We have been donating to the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families’ Schools Outreach Service since 2017. Please see an account of a real life case study below. It's stories like this that helps you realise there are real people needing real help, and wonderful charities like Anna Freud are there for them. In October 2017, when Matthew* joined the family group at school, he was struggling with his behaviour. Despite being highly intelligent, funny, and thoughtful, he found it hard to listen to his parents and teachers. He was impulsive and called out in lessons. In the playground things were also difficult. Matthew would often get into trouble and be given 'red cards', which made him feel even worse and...
“Pull yourself together, the kids will see you” “Don’t cry in front of the children” “Come on, you’re a parent - you’re supposed to be the strong one”. Ever been told something like this? Ever told YOURSELF something like this? Well, I’m calling bullsh*t on every phrase with a similar sentiment. I say this because as a parent myself, those phrases plagued my internal dialogue for years. I felt the pressure to be 'okay' all the time. And because no-one can be okay all the time and I'm a wear-your-heart-on-your-sleeve kind of gal, I’d inevitably explode/implode/melt into a puddle of hot mess when the going got tough. Post meltdown, convinced that I'd broken my kids, I'd torture myself for falling short of my...
When @smith_webb contacted me about getting involved with their #itsok campaign with @mindcharity I just had to show my support...so let’s break down the stigma and talk about mental health. It’s so hard as a Mum not to feel like you should be able to do it all. There’s so much pressure to be the best mother, best wife/partner, keep a home and work but what I’ve learnt is to be the best me some things have to give. I’m not one to talk as I always want to do it all myself and I like to feel in control of everything but in reality when I take it all on I just feel like I’m sinking. It’s so hard...
I’m taking part in the @smith_webb and @mindcharity campaign to remind you (and myself!) that #itsok not to be OK - we all need help every now and then. I’ve had that horrible tight, anxious feeling in my chest for the last few months, whenever I think about my monstrous to do list. Then I sort of get paralysed and can’t do any of it. Can you identify? I became self employed as a freelance copywriter 3 and a half years ago to be able to spend more time with the girls. Slowly but surely I’ve been filling that time with the odd extra client here and there as I don’t want to let them down, until I’m back working the equivalent of 4 days a week...
What are you worried about today? Worrying is a place most of us are familiar with, we worry mostly about stuff we’ve assumed from conversations, what other people think of us, and of course from our own thoughts, that’s where worry is in our minds. Worrying is helpful it helps us solve problems and take action. Worrying is normal, its how we are made up as humans its how our minds keep us safe. However worrying can get out of hand, it can become a pattern of how we think, it can lead to feeling anxious, brings us swiftly to a negative place, and most importantly it stops us doing things. So how do you worry less? mostly...
