John Bowlby’s Attachment Theory Attachment Theory is a well-known and widely accepted concept in human development and psychotherapy. British psychiatrist John Bowlby developed it in the 1950s. The crux of attachment theory is that the early emotional bonds between...
John Bowlby’s Attachment Theory
The Helpful Ideas of Donald Winnicott
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The Importance of Melanie Klein
The Importance of Melanie Klein Melanie Klein was a groundbreaking and highly creative psychoanalyst. She was born in 1882 in Vienna but spent most of her life in UK, dying in London in 1960. Her life was fascinating, with many losses and tragedies but...
Carl Jung – Is He Relevant Today?
Carl Jung – Is He Relevant Today? Carl Gustav Jung was born into a religious family in Switzerland and studied to be a doctor. During these studies he became fascinated with current philosophy, anthropology and psychological theories and work in...
How Freud Is Still Relevant Today
How Freud Is Still Relevant Today Prompted by last month’s blog on Narcissism, this is the first in a series on some of the founding members in psychoanalysis and some of their ideas, many of which, I believe, are still useful for us today. Widely...
Narcissism
Narcissism The term 'narcissism' is banded around a lot. But what does being a narcissist actually mean? And how do we work out if we are in a relationship with one, or even if we might be one ourselves? Origins of Narcissism The term narcissism comes from...
The Art of Self-soothing 4: Using Our Senses
Using Our Senses This final post in my series is about using our bodily senses to self-soothe. There are lots of ways that we can self-sooth by looking. Sight Natural Vistas As I’ve already mentioned in a previous post, nature and landscapes are very calming. For...
The Art of Self-soothing 3: Creativity
Creativity is a sure way to self-soothe. People have lost themselves in creative pursuits since time began. Getting in touch with our creativity is a way of reaching something within ourselves. By allowing this to develop we can usually make something bigger than...
The Art of Self-Soothing 2: Nature
This month’s way to self soothe is by being in nature. It’s long been known and proven that being outside and preferably in nature can improve our mental health. Take a Short Walk The simplest ways are often the most effective. Such as going for a short walk from your...
The Art of Self Soothing
There is so much going on in the world now. It’s hard watching the news, in fact I am more likely to just quickly check a news ap than I am to watch the news in real time. Many people I speak to are unable to watch the news at all because they struggle to think of the...
Are you dreading the summer holidays? Or excited for them to start? Or maybe you have mixed feelings about them.
Here are some ideas to make the most of the break
- Don’t over plan. Firstly, children need downtime as much as adults, especially at the beginning and end of the summer holidays. There is nothing wrong with letting them collapse in front of a DVD or leaving them to amuse themselves to reduce stress levels.
- Help them use their imaginations with you nearby but not necessarily joining in. For example, let them use bedlinen to make tents, or combine watering the garden with water play such as running through the spray of a sprinkler or hose. Children need to build their ability to play safely on their own with the company of adults in the background. Consequently, this increases their confidence by making them feel safe as they move towards independence.
- Aim to leave the house every day: the beach, park, a bike or scooter ride or walk or just a visit to the shops. A change is as good as a rest and even a short injection of vitamin D and endorphins is healthy (and will help to tire them out too!) Whereas in wet weather make the most of the local library, museum, child friendly cafe, swimming pool, ball-park, pottery cafe or cinema.
- Stock up on some arty crafty bits and pieces (Wilkinsons do an extensive cheap range) and keep old birthday cards, envelopes and scrap paper and card for easy, impromptu making sessions. Also check out Scrapstore where you can buy cheap off-cut materials. Because you can use lots of household recyclables for craft activities, why not keep a seperate ‘junk modelling’ bag or box in preparation for the holidays?
- Use your supermarket vouchers cleverly (or hunt around on the internet for vouchers) for some special days out to theme parks and wildlife centres. Additionally, some vouchers can be swapped for a higher value meaning you get more for your money.
- Ask around locally for summer activities and book your children onto anything that looks like fun. Also check whether their school/ nursery have any extra clubs running or recommendations. Especially when it is likely that their friends may be there too!
- Arrange play dates with parents of your children’s friends. Why not take it in turns to host so that you can get some chores done or have some quality child-free time.
- Contact your family early and organise visits to and from grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and family friends. As well as a change of scene, you may find they enjoy the time together too.
- Above all, be easy on yourself and cut yourself some slack over the holidays. After the year we have all had you deserve to rest up too. Term time is relentless. Furthermore, the holidays give you the chance to relax on your daily routines and habits and go with the flow.
10. Finally, keep your sense of humour! As the saying goes: Those who laugh together stay together.
ideas for days out/activities
Visit England – places to visit and things to do
National Trust – days out and events
English Heritage – days out, things to do and events
Days Out – days out and things to do