Losing a parent is one of the most heart-breaking experiences a child can go through. When a child is grieving, they often don’t have the words to explain what they’re feeling, but their bodies and behaviours tell the story. Trouble sleeping. Tummy aches. Sudden outbursts. Withdrawal. These are all common signs of anxiety, worry, and sadness in children trying to process grief.

We recently heard from a parent who shared the emotional story of their children’s journey after losing their dad, and how a Calmness Crew plushie became an unexpected source of comfort during their darkest moments.

From Panic Attacks to Mental Health Plushies: How my daughter’s struggles inspired the creation of mental health plushies.

A few years ago, coming out of lockdown, my daughter was so gripped by anxiety that she couldn’t leave the house, sit in the car, or go to school. It was heart breaking to watch, and like many parents, I felt completely lost. I’d find myself crying on many occasions feeling as though I’d failed as a parent, as I was completely helpless, unable to change how my daughter was feeling.

It’s easy to overlook how much the little things shape the way children feel about themselves. Among the simplest yet most powerful tools we can offer them is the habit of using positive affirmations.

Affirmations are short, uplifting phrases that children repeat to themselves, helping them build a strong and healthy inner voice. Phrases like “I am brave,” “I am calm,” or “I am kind” might seem small, but the effect they can have on a child’s self-belief and resilience is anything but.

When a child starts to feel anxious, overwhelmed, or on the verge of a panic attack, one of the most effective things they can do is breathe—but not just any breathing. Box breathing, also known as square breathing, is a simple yet powerful technique backed by science and recommended by psychologists, pediatricians, and educators for helping young people regulate their emotions and calm their nervous systems.

Have you ever looked into calming tools for anxiety, autism, or ADHD? If you have, chances are you’ve come across weighted blankets and weighted plushies.

Resilience is something that everybody has, and it plays a major role in your life.  No matter how old you are, resilience is an essential skill that helps us all keep going when times get hard.

Get some guidance and support for you or your teen, with a free skin analysis, from skin specialist Rebecca Willshee.

When starting a new school or returning from a holiday, it is normal to feel nervous. Here are some top tips to help you! As a parent or carer we can also do things to help the transition so check out this blog from Laura O’Leary, headteacher at Blessed Robert Sutton School.

Are you a teenager? Are you struggling with confidence and feeling down?

Personal Development Coach and NLP Practitioner Rebecca Hadley, talks about the issues teenagers face and how she can help to support parents and teenagers. Rebecca is offering a free one hour session.

Do you need help to explore and understand your emotions?