I always considered myself a ‘green’ person. I actually do hug trees when the opportunity arises… However, I had never really thought very hard about the impact of death on the environment, I mean why would anyone think about that? The problem with ashes is well known, at least if you ask the rigth people… Learning Curve My knowledge in … Read More
Powerful Words
I’ve been talking to my daughter this week about powerful words and the importance of language. It’s a topic I like to wax lyrical about, and often covered while teaching. Not just the words we say out loud, although they are undoubtably powerful, but also the words we keep inside. One word I have been using more over the last … Read More
Helping Children after the Death of the Queen.
So, I thought it might be helpful to consider some likely questions or conversations and take a moment to think about responses. Helping children to understand and manage their emotions, can also help us as adults to think deeply too. As always, keep discussions age appropriate and use language they already know. There are other useful resources on the site, … Read More
Getting Dressed
It sounds so simple, but getting dressed can be the hardest task in the world some mornings. It’s impossible on Stormy Days, but on a Cloudy Day, this is how I get it done. First… I became aware I was not taking care of myself properly, when I noticed the same behaviour in my children. It was an unpleasant realisation, … Read More
Sustainable Flowers
Over on Twitter, as part of #EthicalHour (Monday’s at 8pm), I was talking about sustainable flowers. The discussion is always engaging and I always learn something. It’s also been an opportunity to raise topics around bereavement and funerals especially, that people rarely think about. Problems… So many flowers we buy are imported from far and wide, the carbon footprint of … Read More
The Rebel Badge Club
I’m the first to admit, I’ve not been taking great care of myself. The Rebel Badge Club has been a refreshing way to focus on me, in short spurts. I found the Rebel Badge Club quite by accident. A friend online made a passing comment to it when I talked about being motivated by stickers. I’ve come to a place … Read More
Storm Predictions
Stormy Days are the toughest. They take energy and all good things and turn them around. Stormy Days will be the darkest days, and anything we can do ahead of them, to make them leave more quickly or take less from us, the better. If Stormy Days go on without any improvement, no matter how small or fleeting, you may … Read More
International Women’s Day 2022
My mental load is heavy right now… I’ve been thinking about what I’d like to share today. I’m quite likely to go off-road… Yay Women! While I applaud all the posts on amazing women and their excellent contributions to so many essential walks of life. I’d prefer to talk about ‘ordinary’ women. Also, I sometimes feel crippled by the inaction … Read More
Talking to Children about War
Talking to children and young people about the war in Ukraine isn’t something simple. It certainly isn’t something I was expecting to be writing about. Funnily enough, I have a War Studies degree and an MA in History, my dissertation on conflict resolution and military law… So, my kids have seen Newsround at school and heard various things in the … Read More
Cloudy Caring
I had a cloudy day this week, it was out of the blue and I knew pretty quickly that I was in a cloudy mood. These can be tricky as they are not bad enough that we can stay in bed and call on our emergency resources. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t recognise them and do what we can … Read More