Most adults will agree that when you really need someone to listen to you it does not help if all you get are unsolicited advice, the other person’s opinion or worst still constant interruptions from their handheld device. In fact many adults are becoming quite vocal about how much they
It is hard to understand why your child, or anyone else’s children would deliberately harm themselves. There is a lot of confusion, misinformation and even taboo talking about Self-harm, even though Child Helplines and other support organisations are reporting a steep increase in cases. Self-harm, also called self-injury, self-mutilation or
It’s that time of year again when it seems everywhere you look is covered in hearts and flowers. The pressure is on to have a Valentine or be someone’s Valentine or make someone YOUR valentine. Culturally it seems no corner of the world is safe, and with social media it’s
A new year has begun with the promise of new beginnings, resolutions, and as always the feeling in the air that we can start over and put the past behind us. Yes even THAT year. But what if you don’t feel this way, what if in fact you have woken
With the traditional time upon us when families come together to celebrate Christmas I have been talking to friends about their plans and preparations for this holiday season. It does not surprise me that they speak of feeling stressed by the prospect of organising celebrations; the kids, their spouses, the
Have you ever had one of those days when sibling rivalry has turned to war and your partner is picking holes in your attempts at discipline? Voices are getting louder, tempers are rising and everything is spiraling out of control. You find yourself shouting or using ‘your parent voice’ –
I accompanied my daughter for the last time today into the corridors and inner sanctum of the Primary classroom. After today I am strictly forbidden without invitation to these hallowed walls. My baby has gone to Big School. Slightly giddy with the prospect of 30 minutes to myself, at least
This is the second article under the theme of “What is a Good Ending and Are They Necessary?” In the last article we started to explore what we might do to make a good ending out of a difficult goodbye. In this article I’ll discuss what so many of us
The theme of our last Passage Professionals Network evening was ‘Good Endings & New Beginnings’. During this session we had a discussion about what this theme means to us personally and professionally as well as discussing strategies in providing support for families in transition. As is often the case in
Here we are again at the beginning of a New Year and I can’t help but feel a little ‘deja vu’. The years seem to roll round just that little bit quicker which I’m told is a normal change in perception the more time you’ve spent on this earth (Making
