiorspodcast #interiordesign #joyofhome #podcastersofinstagram #newepisode #newpod #talkinginteriors #interiorschat #joyfulhome
#repost @mothers_at_home_matter This was just one of the fantastic quotes that @katesilverton shared with us at our conference last week. If you’d like to hear Kate’s keynote talk, as well as the rest of the days speakers, just become a member before the 1st December. For a limited time only, MAHM membership will include a FREE copy of the conference recording – an incredible bargain for just £12.50 for the year. 🔗Just click the link in our bio to join us. #MothersAtHomeMatter #KateSilverton
#repost @mothers_at_home_matter This was just one of the fantastic quotes that @katesilverton shared with us at our conference last week. If you’d like to hear Kate’s keynote talk, as well as the rest of the days speakers, just become a member before the 1st December. For a limited time only, MAHM membership will include a FREE copy of the conference recording – an incredible bargain for just £12.50 for the year. 🔗Just click the link in our bio to join us. #MothersAtHomeMatter #KateSilverton
Loved, loved this chat this week @joyofhome_podcast On this week’s episode of Joy of Home, we had the wonderful @katesilverton as our first guest in 2024! We talked about Kate’s new book ‘There’s Still No Such Thing As Naughty’, her move to the countryside and how Susanna and Kate met. Listen the full episode from the links in the bio 🎧❤️ . . Ps. Kate is looking for a designer to help her design her new studio so she can show parents how to supporting their children with play – if that sounds like something you can do, please contact her! . #podcast #interiorspodcast #interiordesign #joyofhome #podcastersofinstagram #newepisode #newpod #talkinginteriors #interiorschat #joyfulhome
A week on from the symposium and I am still digesting the information and wisdom shared. I felt very privileged to be invited as part of this very special @Earlychildhood symposium, beautifully hosted by @fearnecotton. Gathering so many experts and expert voices in the field, listening to some of my great heroes including Professor Jack Shonkoff (@developingchildharvard), and Professor Eamon McCrory and hearing the lived experience and stories from Neil Leitch OBE, Beverley Barnett-Jones MBE and Ashley John-Baptiste (@Ashleyjbaptiste). The time is now to support our children. No longer can we ignore the science that shows us how we raise healthy children and to do that collectively among a supportive community. Understanding the science that supports what our ancestors instinctively knew. Compassion, love and nurture are vital if we are to raise resilient and happy future generations, and like HRH Princess of Wales (@princeandprincessofwales) so poignantly said we can only do that “if we can create a society which sees the child within every adult”. Here are some of my other favourite quotes from the day. #ShapingUs
A week on from the symposium and I am still digesting the information and wisdom shared. I felt very privileged to be invited as part of this very special @Earlychildhood symposium, beautifully hosted by @fearnecotton. Gathering so many experts and expert voices in the field, listening to some of my great heroes including Professor Jack Shonkoff (@developingchildharvard), and Professor Eamon McCrory and hearing the lived experience and stories from Neil Leitch OBE, Beverley Barnett-Jones MBE and Ashley John-Baptiste (@Ashleyjbaptiste). The time is now to support our children. No longer can we ignore the science that shows us how we raise healthy children and to do that collectively among a supportive community. Understanding the science that supports what our ancestors instinctively knew. Compassion, love and nurture are vital if we are to raise resilient and happy future generations, and like HRH Princess of Wales (@princeandprincessofwales) so poignantly said we can only do that “if we can create a society which sees the child within every adult”. Here are some of my other favourite quotes from the day. #ShapingUs
A week on from the symposium and I am still digesting the information and wisdom shared. I felt very privileged to be invited as part of this very special @Earlychildhood symposium, beautifully hosted by @fearnecotton. Gathering so many experts and expert voices in the field, listening to some of my great heroes including Professor Jack Shonkoff (@developingchildharvard), and Professor Eamon McCrory and hearing the lived experience and stories from Neil Leitch OBE, Beverley Barnett-Jones MBE and Ashley John-Baptiste (@Ashleyjbaptiste). The time is now to support our children. No longer can we ignore the science that shows us how we raise healthy children and to do that collectively among a supportive community. Understanding the science that supports what our ancestors instinctively knew. Compassion, love and nurture are vital if we are to raise resilient and happy future generations, and like HRH Princess of Wales (@princeandprincessofwales) so poignantly said we can only do that “if we can create a society which sees the child within every adult”. Here are some of my other favourite quotes from the day. #ShapingUs
A week on from the symposium and I am still digesting the information and wisdom shared. I felt very privileged to be invited as part of this very special @Earlychildhood symposium, beautifully hosted by @fearnecotton. Gathering so many experts and expert voices in the field, listening to some of my great heroes including Professor Jack Shonkoff (@developingchildharvard), and Professor Eamon McCrory and hearing the lived experience and stories from Neil Leitch OBE, Beverley Barnett-Jones MBE and Ashley John-Baptiste (@Ashleyjbaptiste). The time is now to support our children. No longer can we ignore the science that shows us how we raise healthy children and to do that collectively among a supportive community. Understanding the science that supports what our ancestors instinctively knew. Compassion, love and nurture are vital if we are to raise resilient and happy future generations, and like HRH Princess of Wales (@princeandprincessofwales) so poignantly said we can only do that “if we can create a society which sees the child within every adult”. Here are some of my other favourite quotes from the day. #ShapingUs
A week on from the symposium and I am still digesting the information and wisdom shared. I felt very privileged to be invited as part of this very special @Earlychildhood symposium, beautifully hosted by @fearnecotton. Gathering so many experts and expert voices in the field, listening to some of my great heroes including Professor Jack Shonkoff (@developingchildharvard), and Professor Eamon McCrory and hearing the lived experience and stories from Neil Leitch OBE, Beverley Barnett-Jones MBE and Ashley John-Baptiste (@Ashleyjbaptiste). The time is now to support our children. No longer can we ignore the science that shows us how we raise healthy children and to do that collectively among a supportive community. Understanding the science that supports what our ancestors instinctively knew. Compassion, love and nurture are vital if we are to raise resilient and happy future generations, and like HRH Princess of Wales (@princeandprincessofwales) so poignantly said we can only do that “if we can create a society which sees the child within every adult”. Here are some of my other favourite quotes from the day. #ShapingUs
A week on from the symposium and I am still digesting the information and wisdom shared. I felt very privileged to be invited as part of this very special @Earlychildhood symposium, beautifully hosted by @fearnecotton. Gathering so many experts and expert voices in the field, listening to some of my great heroes including Professor Jack Shonkoff (@developingchildharvard), and Professor Eamon McCrory and hearing the lived experience and stories from Neil Leitch OBE, Beverley Barnett-Jones MBE and Ashley John-Baptiste (@Ashleyjbaptiste). The time is now to support our children. No longer can we ignore the science that shows us how we raise healthy children and to do that collectively among a supportive community. Understanding the science that supports what our ancestors instinctively knew. Compassion, love and nurture are vital if we are to raise resilient and happy future generations, and like HRH Princess of Wales (@princeandprincessofwales) so poignantly said we can only do that “if we can create a society which sees the child within every adult”. Here are some of my other favourite quotes from the day. #ShapingUs
A week on from the symposium and I am still digesting the information and wisdom shared. I felt very privileged to be invited as part of this very special @Earlychildhood symposium, beautifully hosted by @fearnecotton. Gathering so many experts and expert voices in the field, listening to some of my great heroes including Professor Jack Shonkoff (@developingchildharvard), and Professor Eamon McCrory and hearing the lived experience and stories from Neil Leitch OBE, Beverley Barnett-Jones MBE and Ashley John-Baptiste (@Ashleyjbaptiste). The time is now to support our children. No longer can we ignore the science that shows us how we raise healthy children and to do that collectively among a supportive community. Understanding the science that supports what our ancestors instinctively knew. Compassion, love and nurture are vital if we are to raise resilient and happy future generations, and like HRH Princess of Wales (@princeandprincessofwales) so poignantly said we can only do that “if we can create a society which sees the child within every adult”. Here are some of my other favourite quotes from the day. #ShapingUs
