About Parenting Archives - Swing High : Counselling for Children

Child Centered Play Therapy

(evidence-based approach) CCPT RESEARCH: ‘Play Therapy is the most developmentally appropriate way to approach children in a counselling relationship, and it is in this safe, nurturing environment that children play out what they have experienced, their reactions and feelings about those experiences, what they need in their lives, and how they feel about themselves. Thus,…

The start When you feel as though your child might need some extra help, it's the beginning of a journey that you may not finish. You may end up not taking your child to a therapist. Why? Because it can be scary for some parents. The 'what ifs' The 'what ifs' come first. What if…

A strategy to help prep children who are anxious

Telling stories to calm big emotions 'Stories empower us to move forward and master the moments when we feel out of control. When we give them words our frightening and painful experiences-when we literally come to terms with them-they often become much less frightening and painful. When we help our children name their pain and their fears, we help…

‘Bobbi from mother to therapist’

I had a dream I was 50 years of age before I had the courage to do my Psychology Degree. I knew I wanted to be a therapist from the very beginning if I'm honest. Why did it take so long to enrol in university? What held me back? My excuses I said that I…

After school activities for preps

Here are some thoughts.... How do children deal with the new routine of prep? I wonder what it would be like for a five year old on his first days at prep? Would he feel happy, sad, afraid, excited or angry? If so how would he express his feelings? If he was at kindergarten, childcare…

Children are not small adults

Children grow at their own pace I was a teacher before I was a parent. As a teacher I knew that 8 year olds learnt certain skills. When I had my own children this knowledge was further expanded. I needed to respond to each of my children in different ways. Not only were they different…

Building confidence in your child through play

Play is vital for children Of course we all know that children play. Children's play is one of the most important developmental inputs they will ever have. Hard to believe? When I ask my five year old granddaughter what she would like to do, she always says "Play". She doesn't know that she is developing…

How to grow respect between you and your child

You matter as much as your child When I had my children all those years ago I thought parenting should come naturally. You guessed...it didn't and it doesn't. Parenting is a special job for all of us. If you have more than one child you will already know that each child is different and each…

You can have a great relationship with your child

I am now a mother and a grandmother. When I had three little children sometimes I would become angry at them for no apparent reason. I became worried about this because I wanted to have a loving relationship with them. It seemed that this emotion came from no where and I couldn't understand it. If…

It’s the feelings we share, not the roles we play

Are there times when you feel the responsibilities you've assumed are backing you into a corner? Does this prevent you from being able to express your own heartfelt feelings? I remember it well. At times I played the 'mother' role so intensely that I forgot to nourish my own needs. I was making sure everything…

Category Archives: About Parenting

Child Centered Play Therapy

Does your child need therapy?

A strategy to help prep children who are anxious