Catherine Mccarthy Consulting in Glenelg, South Australia | Medical and health

Catherine Mccarthy Consulting

Locality: Glenelg, South Australia

Add/Update information

Reviews

Tags

• Medical and health
• Education
• Mental health service

25.01.2022 Toddlers have been found to have a universal desire to help when observed both in clinical settings, and at home. They have been observed helping parents to do ...routine housework without prompting, and if toddlers' innate desire to help is nurtured, it seems that they will continue helping voluntarily throughout their childhood and into adulthood. Studies have also shown that toddlers don't just help to receive a reward. One study found that giving a reward for helping actually reduces subsequent helping. Children are intrinsically motivated rather than extrinsically motivated to helpthat is, they help because they want to be helpful, not because they expect to get something for it. (Rewards can change people’s attitudes about a previously enjoyed activity, from something that is done for its own sake, to something that is done primarily to get a reward). It can be tempting as parents to brush off a child's attempts at helping, either because it will take too long to get the job done, or because they won't do a good enough job. However, children can grow in very positive ways by helping. They can acquire valuable skills, and feelings of personal empowerment, belonging, and altruism. Children also help in part to reinforce their bond with their parents. Read the full article through Psychology Today: "Toddlers Want to Help and We Should Let Them" #toddlers #littlehelpers #altruism #bonding #intrinsicmotivation #rewards #childdevelopment #empowerment #belonging #familytime #psychology #occupationaltherapy #parenting #letthemhelp #perth #perthparents #mumsofperth #dadsofperth #mumsofinstagram #dadsofinstagram See more

14.01.2022 After saying ‘no’ to buying his daughter a new dress, a father told me that his daughter screamed I hate you at the top of her lungs. He was stunned. Angry. ...He admitted to wanting to scream back, I hate you too. I had to laugh at his honesty. Thankfully he had the presence of mind to override his emotion and opt for, Gosh kid! You are annoying me no end right now!" The best advice I can give parents of teens is this: your son or daughter may look like a mini adult, but they are not. There is a big difference between the two. During the teen years, they need us (as the big people in their lives) to support their executive thinking, help them access risks, think ahead, balance emotion with logic and be their steady rock. They need you now just as much (if not more) than they did when they were young. I have found that parents often expect to see a progression in behavior, when the teenage years can often bring a regression. This regression can be incredibly frustrating but is developmentally very normal. The good news is that they will mature, and they are very unlikely to be giving you the finger at 30! In the meantime, I want to champion you as you steady the ship, be the bigger, safer person and continue to build a connection with your child which will last a lifetime. These three practical tips might act as a circuit breaker in your home and be useful to navigate normal moods that can come with the teenage years. Yes, we have to address poor behaviour, and set boundaries to help them grow strong, but breaking the circuit of escalating emotion can help you do that. TIP NO 1: I NEED A HUG When things are getting tense between my own children and myself, I usually stop and say, I need a hug. It might sound weird, but it is my way of expressing what I need in that moment for us to remain connected. Even if they respond with an eye-roll, that small statement diffuses unnecessary tension and helps focus us on what matters. Surprisingly, I often DO get a hug maybe because they unknowingly want to connect too! When words aren’t working, actions are more likely to. TIP NO 2: TEXT INSTEAD OF TALK Maybe it’s time we used technology to our advantage. When you have a grumpy teenager on your hands, you may be able to get a better conversation out of them over text. I know one mum who deliberately says goodnight to her son over text. She tells me that conversations are more likely to emerge when he is behind a screen. And if an argument is getting out of hand, ask your teenagers to write down their point of view in a letter to you. The simple act of journaling, and slowing their thoughts down, can help they access more rational thinking. Say, "Can you write this in a letter to me, so I really can really understand how you feel.... Then we can come back and talk about it again." TIP NO 3: TRY THE UNPREDICTABLE Adult-size problems take up more of our time and attention than we may realise. Between work pressures, mortgages, and running a household it is easy to lose our happy parent vibe. If you can feel yourself becoming overly predictable, try a little random magic. You might want to pop a little creativity into the schedule, because teenage brains love creativity, adventure and novelty. Try things like breakfast night or no-bed-making-Monday. Why not put a note in their room that says: I hid $100 in your room. Clean it and you will find it.

10.01.2022 The Urgent Mental Health Care Centre here in SA is now open to the wider community. If you, a friend or a loved one finds themselves struggling and in need of a... place to go for a few hours, or until the crisis point has passed, this drop-in centre accepts all with no need of a referral. Sometimes a hospital is not the place you need to be, this is where you would go instead. If you are over 16 years of age, this amazing facility offers both a Peer Support team and a Clinical team to support you when you need it most. Urgent Mental Health Care Centre 215 Grenfell St, Adelaide Opening hours: midday-10.30pm every day Family and Pet friendly.

04.01.2022 Do you need some new ideas to reduce meltdowns? Then give these activities a try!! "Exercise has been proven to reduce cortisol and adrenaline levels. This les...sens anxiety and results in increased dopamine and other endorphins. These are the brain’s natural mood lifters. Less cortisol and more dopamine mean self-regulation is much easier!" #selfregulation #reducemeltdowns #goodforadultstoo See more