Divorce is a process NOT an event – my technique to make the transition easier for your children.
Despite divorce being on the increase around the world, parents often feel at a loss when searching for practical support. They also feel overwhelmed, confused, afraid, resentful, or completely frozen in panic about how to handle the changes in their family’s way of life. Sometimes this fear manifests itself as animosity, which turns the whole […]
The 7 Emotional Stages You’ll Go Through During and After Divorce.
I always remind my clients that going through a Divorce is a process NOT an event and I firmly believe that it is similar to the grieving process described by the eminent American Psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in her 1969 book, On Death and Dying, that was inspired by her work with terminally ill patients. […]
Kids and Divorce : An Age By Age Guide To Help Parents
I have been working with two families going through the process of divorcing and what has struck me is how the news that Mummy & Daddy are separating can vary depending on the age of the children. How the news hits a 3 year old is very different to how an 11 year […]
Good Mums often have sticky floors, filthy ovens and happy kids!
Happy Mother’s Day! Real Mothers don’t eat quiche; They don’t have time to make it. Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils Are probably in the sandbox. Real Mothers often have sticky floors, Filthy ovens and happy kids. Real Mothers know that dried play dough Doesn’t come out of carpets. Real Mothers don’t want […]
Cooking up a happy step family is like a slow burning casserole !
Stepfamilies have a bad image. Think of Snow White’s jealous stepmother or Cinderella’s ugly sisters or at the other end of the spectrum, picture the unrealistically positive stepfamily, such as the Brady Bunch. But real life is more complicated that either of those stepfamily models and stepchildren have to come to terms with lots of […]
One Starfish at a Time: Why Small Actions Matter in Parenting.
Here is one of my very favourite stories from my never ending notebook and everlasting coloured pencil. The Starfish Story One day, as I was walking along a beautiful stretch of beach, the waves gently lapping at the shore, I noticed a young boy in the distance. He was bending down, picking something […]
Text, Tweet, Protect: Confronting Cyberbullying Head-On
Cyberbullying in 2025 In today’s digital age, technology connects young people like never before. According to a 2024 Pew Research study, 95% of teens have access to a smartphone, and nearly half say they are online “almost constantly.” With instant messaging, social media, gaming chats, and mobile apps, young people are always connected — […]
The Sue Atkins Wednesday Story: Failing Forward
Here’s your Wednesday story from my never ending notebook and everlasting coloured pencil. Failing Forward “You can never learn less, you can only learn more. The reason I know so much is because I have made so many mistakes” ~ Buckminster Fuller – Mathematician and Philosopher who never graduated from University but received 46 honorary […]
The Sue Atkins Wednesday Story – Ginger Biscuits
The stranger and the ginger nut biscuits story……… from my never ending notebook and my everlasting pencil. Today’s story made me laugh when I first came across it and is an urban legend dating back at least 30 years. At the airport after a tiring business trip a lady’s return flight was delayed. […]
Should You Worry About Your Child’s Imaginary Friend? No! Enjoy The Magic.
I was on BBC Radio Surrey and Sussex discussing children who have imaginary friends as Heathrow is set to become first ‘imaginary friend friendly’ airport. Imaginary friends are a natural part of healthy child development. Children use their fantasy friends to practice verbal skills, boost their confidence and for role play. Kids with imaginary […]
The Sue Atkins Wednesday Story
Here’s a story from my never ending notebook and everlasting coloured pencil The Lost Horse A horse with no identifying marks wandered into a farmyard. The farmer’s young son said he’d take the responsibility for returning the horse to its owner. The boy mounted the horse, urged it towards the road and let it […]
Topic of The Month. Talking to your teenager about drugs.
“So what do we do? Anything – something. So long as we don’t just sit there. If we screw it up, start over. Try something else. If we wait until we’ve satisfied all the uncertainties, it may be too late.” ~ Lee Iacocca Former Chairman of Chrysler Corporation Communication is essential at any stage of […]
Topic of The Month – Teenage Mood Swings …are they normal?
Perhaps you’ve heard from ‘You don’t understand me?’ to ‘Why can’t you just stop going on at me and leave me alone!’ all before and are wondering if it’s normal. Well, to reassure you …. it is but your teenager’s mood swings can affect the whole family and they can be a source of huge […]
How Do You Spend The Time You Have In Jelly Beans?
In keeping with my work/life balance Power Hour Talks that I give to organisations here is a truly lovely short video to help you master your time…. It’s a busy, stressful and overwhelming world at times so take a couple minutes to get your life back into perspective. Stop, breathe deeply and slowly […]
Manic Mums and Dazed Dads – Are you stuck in the spin cycle of life? Exhausted, wrung out and dizzy?
Are you stuck in the spin cycle of life………….. exhausted, wrung out and dizzy? Do you find yourself falling into bed worn out, frustrated and complaining “Where did the time GO?” Then welcome to the Club! You are not alone as I coach lots of Mums and Dads from toddler to teens crying […]