Self-Compassion to Heal from Complex Trauma

There is now a growing body of research in the area of CPTSD and more now that is outside of what is traditionally white or North American focused. (Yay!) This is good news, because so many people suffer from complex trauma, the symptoms of which include: anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, and challenges with relationships. AContinue reading “Self-Compassion to Heal from Complex Trauma”

Trauma-Informed Goals

Great ideas are just things that have already happened… in the future. You’ve already done it. It was/will be fantastic. You know it. It’s coming. We are now, in the present, just figuring out the ‘how’ and ‘enjoying’ the journey there. The uncertainty can either trigger us into a place of fear or motivate usContinue reading “Trauma-Informed Goals”

Breathing Through Smog

I’ve been feeling out of sorts.  Ten years ago – a whole decade ago – I packed up my then eight-year-old son and a few suitcases and we shipped ourselves off to Wuhan, China. I wasn’t only the only single mother there – I was the only high school teacher parenting a child while livingContinue reading “Breathing Through Smog”

Responsive Parenting

Repeating yourself to a young child is rarely going to help them do as you say. Let’s imagine you’ve asked your toddler to stop hitting her brother and she doesn’t… you demand one more time with increased volume and annoyance in your tone, “I said stop hitting!”  This child of yours—who was showing with theContinue reading “Responsive Parenting”

Repairing Ruptures in Parent-Child Relationships

By Melissa Xuereb, Parent Coach at Parenting Takes Courage At the invitation of Sherry Yuan Hunter here at Sandwich Parenting, I will be writing a semi-regular blog about Empowered Parenting. This morning as the rain poured, Charlie, Olivia and I were leaving the house. Our car undercover was mostly surrounded by (attractive) puddles. The kidsContinue reading “Repairing Ruptures in Parent-Child Relationships”

Managing Triggers

One of the most frustrating things in the world is that explosion of rage when our kids (or partners, or friends, or colleagues) exhibit ‘undesirable’ behaviour. We THINK it’s because they are ‘behaving badly’ and that means that we need to work harder to CONTROL the situation. Then comes the shame and, for some, theContinue reading “Managing Triggers”