There is something about a hospital waiting room that makes you notice people. Perhaps it is the waiting itself. The uncertainty of not quite knowing how long you will be there, what will happen next, or what you might be told. Perhaps it is the unfamiliar surroundings, the conversations happening around you, or the way ordinary life seems to continue beyond the waiting room doors while, for a little while, your own world feels suspended. For a child, this is a place full of

Helping young children manage their feelings can be tricky. Sometimes, they get upset or anxious, and it’s hard for them to calm down. The 54321 method is a popular way to help with this. But for younger kids, it can feel a bit complicated. That’s why I want to share a simpler version that works just as well. This easy method helps children focus on the world around them. It brings their attention to the present moment. This can stop worries and big feelings from taking over.

The school gates reopen and within days — sometimes hours — you start to see it. The child who cried through the last week of term is now refusing to get dressed. The one who seemed fine all Easter is suddenly hitting their sibling. The quiet one has gone quieter. April is one of the most psychologically complex months in a child's year. The summer term is long, the expectations are high, and children arrive back at school having spent two weeks deregulating in ways their ner

Christmas is often painted as the most magical time of year, especially for children. Twinkling lights, festive films, piles of presents, and joyful family gatherings dominate our cultural picture of December. Yet beneath the sparkle lies a far more complicated reality for many families. December brings a perfect storm of challenges for young people’s well-being: end-of-term exhaustion, flu season, disrupted routines, and intense pressure to meet festive expectations. Underst