Skip to Content

Surviving the Crazy Beautiful

Making Sense of Your Child’s Emotional World

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • The Crazy Beautiful Emotional Toolkit
Child laughing while building with colorful Lego bricks illustrating why play is important for children

Why Play Matters Way More Than You Think

Understanding your child’s behavior: sad little girl sitting quietly by a garden fence

What Is Your Child’s Behavior Really Trying To Tell You?

Child looking out of a window appearing sad, showing how kids can't tell you how they're feeling as they struggle to express emotions with words

Why Kids Can’t Tell You What They’re Feeling — And How They Show You Instead

The Feelings Hotel - a creative emotional check-in for kids – a playful, printable emotions tool showing a hotel where children can ‘check in’ feelings using illustrated emotion suitcases.

How To Do The Feelings Hotel: A Creative Emotional Check-In for Kids

Mum and child playing with building blocks illustrating one of many play therapy techniques parents can use

21 Powerful Play Therapy Techniques Parents Can Use to Support Their Child

Smiling young girl gently blowing colorful confetti from her hands, symbolizing calm, joy, and the lightness of mindful breathing—a visual metaphor for stress relief and breathing strategies for kids.

7 Best Breathing Strategies For Kids: How to Calm Stress

The printable tools and worksheets included in the free Crazy Beautiful Emotional Toolkit to help parents better understand their child's emotional world
The Crazy Beautiful Emotional Toolkit
Colorful xylophone used as play therapy toys for children

How Different Types Of Play Support Your Child’s Emotional World

by Debbie McKelveyupdated on July 15, 2026September 9, 2025

Different types of play can help children process feelings in different ways. Discover how art, storytelling, doll’s houses, sand trays, puppets, messy play and more …

Finished mandala emotions activity for kids showing big feelings in bright colors

How To Do a Mandala Emotions Activity For Kids

by Debbie McKelveyupdated on May 2, 2026July 19, 2025

Looking for creative ways to explore emotions with children? This mandala emotions activity for kids supports emotional literacy in a fun and meaningful way. In …

Child sitting calmly in moonlight practicing mindfulness, body scan for kids

Body Scan for Kids: The Magic Moonbeam (Free Script)

by Debbie McKelveyupdated on July 27, 2026May 12, 2025

Ever wondered how to guide a body scan for kids? This gentle mindfulness practice has some very powerful benefits! Here you’ll learn how to guide …

The message - Live Your Life In Colors is written in colorful letters in chalk on a pavement - used to illustrate positive affirmations for kids

Affirmations for Kids: Can Simple Words Really Transform Their World?

by Debbie McKelveyupdated on May 2, 2026December 16, 2024

Are you wondering if positive affirmations for kids, really work? Well, it turns out neuroscience shows they’re more than just ‘nice’ words. Here we’ll discover …

Graphic of a young child on a skate board with a cardboard rocket strapped to his back pretending he is going on a space mission. Used to illustrate an article on a parent's guide to play therapy - answering parents questions

A Parent’s Guide to Play Therapy: Answering Important Questions

by Debbie McKelveyupdated on May 2, 2026December 3, 2024

Are you a parent with questions about play therapy? Perhaps you’re wondering is it effective? Could it help your child? And how does it really …

6 Insanely Powerful Ways Play Helps Kids Heal

by Debbie McKelveyupdated on May 2, 2026October 26, 2024

Have you ever wondered how the play during play therapy supports children? Learn the powerful ways play helps kids heal emotionally, build resilience, and transform …

Picture of young girl with imaginary butterfly wings used to illustrate the article on guided meditation for kids: benefits and techniques

The Magic of Guided Meditation for Kids: Discover Its Benefits

by Debbie McKelveyupdated on July 27, 2026October 11, 2024

Explore the incredible benefits of guided meditation for kids. Learn techniques to reduce stress, improve focus, and rewire the brain for a happier, calmer life. …

Graphic design of purple jellyfish used as an illustration for the The Graceful Jellyfish: A Guided Meditation for Peacefulness for kids

The Graceful Jellyfish: A Guided Meditation for Peacefulness (That Kids Love!)

by Debbie McKelveyupdated on May 2, 2026October 11, 2024

Looking for a guided meditation for peacefulness? Try The Graceful Jellyfish—a calming visualization that helps children relax, reduce stress, and find calm. Kids live in …

Two young brothers fighting over a piece of cake. Graphic used to illustrate sibling conflict and how the divide and choose method can be used to teach kids skills like cooperation, fairness, and problem-solving

How To Handle Sibling Conflict: This Sanity-Saving Hack is Ingenious

by Debbie McKelveyupdated on May 2, 2026September 21, 2024

Feeling exhausted by sibling conflict? Discover the ‘Divide and Choose’ method – a simple and fair solution that teaches kids cooperation, fairness, and problem-solving. ‘IT’S …

Illustration of Albert Einstein with a cosmic background – featured image for Einstein quotes for kids post.

Best Einstein Quotes For Kids: Inspiring Imagination, Creativity and Kindness

by Debbie McKelveyupdated on May 2, 2026August 2, 2024

Children will love this collection of Einstein quotes for kids. These simple yet powerful words spark imagination, build confidence, and inspire qualities like kindness and …

Posts pagination

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3

About Debbie

Welcome
Welcome

My name is Debbie and I'm the play therapist and writer behind 'Surviving the Crazy Beautiful.'

This space is here to help you make sense of your child's emotional world - especially when behavior feels confusing or overwhelming.

Here you'll find play therapy-inspired insights and gentle, practical ways to support children through big feelings and emotional development...

Because sometimes parenting really does feel like surviving the crazy beautiful!

About Debbie
Read more about the 'Surviving the Crazy Beautiful' story here...

Categories

  • Building Emotional Skills & Resilience
  • Supporting Emotional Regulation
  • Supporting Your Child Through Play
  • Understanding Your Child
  • Understanding Your Child's Behavior
  • Visuals
2024 Copyright Surviving the Crazy Beautiful. Surviving the Crazy Beautiful is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Blossom Beauty | Developed By Blossom Themes. Powered by WordPress.

Copyright and content share guidelines - Disclaimer - Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy