INSPIRING WARRIORS

Does your child avoid certain food or clothing textures? Or maybe you notice that they constantly seek out or crave playing with fidget toys or slime-like textures?

As humans, we develop sensory preferences based on how our bodies interpret the world, and some of us are much more sensitive than others.

This is all a normal part of individual development, but parents are often unsure when intervention is required...🤔. So when do differences in how kids process sensory information become problematic & need additional support? 💙

What Is Sensory Processing Disorder? Children who are deemed ‘sensitive’ or ‘picky’ might be struggling with a treatable condition.

Kindness & empathy...valuable life skills that need to be modeled, developed & practiced over & over again. 💙

...🙈🙊🙉

Let’s show them.

What is EQ, & why is it now understood to be a greater predictor of overall success than IQ is? 🤔

“Kids with high levels of emotional intelligence [EQ] communicate more clearly, take turns & share, focus on resolving problems & understand other kids’ feelings...are (also) better able to control inappropriate behaviour, delay gratification, & know when to seek help with a difficult social situation or emotional problem”.

Some great tips in this article on how to help your child practice the skills they need to develop their emotional intelligence! 💙

Perspective | Why parents should be concerned about their kids’ ‘EQ,’ not just their IQ Emotional intelligence involves our ability to identify our own feelings and emotional responses, regulate them, empathize and identify them in others. You can help foster that in your kids.

All of this....💙

The past two weeks all my posts have centered around limit-setting with children:
1️⃣ Recognize what I have control over.
2️⃣ Establish family values.
3️⃣ Model and enforce limits
4️⃣ How to reframe backtalk after a limit is given
5️⃣ How to ride-out a tantrum after a limit is given

And now:
6️⃣ Self-reflection after we set limits with our children.

I often find that when I speak to parents, particularly moms, their self-reflection is harsh.
I know I shouldn’t yell, but…
I am just so tired.
I feel so out of control.
I’m failing my child.

This statements hurt my heart. I just ache for this parent who judges their own struggles so heavily.

What I have discovered is: being a parent brings up every single unsolved wound, stuffed emotion, biggest fears.

By loving someone so much, we have to be more vulnerable than we’ve ever been before. And if we’re not comfortable being vulnerable because of past events, this can be hard.

So when we blow-up or shut down, or dish out punitive punishment, take some time, self-reflect, get curious, and ask “Why?”

🔹We self-reflect in order to understand ourselves better.
🔹We self-reflect in order to better understand past situations.
🔹We self-reflect in order to grow.

My secret: these posts are my self-reflections. They are my daily work to ensure my continued growth as a person and as a mom.
💗💗💗
So thank you, for reading these words, and giving me a powerful purpose to engage in this work every day. Each comment, message, like is affirmation that this self-reflection matters outside of my own little world. So thank you for being here! And double tap, so I know these words helped you today.
💗💗💗

▪️ Are you managing you child's NDIS plan?
▪️ Are you looking to connect your child with additional supports or services to enhance their well-being?
▪️ Are you looking for additional supports or programs for yourself as a parent, within your child's plan?

Get in touch with Fiona via [email protected] to find out what programs & services we provide that will support your child'.s plan goals..💙

Inspiring Warriors is now a registered NDIS provider of Therapeutic Services! 💙

Want to know more about what programs we run & what services we offer? You can find us at our brand new website www.inspiringwarriors.com.au

Alternatively, get in touch with Fiona or Jane at [email protected] if you would like more information or to arrange a time to discuss your specific query or concern.

Change the language we use. Be curious about the underlying emotions. Respond with empathy. Notice the shift. 💙

Be curious about your child's connection-seeking (not 'attention-seeking) behaviour...🤔
▪️When does it tend to happen, is there a pattern?
▪️What low-level emotions might I have missed brewing away, before my child escalated their behaviour?
▪️ How could I meet their need right now, in the moment? 💙

A ‘Dad’ can come in many shapes, sizes & forms...😎
Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads, Grandads, Step-Dads, Step-Grandads, Uncle’s, brothers & other significant male role models doing their best to provide love, security & guidance for their children...💙

This Father's Day we're sending loads of 💙 to all Dads celebrating the day!

We also understand the day can be really upsetting to some in our community bringing up complex feelings and emotions. If you're finding it hard to cope, please reach out to us on 13 11 14. We are here for you.

Artwork, with thanks, Gabby Frost Designs

➡️ I SEE YOU
➡️ I HEAR YOU
➡️ I'M HERE FOR YOU
➡️YOU BELONG HERE
➡️YOU ARE SAFE
➡️I WILL KEEP YOU SAFE

Love this page, it's messages, especially this one regarding the role we can play in being being our children's "safe keeper" while they are dis-regulated (or when they are 'melting down'😉)

💙 Jane & Fiona

These are the messages our children need to hear, and the order in which they need to hear them. Our brain needs to know it’s safe before it can register any other message. This is why it’s so important we stay calm and focus on becoming our child’s “safe keeper” while they’re tantruming; we need to soothe that survival state.

⭐️I will keep you safe.
⭐️You are safe.
⭐️I’ve got you.
⭐️My job is to keep you safe. Your job is to help keep it safe. (Thank you for that one!!)

Next, our children need to learn they are loved and belong. Brain research has confirmed what psychological theory has taught for decades: after our basic needs of food, water, shelter, safety are met, we need belonging. Our brains are wired to be social, so the need for belonging is deeply rooted in our being.

⭐️I see you.
⭐️I hear you.
⭐️I’m here for you.
⭐️You belong here.
⭐️You are so loved.

Finally, humans are wired to be productive. We need to feel like we are contributing to society. Again, brain research has confirmed what psychology has theorized for decades. We can see this need fulfilled after a great trauma or loss happens in someone’s life and they turn tragedy into a mission. Making a contribution, positively impacting others, helps us stay in our executive brain so we don’t get lost in big, overwhelming emotions.

⭐️You can help.
⭐️That was helpful!
⭐️You are needed.
⭐️You’re doing it!

Consciously answering these needs on daily basis will help you maintain calm and connect with your child. When we do so proactively, our children won’t have to ask in big ways [through behavior] as much.

What phrases resonate with you the most?