Hello and welcome to Surviving the Crazy Beautiful!
I’m Debbie and I believe in the power of play. I love helping parents, caregivers, and anyone else interested – learn how to use play therapy skills to support children’s mental and emotional well-being.
So, hands up…
If you love your kids so much you would die for them – BUT – then again you could kill them!
If some days in your home start out idyllic, like Little House on the Prairie – BUT – by bedtime (and you’ve no idea how) it’s much more Amityville Horror!
Or, if you once had little babies so cute you could have literally ate them – BUT – now they’re bigger and acting out, you wish you had!
Or if your kids simply bring you a whole bunch of crazy! And while much of this is entertainingly, hilarious crazy, some of it is highly annoying or downright worrying, loose sleep over, crazy. Things like…
- Tantrums
- Tears
- Panic attacks
- Low moods
- Argumentative & difficult behavior
- Unexplained bouts of sickness
- Slamming doors
- Kid’s joy crippled by anxiety
- School refusal
- Eating disorder tendencies
- Difficulty making friends
- Poor self-esteem
- Self-loathing
You know the drill. Who would have thought one experience – parenting – could bring so much joy, pain and worry all wrapped up in one?
If you relate, dear frazzled, wonderful mom, you fully understand the parenting paradox I call “the crazy beautiful” – and surviving it is a fine art!
This is the paradox I call ‘the crazy beautiful’ – and surviving it is a fine art!
But you’ve landed in the right place, and let me assure you there is hope…
The Power of Play Therapy
I’ve always worked with kids in some shape or form throughout my life. And as a mother, grandmother, youth club leader and classroom assistant, I’ve experienced many of the joys children bring.
Unfortunately I’ve also experienced a full plethora of problems and issues they bring. I hated to watch them struggle, knowing I had no effective tools or training to support them – and that’s what inspired me to take action.
And so, two worlds collided for me when my love of children, met my love of psychology, and I trained as a Play Therapist through the Academy of Play and Child Psychotherapy (APAC).
Play Therapy involves working to understand what makes children tick and helping them work through problematic behavior, negative thought patterns, and emotional distress. It helps them make sense of life’s problems, find positive ways to express difficult emotions, and move from a place of anxiety to thrive.
It was incredible. But there was something that stoked me even more…
During training, I discovered that Play Therapists aren’t the only ones who can use play therapy skills to support children’s emotional and mental well-being. Oh no!…
Why Parents Are The Perfect Choice To Use Play Therapy Skills To Support Children with Emotional and Behavioral Difficulties
You see, as a parent, you hold the most significant relationship in your child’s life – no-one knows your child better than you.
This means, that with the right insights and skills, you are in the optimal position to support your child. In fact evidence even suggests, that in many instances, this support is even more effective than that of a therapist. Now it doesn’t make you a Play Therapist – parent’s aren’t, nor should they be, therapists for their own children. Nor does it replace professional support for children who have a identified clinical problems or complex mental issues. But it does mean, through the magic of play, you can empower a child who is struggling.
I love this idea! So much so, it inspired me to start this blog. In fact, it’s the whole ethos behind it – ’empowering parents with Play Therapy tips’.
Empowering Parent’s with Play Therapy Tips
With this in mind, I bring parents the resources, tools, and skills they need to effectively support their children. It’s packed full of tips and advice for navigating your way through the many difficulties our little ones bring us.
All the advice here, is based on research and findings from the wonderful world of psychology and neuroscience along with my experience in the field of child development and play therapy. Please do remember though, the articles here give general guidance only, and do not constitute professional advice.
I believe parenting is one of the most amazing, rewarding and challenging journeys we can face and that parents deserve all the support and encouragement they can get.
So, if you find something in this blog that helps you, help your little ones, or makes surviving the crazy beautiful that little bit easier – then I’ve achieved my goal.
Where To Go Next?
Want to stay up to date? Join the ‘Surviving the Crazy Beautiful’ communities on Pinterest or Facebook for the latest tips and support.
Want to find out more how parents can use Play Therapy skills to support their children? Check out – 21 Play Therapy Techniques Parents Can Use.
Want to discover how guided visualization is so enjoyable for kids, but at the same time rewires the brain for incredible benefits? Read this – The Magic of Guided Meditation for Kids: Discover Its Benefits
Want to learn some fun breathing activities and discover why they so effectively help kids manage stress? You’ll find that here – How to Calm Stress: Best Breathing Strategies For Kids
