Hello and welcome to Surviving the Crazy Beautiful!
I’m Debbie and I believe in the power of play. I love helping parents understand what’s really going on underneath their child’s behavior, and showing them how to support big feelings through therapeutic play they can use at home.
Because parenting is so incredible… and also so incredibly hard.
So… does any of this sound familiar?
You love your kids so much you would die for them –
… but yet some days they drive you absolutely up the wall!
Some mornings start out idyllic – like Little House on the Prairie –
… but by bedtime everything has unravelled into chaos!
Your kids bring you a whole lot of crazy–
…and while much of it is entertaining, funny crazy, some of it is highly irritating, or downright worrying, lose sleep over crazy.
Sometimes it looks like this…
- Tantrums and tears
- Panic and anxiety
- Low moods
- Arguments and explosive behavior
- Mystery tummy aches before school
- Slamming doors and shouting matches
- School refusal
- Friendship struggles
- Low self-esteem and critical thoughts
Who would have thought one experience – parenting – could bring so much joy, love, worry and frustration all wrapped up in one?
This is the paradox I call “the crazy beautiful” – and surviving it really is a fine art.
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering,
“What’s really going on with my child?”
—you’re in the right place.
You are not failing.
You are not alone.
And there are ways to understand what your child is trying to show you.
Why I Believe In The Power of Play
I’ve spent my life working with children in different roles. As a mum, youth leader and classroom assistant, I’ve experienced many of the joys children bring.
Unfortunately, I’ve also experienced the full spectrum of problems!
I hated to see children struggle, especially when I didn’t have the tools to properly support them – and that’s what inspired me to take action…
So, my love of children met my love of psychology, and I trained as a Play Therapist.
And what I discovered was powerful…
Children don’t just “misbehave”. They communicate – through behavior, play, emotions, and connection.
Play therapy helps children:
- Make sense of their experiences
- Express difficult feelings safely
- Work through fears and worries
- Move from anxiety toward confidence and emotional safety
But this isn’t just a set of techniques.
It’s a way of seeing and understanding your child more deeply.
And here’s what I discovered that truly changed everything for me…
The Part That Matters Most
During training I discovered that-
Parents Are In The Most Powerful Position To Help Their Children
As a parent, you are the most important relationship in your child’s world.
When you understand what’s happening beneath the behaviour, you respond differently.
And that response changes everything.
That’s the heart behind Surviving the Crazy Beautiful.
This space is for parents, teachers, and therapists who don’t just want quick fixes—
but real understanding.
What You’ll Find Here: The Heart of Surviving The Crazy Beautiful
This space exists to help you:
- Understand what behavior is really telling you
- See your child’s emotional world more clearly
- Respond with connection, not just correction
- Use simple therapeutic play at home with confidence
Everything I share is grounded in psychology, neuroscience, child development research, and real-life experience working with children and families.
(This content is educational and supportive – it’s not a replacement for individual professional advice.)
Why I Do This
Because parenting is one of the most meaningful—and most challenging—journeys there is.
And parents deserve all the support, encouragement, and practical tools they can get.
So, if something here helps you:
– understand your child a little more
– feel a little less alone
– help your little ones
– or makes the crazy beautiful journey even slightly easier…
Then I’ve done what I set out to do.
If you’ve ever wondered what’s really going on beneath your child’s behaviour, I’ve created a free guide to help you make sense of their emotional world—and feel more confident in how you support them…
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
