From starting school to starting university – being a parent is all about handling CHANGE.

Handling change is one of life’s greatest challenges and is a major element in my work with parents. My passion is to help parents handle change positively and with clarity, direction and confidence. Change is inevitable and although it’s perfectly natural to resist the changes in your life and feel overwhelmed and anxious about them, […]
Why The Simple Act Of Eating Together Is Important

I am a real advocate of families sitting down and eating together as it creates a bond, a connection and makes life fun. Kids can chat about their day, their worries or just spend time with you, and you can share your life with them in a easy and natural way simply through sitting down […]
The Sue Atkins Sunday Saying – a cup of positivi-tea
Let a series of happy thoughts run through your mind. They will show on your face. ~ Norman Vincent Peale 1898-1993, Author of The Power of Positive Thinking
It’s a fine balance between spying, controlling, teaching and trusting our kids online.

I remember being rung up on a Bank Holiday Monday by a Polish journalist last year, asking me my opinion on some new tracking device that tracks children through their mobile phone as well as talking on The Jeremy Vine Show on Channel 5 about the pros and cons. I told her I didn’t […]
Are childhood sweethearts a thing of the past?

Life long teenage sweethearts are an endangered species according to findings which turns the spotlight on the differences between the generations apparently. “Childhood Sweetheart” conjures up something magical doesn’t it as if the relationship is defying the usual scientific laws? Think Jamie and Jools Oliver, Wayne and Colleen Rooney, Jessica Ennis and Andy Hill (long-term […]
Step Dad Advice – Bringing together two separate families is a process, not an event. It takes time and flexibility on everyone’s behalf to settle into new family relationships.

I’m delighted to have been invited to write some articles for Dad Info – a wonderful website for Dads and Step Dads. Today here is my article on what the Americans call ‘Blended Families’ but what I like to call ‘Slow Burning Casserole Families’ 🙂 ‘Bringing together two separate families is a process, not an […]
The Dummy Tree, The Tooth Fairy & other quirky family traditions around the world !

I’m always encouraging my parents to create their own family traditions from bike rides to bowling, from having a film night in with popcorn to having a Sunday Lunch together as it builds memories that last a lifetime. I also love exploring and I came upon this really interesting article about parenting traditions from different cultures around the world […]
Giving your toddler’s dummy the heave – ho !

Dummies, bottles, teddy bears, soothers and cuddly toys, just like an old blanket, are really all about feeling a bit unsure in a busy world. My first piece of advice is to relax as children are so sensitive and are good at picking up your vibes. If you are relaxed then your child feels […]
Back to School Tips – Tip 2 ~ Simple Strategies To Get Out The Door Faster, Less Frazzled And Smiling First Thing In The Morning

Simple Strategies To Get Out The Door Faster, Less Frazzled And Smiling First Thing In The Morning Children thrive when they know what to expect and what they have to do. Implementing a morning routine will make them feel secure and prepared for the day ahead. Even more importantly, it will make your life a […]
Back to School Tips – Tip 1 ~ Simple Strategies To Get Out The Door Faster, Less Frazzled And Smiling First Thing In The Morning

Simple Strategies To Get Out The Door Faster, Less Frazzled And Smiling First Thing In The Morning Children thrive when they know what to expect and what they have to do. Implementing a morning routine will make them feel secure and prepared for the day ahead. Even more importantly, it will make your life a […]
Handling Disappointing Exam Results Positively

The envelope gently lands on the doormat with more of a flutter than a heavy thud, but the contents have the potential to help your child’s dreams come true… or shatter them into a million tiny pieces …… for now. But it’s about mindset, getting back up, and looking for the positive ways forward if […]
In need of some quick tips? Here’s my Traffic Lights, Pause Button and Scales Techniques

The Traffic Lights, the Pause Button and the Scales Techniques We all get some physical signs when we are getting wound up or stressed, so it’s helpful to teach your kids to recognise their own signs. I use the traffic lights analogy as a simple but effective […]
Is your child a hopeless screen-ager?

Children today are growing up with computers, Gameboys, Play Stations, X-boxes and Wii’s. They are the generation of screenagers. But what does this mean to your child’s development? Well, it means that your child will: be strongly visual and think in pictures be literal as opposed to abstract in their thinking have a shorter […]
‘There’s Nothing to Do!’

It’s the Summer hols and unless you are happy to dust off and dry clean your Butlin’s Red Coat ready to entertain the kids full time here are some simple ideas from Huffington Post Parents blog 🙂 Now that it’s summer, my 9-year-old son is constantly complaining that he’s bored. He will start camp soon, […]
Things to do, places to see to keep SANE in the Summer Holidays !

How can I make the Summer holidays fun, relaxed, interesting and happy – building childhood memories that last a lifetime? Where can we go that’s interesting? What can I teach the kids that’s inspiring – how to cook, how to bake, how to paint, how to garden, how to build? How can I get the balance […]