Relax Kids with Kirsty

A great message of encouraging children to feel their negative emotions without allowing inappropriate behavioural responses

Lots of good advice in this article and the same applies to sons too

This is so important, I’m sharing from @revelatori. . If you are feeling like you are not functioning normally and struggling to meet the expectations you put on yourself it is because your basic human needs of safety and belonging (among others) are threatened right now. This is the very basics of psychology so please be kind and compassionate to yourself! . Just now feels like a critical point in this pandemic so the more we can share to help people understand their experie...nce and move through it, the better. . Sending lots of love See more

I’ve noticed when my little girl chooses her clothes in the morning she will sometimes say things like my nursery friends are going to love this or something similar. Her decisions are often based on the potential opinions of others. I think she might have picked this way of thinking up from me at some point...argh! On one hand, she is just young, and this is not inherently a bad thing, but I want to ensure we nurture her sense of trusting and respecting herself above the... opinions of others. Relying on external praise and recognition to feel good is a recipe for shaky self esteem and confidence! One simple phrase I now consistently reply with which just shifts the focus is: Do you like it? Because that is always the most important thing #raisingdaughters #selfesteem #happykids #mindfulnesforkids #parenting #calmkids #confidentkids #kindkids #raisingkids #selfloveforkids

Just overheard these two having a wee chat this morning.... . Anna (4) tomorrow is Monday and that means I go to nursery and then Gran’s house but I don’t want to go to nursery tomorrow, I don’t really like going to nursery . Robyn (2) but you can do hard things Anna... . Anna: yea . Me: in bits . Teaching children to say I can do hard things is such a powerful way to teach confidence, resilience and a positive mindset . #childrensmentalhealth #happykids #positivemindset #calmkids #confidentchildren #raisingdaughters #raisingboys #parentingtips #earlyyearseducation #mindfulkids #childrenswellbeing See more

We can’t expect teachers to be mental health professionals on top of their day job but there should be much more time and money made available to ensure children get mental health support as well as a shift in focus on preventative programmes like Relax Kids. What does your school do to teach, prevent and support children with their mental and emotional health?

Between the weather changing and the seemingly never-ending C virus threat affecting work and restrictions on life....just now feels quite hard. . My mood always takes a dip at this time of year, I think I definitely suffer with Seasonal Affective Disorder. . I know I cant be alone in feeling like this just now. Here are some things I am doing which really are helping me through it:... . Couch to 5k for exercise, outdoor time and a sense of achievement (I am NOT a runner so this is a lot for me). As soon as I started this I felt happier, more energised and I definitely sleep better. . Getting the house ready for autumn / winter with candles, fairy lights etc. It’s all about embracing the #hygge . Mindful walks with the kids to nursery noticing the changes in the colours of the leaves and the weather with curiosity and not judgement. My natural response is the weather is miserable, I hate winter, can I hibernate?! . Doing something everyday that brings a bit of joy or lighthearted escapism, bring on season 3 of Selling Sunset! . Planing for the future so there are things to look forward to. . Accepting it’s ok to feel blue from time to time and just feeling it, not fighting it or feeling bad for it. . Focusing my attention on activities, playing and being creative with the kids. Not only does this quality time bring out the best in them but it is a great way for parents to be big kids and take life a bit less seriously! . These are all examples of self regulation and this is what we want our children to be able to do. They will inevitably experience sadness, worry, frustration, disappointment etc in their lives, but we want them to be able to acknowledge, accept, understand and find strategies to cope. The more we do this, the more likely they are to copy us! We need to be who we want them to be! . Hit me up with any tips that are helping you during this time! . #mentalhealthmatters #endthestigmaofmentalhealth #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #parenting #seasonalaffectivedisorder #mindfulnessforparents #mindfulnessforkids #relaxkids #relaxkidscoach

A great resource for parents to use at home to teach their children about emotional wellbeing is age appropriate books to read together. My friend Carla who distributes Usborne books is offering a special discount to my followers of 20% off the RRP on the mental health section of her catalogue. Here are some of my favourite Usborne titles to support children’s mental health and emotional well-being:... The Unworry Book Unworry Magic Painting Unhurry Book Looking after your Mental Health Jemima Small Vs the Universe (fiction novel dealing with bullying) Also, her special offer at the moment is 20% off the All About my Life series which are great books for discussing feelings and relationships. Check out her page and let her know you are a Relax Kids with Kirsty customer and she will honour the discount!

Made a special den to relax in tonight... Sometimes we get the giggles when we settle down to meditate...but that’s ok! We got there in the end and the wee one asked for ‘nuther story’ after her full moon meditation! Both went out like a light tonight ... #relaxationforkids #mindfulnessforkids #calmkids #wellbeingforkids #relaxkids #earlychildhood #earlychildhoodmentalhealth #childrensmentalhealth

It’s so wintery out there tonight is the perfect night to have a relaxing evening, get cosy and try a little meditation. We could all use more time spent relaxing our minds and bodies and children are no exception. Plus, it’s a full moon so you might find emotions are running higher than normal today! Try reading this full moon meditation to the kids at bed time in a soft and soothing voice and help get them get off to a happy peaceful sleep!

Hi everyone and happy Friday! . A few parents have been in touch asking me about future classes. I can’t wait to get going again! .... I just wanted to give you an update now since leisure and fitness classes will soon be back up and running. . I’m planning for new classes and just making sure the details are right so that I can start my classes again safely whilst not compromising on the quality of the class. . I am looking to start up again on the first week of October with a Sunday morning and mid week after school class. Those who have already booked onto the previous block that was cancelled due to covid will be emailed with options and you will obviously have a place as a priority. . I’ll keep social media updated with the details but if you want to be sent the info directly please send me your email and I’ll add you to my mailing list. Thanks everyone, have a nice weekend!