Karen Claridge Coaching in Attadale, Western Australia, Australia | Career counsellor

Karen Claridge Coaching

Locality: Attadale, Western Australia, Australia

Phone: +61 424 589 954

Address: 550 Canning Highway 6153 Attadale, WA, Australia

Website: http://www.karenclaridge.com

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• Career counsellor
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• Motivational speaker

25.01.2022 We have this crazy notion we need to aim for 'perfect parenting'! In this video I briefly talk about why it is so pointless and takes away focus on the moments which we really count! ( sorry end but was cut off but I think I got the important bits in!)

25.01.2022 It is so easy to fall into the trap of waiting for something external to happen before we feel 'happy', especially during this roller-coaster of a ride in such crazy times. The 'I'll be happy when....things go back to normal; get the right job; the right partner; my teens tidy their bedroom; things go well at work etc the list goes on and on. And in the meantime, we're left ...well..just waiting! Of course these things are great when they happen, but they are really the icin...g on the cake and not the cake itself! (although who am I to use the metaphor of baking, I am terrible at making cakes, but I'm sure you get what I mean. When things go well they absolutely should be celebrated, but when we rely on these things too heavily as our main source of happiness, it can lead to so much frustration and disappointment when our expectations don't get met! How do I know, because it's so easy for me to fall into this way of thinking too! All we can do is be aware of it and when we find ourselves in that place, switch our focus to how we can create more happiness with our own thoughts and beliefs and live our lives with our internal sense of 'values'. I've always remembered what one of my great mentors taught me 'Happiness comes from you, not to you'!

24.01.2022 The current circumstances can wear away the ‘sparkle’ in the most resilient of us! and even more so in our teens! I saw in last year in the eyes of the students I coached and it was heart-breaking to witness. But, here’s what I absolutely know for sure, we as parents can help reignite it if we are seeing it diminish in some simple yet powerful ways One of the most important things you can to is to encourage them to focus on their unique strengths and talents every sing...le day! They may not yet be clear on what they are, but you will know, even though it’s not always obvious. You have to watch closely at what ‘lights them up’. You’ve seen that spark in their eyes, especially when they were younger and not so hidden with the inevitable onset of the ‘Teendom’ years! It could be how they can put together a piece of equipment quickly as they did with lego. Or do they possess that ‘creativity’ I talked about in my post yesterday (and that trait can take many, many forms) from creative cooking to coming up with some innovative ‘outside the box’ ideas! Sometimes you have to dig a bit deeper to find the ‘gold’, but it’s there I promise! Ask them interesting questions like ‘if you were to become a major world leader, what would change and why? Obviously the timing has to be right when asking these type of questions -definitely not when they are tired, grumpy hungry or really hungry Finding out what they ‘Love’ and ‘Loath’ can be veeeery interesting and a bit of fun! You may be surprised at what they say but pleeeese not judgement-your role is to listen! Their ‘shine’ comes off very easily when there is pressure and high stress so again without going over old ground now it not the time to add to it! Our job is to support, love, guide and feed them, that’s it! Always keep in mind the mental well-being of your teen comes before anything else! And lastly remember, our teen want to ‘shine’ at something, so helping them discover the start of their passions and interests and uncovering their unique attributes which makes them such an individual, is one of the greatest things we can do for our teens. See more

24.01.2022 Finding ways to stay connected with our teens is always important, but of course its particularly so during this pandemic! Their world has been turned upside down and they need us now more than ever ( even if they wouldnt want to admit it!!) So here are some of my top tips to help you stay connected with your teen:- 1/ Listen more, Talk less. If we want to be there for them, we have to create a safe space for that to happen. So when they do come to us or we sense they wo...uld like a chat, when they start talking just listen and try not to be tempted to interrupt or give advice unless they ask for it. They will come to us more if we give less advice! 2/ Ive always remembered good old Doctor Phils saying make sure your home is a soft place to fall for them! And they will fall and fail and stuff up like we did as teens (and plenty of times since!!They need to know its ok to make mistakes and trust they can come home and have a chat about it with someone -when theyre ready to talk of course! 3/ Differentiate between their behaviour and their identity For example avoid saying things like You are so lazy/stupid/entitled etc because it goes to the core of who they are and it isnt who they are but what they did which needs to be addressed! For example instead of saying Youre so stupid say Next time how could you do that better or What did you learn from that for next time? 4/ Find some common ground so you can do things together! It could be watching a movie you both love; gardening /cooking/walking/ exercising/ making something together. I love watching a comedian on TV and having a good laugh together! 5/ Watch your language! No not what you think Im talking about certain words that can either help or hinder your communication! Swap But with And because if you use the word but, it negatives everything you have said before.Using the word And helps to connects sentences. An example would be If love you ... but.. or I love you .. and.. Hope these tips help, please share with us if you have some other tips we could use! See more

24.01.2022 This is a mantra I share with the students I coach and here's why! Many of them talk to me about the subjects they are good at but don't enjoy and yet there is a often an assumption by schools that if they are good at say Maths, they will go on to be Accountants or Engineers! It's the same with adults. I know in my case there are many directions my business 'can' take and sometimes yes it's tempting and I have gone down a few rabbit holes in my time (lesson learnt), but it's... not my criteria! Where we put our energies and attention has to been waaay more than 'because I can'. Yes, we may be capable, but it's not enough, we need to want to with our hearts and what 'sparks' something in us! And of course it's the same for the young people I coach. When they begin to figure out what energises them and 'lights-up' them up, that's a different ball-game all together! See more

23.01.2022 Today of my 5-week challenge is about about 'self-belief'. 'Self-belief' is a step by step process of love and accepting ourselves for who we are. Throughout our life, we unconsciously store beliefs, some are really powerful and get us through the most difficult of times, and some hold us back from being the person we want to be. By following this process today, you'll start to feel differently about yourself. It's a skill like anything we want to master, it takes plenty of practice. So make a conscious decision to start believing in yourself today. If we can do it, image if your teen could feel the same way!

22.01.2022 So this is something that's coming up quite a bit in my coaching sessions with parents and teens! This idea that we should expect to be happy at all times and if we're not, something is wrong! We know it's not real life, yet we seem to have these expectations and we're passing this way of thinking onto our younger generation. This is what I share with them: Instead of expecting life to run smoothly, it simply doesn't and that's okay! It's okay to have 'off-days' and it okay t...hat something we feel 'sad', 'overwhelmed' 'frustrated' 'disappointed' etc because that is what being 'human' is all about! So instead of 'expecting happiness', let's focus instead of building our own 'self-worth' and helping our teens to do the same. Help them develop the attribute of 'resiliency' so they don't go to pieces when things don't go their way! Love to know your thoughts on this topic! Please share in in the comments. Thank you See more

22.01.2022 It's so easy for us to resist the feeling of being overwhelmed isn't it? We says things like 'I'm fine' and 'it's nothing I can't handle' etc. It's like we don't want to admit we're not coping all that well! So, I have 5 insights/tips to share with you which will help you feel better quickly! 1/ The very first step to feeling better is to be honest with ourselves! It's ok to feel this way, especially when we are living it these crazy times of the pandemic! 2/When we feel 'ov...erwhelmed', it's often because we're worrying about all things we need to do in the future! So instead, focus on what you can do in the 'here and now' and ask for help if you have too much on your plate. Delegation is the key, pleases don't fall into the I'll do it all' way of thinking! (Remember, there are no gold medals for martyrs! ). 3/STOP whatever you are doing and take yourself off to a place where you can just 'breeeeethe' for 5 mins. Begin with closing your eyes and follow this simple breathing exercise.Take a slow,deep breath and count to 3, hold for 3 secs and breathe out slowly for the count of 3. Do that at least 3 times open your eyes and you'll begin to notice your energy naturally re-balancing and your focus is back on the present! 4/Let go of the 'if only things were different' approach! Wishing things were back to normal for example depletes us of our power and energy. 'Acceptance of what is' helps us stay connected to the here and now. 5/.'Slow down, you move to fast'. Okay I've borrowed it from Simon and Garfunkel, but you know what I mean! We can be in such a rush to get through our 'to-do' list we end up on 'survival mode'. Slow your movements down, stroll rather than rush, focus on the task in hand, not what you will be doing after that. *Try them out, they work for me, I know they'll help you too!

21.01.2022 So today is my birthday and usually you would see me celebrating with a glass of champers in hand! But last night it all changed when I had to take my beautiful dog Toby to emergency for an urgent operation! After being up most of the night waiting for the results(which was thankfully good news) I woke up well... to put it bluntly feeling like rubbish with a face to match!! With most of my birthday plans gone out the window, it didnt matter because I was just so thankful Toby was ok! When things like this happen it really puts the important things into perspective doesnt it! counting my blessings today!

21.01.2022 I know we seem to be deluged with posts about the importance of self-care during this crisis, but I wonder how many of us busy parents actually do it! When we get overloaded, its only too easy to put our self-care at the bottom of our To-Do list So this weekend lets make our self-care a priority. I really do believe it makes us better parents when we do things which counteract our stress levels and it sends an important message to our kids that self-care is really important for our mental well-being! I would love you to tell us what you do for self-care. Ill be factoring in walks along the river, catching up with good friends and making time for my morning yoga Great to get some more ideas and tip for all of us, so please share! Have a lovely self-care weekend

21.01.2022 Day 3 or your 5-day challenge to a 'Happier You' is to show you how damn easy it is to switch your 'happy hormones' on! I've made some suggestions of what you can do to switch them on in an instant! The one that gives me an instant 'state-change' is dancing to my favourite track! I have my headphone on and dance in my office usually (funny, my son came in once while I was doing precisely this, rolled his eyes and smiled and just gently closed the door again!!) Another one ...is eating a piece of high-quality dark chocolate..you see, how much easier can it get!!!!! Hugging your Teen and telling them you love them may sound a bit OTT, but do it anyway..again there may be a lot of eye-rolling and 'do you have to' but I think they will sneakily like it, but of course they may not tell you that! Remember to let me know how you are going and what you're feeling! My favourite comedian btw is Micheal McIntyre and Peter Kay, two Brits who make me howl!!! How about you, any suggestions? Come on, share the love around! See more

20.01.2022 I knew it felt good to be with your loved ones, but little did I realize it actually boosted our levels of Oxytocin! (I love finding out things like this, don't you?) So if you want to boost your 'happy hormones' this weekend, make it your mission to get all LOVED-UP! Enjoy!

20.01.2022 This photo was taken at the time I was thinking about how incredibly lucky I am to be doing what I'm passionate about, especially during these crazy times! To be able to coach adults and young people to discover their passions and talents and help them find ways to live their best life is absolutely priceless! Feeling very grateful today!

20.01.2022 I absolutely love collaborations and this is the great thing about the global Instagram community! Im very excited to be the guest speaker of Phinnah from #parentingteenssolutions this coming SATURDAY at 5pm AWST and 10am in the UK! We both have a passion for helping parents and teens and will be discussing Some of the most effective ways of raising well-rounded, emotionally savvy teens in these uncertain times! If you have any questions you would like to ask us jot them down and put it in your diary as I know how busy weekends can be! Looking forward to seeing you then!

19.01.2022 When we feel overwhelmed, stressed or anxious we forget that literally taking a deep, slow breath can really make a difference! Out of all the coping skills Ive learnt, this is the simplest and most powerful of them all! Breathing deeply gives us a chance to re-focus back on ourselves and takes us back to being in the present! With feelings of anxiety and overwhelm, our breathing often becomes shallow and rises high in the chest! Breathing deeply helps to re-centre and gives us a feel like were back in charge! Try in the next time your feel your emotions are taking over you, it can really help

16.01.2022 So wonderful to be having a little time out in the Australian Bush in Margaret River! I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to do this and will never take for granted these opportunities for some R & R! A day or two here is all I need to feel inspired by nature and have some quality family time! Feeling very lucky indeed

13.01.2022 My good friend from @o2b.organised very kindly mentioned me in her recent post about my hidden talent which was taking profile shots of her for her website! Actually, I love taking photos of people, I think its all about connection and finding the spark in that person! It got me thinking though, Im sure everyone has a hidden talent or passion! What I get excited about it how it can sometimes turn into a possible business or a passionate hobby!! So come on, I know you have at least one hidden talent, love you to share it with this lovely community!

13.01.2022 Parents often tell me in our coaching sessions that theyre striving for their teens to have the best of everything! I want them to go to the best school or my husbands away most of the time earning the money to make sure they have the best of everything or I just want them to have the best car!! Whilst I understand that sentiment, it can come at a huge cost! For example what we think are the best schools often are not be the best for our kids! Of course our teens ...love the best quality material possessions but it doesnt mean they should have them. Earning their own money to buy the material things they want is a great starting point! Its a rights of passage they get their first car fitting for a student not a prince! I can go on but I guess the bottom line is when we focus on building relationships with our teens and spending time with them rather than spending money on them, thats powerful! See more

12.01.2022 I've made it my mission to ask the Teens I coach over the last couple of weeks an important question: 'How do you want to be valued'? I was quite surprised by how much they opened up of this subject and how honest they were about their feelings! What I came away with is just how much they want and need to be heard by us!

12.01.2022 Happy Fathers Day to all those wonderful dads out there who have such a positive influence on their teenagers! My dad was a huge influence in my life is so many ways! He was so funny, charismatic and his fave music to dance to was Simply the Best which was so fitting! He was also incredibly encouraging of the work I do with teenagers as he loved his role as a a teacher. Like many of you who may be really missing their father today, its okay to be sad! Its a tough day but when I remember all the wonderful memories, it does makes me smile! If your dad is still around, make the most of this day with your father and enjoy every moment with him

12.01.2022 This post is primarily aimed at parents in the UK, as I know students have just received their exam results last week. Here in Australia they take last year exams towards the end of the year, but it is the same message I would give to parents and students throughout the world! Exams are only one form of assessment and a great many students do not do well in them. It has absolutely nothing to do with them not being 'bright', 'smart' or 'capable' but has everything to do with l...evel of engagement and motivation and sometimes maturity. This year the graduating class of 2020 have had to face even more obstacles than usual and their stress levels have gone through the roof! They have had become self- learners in isolation for a large part of this year and it all honesty it's crazy to expect these students to do well under these circumstance! Of course, this is not to take anything away from those students who did well in their exams and I congratulate them whole-heartedly! In my role as a 'student coach', however, my focus is on the those who feel disappointed and whilst I totally understand how they're feeling, my concern is the tendency to begin to define themselves by these exams results! This is why I have written this post in the hope these messages will get through to the teens who need to hear it the most. Thank you

12.01.2022 So much fun recording our first workshop together in a green screen studio at All Saints College with my dear friend and brilliant voice coach Luzita Fereday, who lectures at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts! Hard work to stayed focussed for so long but absolutely loved the process and the synergy between us! My mum said the sweetest thing to me just before I left- Its so lovely to see my daughter shine and do what she loves!! When you mum believes in, its such a great feeling!! The workshop is called Unlock your Performance Potential and will be available on-line soon for all performing arts students! Excited to see whats next for us!!

11.01.2022 This diagram is sooooooo important for us parents to grasp,as it can be the biggest barrier to helping our teens thrive! Hate to use this phrase but... back in our day everything seemed much more straightforward. We went to school, chosen our profession or career pathway and then went on to do our training in the field! Of course it wasnt that simple for many of our generation, (which I do think we sometimes forget)! So many people and parents I meet these days are ofte...n working in a field they wouldnt have dreamt of doing even 10 years ago (including me!!) But we strangely have a mindset that it perhaps should be a linear line in career terms for our teens!! Honestly it couldnt be further from the truth in this day and age! Yes there will be a small percentage of our kids who have always known exactly what they want to do, but most do not and that is fine!! Gen Zers are most likely to change their direction at least 6-8 times in their life, if not more!! With this pandemic hitting as hard as it has on this generation, it could be even more! So how do we support and guide them? Help them take a one step at a time approach instead of the bigger picture. Sounds very corny but now more than ever its about the journey not the destination! Think laterally rather then linearly and it will help your teen do the same. Stop asking what job they want to do and help instead to explore what their strengths and natural talents are ( they all have them I promise, its just some are more hidden). If you need any help around this area whatsoever please feel free to DM anytime or go to my bio link to find out about how I can help! See more

11.01.2022 If youre worrying about your teen at school, please read the words of the late great Ken Robinson on this wonderful image! Coaching as many students as I have for the last few years, I totally agree!! I know Ive said this before but it needs to be repeated:- If you teen isnt fitting into the education system please know they are far more likely to thrive and become more of who they were meant to be once they have left school.

11.01.2022 Totally devastated to hear the news this morning of the passing on Sir Ken Robinson! His amazing TED Talk struck such a chord with me about the need to transform the educational system (if you havent seen it, please watch it) it was one of the main reasons I got into coaching young people and wanting to give Talks at schools. His influence will live on through all the people like me who loved his work! RIP Sir Ken Robinson

10.01.2022 I have a 5-day challenge for you this week and it’s all about YOU!! Whilst we all want to be the best parents we can be, it’s hard when we’re feeling in a negative headspace, or ‘stuck’ or have some personal block that’s getting in the way of our personal growth! So this week I’ll be sharing a tip each day to help you feel better and take charge of how you feel! I’d love you to share on comments below or DM me if you’ve accepted the challenge and how you’re go at the end of the week!

09.01.2022 Love this! amazing dancing by these kids!! So uplifting! Lets get our week off to the sound of this beat!!!!!

08.01.2022 Its the one that catches us all out! I dont know about you but I have to consciously stop myself from muttering to myself when things go wrong like: omg I cant believe I did that .. how stupid is just one of my many examples!! Im really glad I know what it does to my psyche so I stop myself in time! Negative self-talk is one of our greatest hidden saboteurs and its one of the key life lessons I teach parents and students and one I have to keep reminding myself! The ...issue is that continuous negative self-talk becomes a negative belief we start to live in to and that really limits us. If a student keeps saying I just cant do this, Ill never be good enough, Im hopeless!!! it sticks like mud in their mind and blocks them! So I say to them would you say this to your best friend and they say of course not!!! So if we can be an example of the opposite -which of course is positive self talk, using encouraging and supportive words ( as we would say to our best friend or child) it really is a game-changer. Start now by becoming aware of the things you say to yourself and begin to turn your words into positive self-talk! If you feel you can share some of the things you say to yourself.. Im sure we can all identify with you See more

08.01.2022 This is a very recent comment said to me by a well-meaning father who wants the best for his son, but unfortunately giving him totally the wrong advice! When I take year 12's through my coaching program, I find some parents (with the best will in the world) give their son or daughter the kind of advice which was perhaps relevant when they were growing up. The world has totally changed and with it, so has the advice and guidance. We all know as parents, how hard it is to coach our own children (myself included) especially if we're not sure if what we're saying is the right thing. That is why I say to parents the most important role they can play is that of being the mum and dad; to be their 'cheering squad' and give them the love and support in every way possible. What I hear when I say that to parents is an outward sigh of huge relief!

08.01.2022 When I think of just how many teens Ive coached in the last few years who leave school having little or no idea what their unique talents and strengths, my heart sinks! While thankfully there are some high-schools who are making a huge effort to turn this around, sadly many are still stuck in the past! Our current educational system is without a doubt failing our kids! Its hard to see 16-18 years olds being crammed full on information which they may never use again, as ...a benchmark for success! The employment market has dramatically changed and their criteria has changed with it! As Ive said before, the selection criteria is often emotionally intelligent, savvy-smart kids who can communicate well and know what they have to offer! So, what can we do in our role as parents? Make sure our voices are heard in our schools and make sure they know that change is longer optional but absolutely essential, especially in these challenging times! Ill get off my soapbox for now,but it really does get to me when Im watching these beautiful teens crumble with stress and overwhelm before my very eyes! If you feel your teen is being overlooked and left behind and they need a confidence-boost and some help identifying their talents and strengths, Im always here to help! DM me or go to my bio for a confidential no-obligation chat See more

08.01.2022 Its so good to be dealing with issues close to the hearts of parents and teens. As you know by now I love collaborations with like-minded people because its always my aim to make the biggest difference I can by sharing new tips and fresh perspectives! With the feedback I had this week about just how many teens are struggling at school with anxiety, burn-out and overwhelm, Im doing at Instagram Live this coming Sunday with a coach who specialises in Anxiety with Teens.Her names Chelsea @bigbadbrainery and it will be great to get her tips too! Look out for my post tomorrow which will give you all the details. If you have any questions about your teen struggling at school, please DM me with them and Ill make a note of the for our Live on Sunday!

08.01.2022 I am devastated for you! I am so sorry that you have had to suffer this way and return to Lockdown due to the selfish acts of a minority of people who have chosen to make their personal freedom more important than the 'greater good' of the community and country! I am so sorry for all those students who have just returned to school, only to be told they now have to go back to on-line learning at home! I am so sorry for all the parents who had to go back to juggling 101 th...ings at the same time and somehow make it work! Please know if it is any consolation at all, that we stand with you all the way here in W.A Please ask for help if you struggling in any way! The mental well-being of you and your family are the most important thing right now! Call MIND on 1300 554 660 or LIFELINE on 13 11 14 See more

07.01.2022 One of the most common concerns I hear from parents is 'my teen seems lost'! Let me share with you what my usual response is: Firstly, it's absolutely true when I say just because you teen has little or no idea what they want to do next, it really doesn't mean they're lost! It means they simple 'don't know' and that is totally understandable, even pre-pandemic and now of course, even more so! In all my experience with coaching teens, I would say about 85-90% don't know wha...t they want to do. Only the rare few have always 'known' the direction they want to head in, which is many ways makes life easier for the parent (but not in some cases when they don't agree with their teen's choice!) The pandemic has thrown them 'off-course' and are faced with an extremely uncertain and unpredictable future so help them to focus more on the present and less on the future! Help them to discover their strengths and natural talents (and yes they all have them, just some need a bit more uncovering than others) and then make sure their next step will help in developing their strengths and attributes. Your concern or worry will rub off on your Teen! If they see you 'worrying' about it, they will too, so be really careful what you say around them them. Stop saying 'my teen is lost' as it perpetuates a negative feeling and instead say it's okay you are still figuring out your next steps and I'm right here to support you in any way I can'! If you need any help with this, please go to my bio and click on 'virtual success coaching'! This is my area of expertise and sometimes we need someone outside the family and school to help guide our teen to help them head in the right direction.

07.01.2022 Reminds of that song 'Always take the weather with you'! It's so true, it like when a stranger smiles at you for no other reason than to brighten someone's day! So this weekend, without looking like a crazy person, smile at strangers and be that person who 'lights up the room' even when it cold and raining outside!

06.01.2022 Challenge accepted! Thank you for nominating me Camilla @myparentingsolutions To lift each other up when we need it the most and celebrate our wins along the way is amazing! Thank you to all the women who have done just that in my journey so far!

05.01.2022 Oh my goodness this is so true! I know from past personal experience that when something hadn't worked out, it was only with hindsight that I understood why. Sometimes things don't work out for a reason. That's it! So, instead of letting it get to you, 'let go' because something so much better is waiting for you just around that corner and that's got to be exciting! p.s Why not pass this onto your Teen, how amazing would it be to get this message so much earlier in life!

05.01.2022 I ask this question because although we may have common issues parenting older teens, I don't want to make any assumptions. This is a great chance for you to share the potential challenges you may face next year, especially with the impact of the pandemic not only on our every day lives, but also as we face an uncertain 2021. I know for many high-schooler's who have completed their last year, they would usually be taking a gap year and going off to explore the world. Unless a... miracle happens early next year, it will be unlikely although here in Western Australia, students can travel around our vast state and hopefully into the other states when their borders open. So, is your teen off to university/college/further training or are they still going to take a gap year before deciding what course they want to do? Love to know what your thoughts are and what issues you face heading into 2021? See more

05.01.2022 I've tried it for 5 days and it actually works! Especially if you're like me and sometimes forget peoples names! I'm also going to share it with the students I coach when it comes to revision time! Hey, who doesn't want to improve their memory! Go on try it for a '5 day' challenge and let me know how you go!

04.01.2022 When we feel frustrated or overwhelmed it can easily get out of hand cant it and we find ourselves taking it out on the people around us! ( even my dog senses it with me and bolts out into the garden when Im coming down the stair!! ). After weve taken a long slow deep breath its really useful to examine whats behind the emotion! Its hard when were in the middle of it but take a moment afterwards to consider what is the real cause behind it! Often its because our ...focus is on the things we cant change such as this current pandemic! Of course were only human and the situation can get to us all but if we dwell in that space for too long, our feelings just get worse! When were aware of where our focus is, we can then switch it to what we can do something about. So think about today and figure out whats one thing you can do to feel better, feel calmer, who can you have a good chat with etc. Never before has taking one day at time been so pertinent! So lets focus on doing what we can and let go of what we cant do anything about! I know my dog is happy when I do See more

03.01.2022 Hi everyone! As promised here are the details for my next Live Chat on Sunday! Im so keen to talk with Chelsea @bigbadbrainery as she has some great tips and insights into teen anxiety and how parents can best support them! Well both share tips on how to help your teen who is struggling at school especially with 2020 being such a testing times! Make a note of the time in your diary as we would absolutely love it if you could join us! Thank you

02.01.2022 Personal skills used to be called soft skills but thank goodness, no more! When I talk to parents about their teens, one of their main concerns seems to still be their school grades!!! I know Ive said this in various ways in past posts,but in this current climate of great uncertainly, its far more important than ever that our kids are developing the skills and attributes they will help them succeed in a crazily-fast changing world. Future employers are choosing staf...f who possess self-awareness; great interpersonal skills; resiliency; the ability to collaborate and the communicate with a wide range of people... critical and creative thinking are also somewhere near the top of the list (creative thinking has jumped from 15 to being in the top 3) So instead of worrying yourself sick about grades, if I can offer only one piece of advice to you, it would be to help your teen to develop these skills at home! Focus on doing that and youll be helping lay the foundation for your teens future success!! See more

02.01.2022 In this current crisis and beyond, it's more important than ever that both parents and schools focus on helping our young people explore what their individual talents and strengths are! The school-leavers and uni graduates who already have an understanding of what their's is, have the greatest chance of success and fulfilment! Why? Because they will choose pathways and careers where they are most likely to develop their interests and strengths, rather than base their decisio...ns purely on academic acumen. It's really tough for parents to help their teens, when year 12's and 13's are up to their eyes in study either on-line or at school and important exams are looming in the very near future. But, we need to put our focus on encouraging our teens to explore their talents (yes,sometimes hidden but they are there, promise) if we want them to make the right choice after leaving school. Remember what makes them unique will be their ultimate success, so watch carefully what 'lights them up'; what comes naturally to them and if they are showing enthusiasm and passion for anything, that's great, grab onto it with both hands and help them do more of that! The world is a very strange place at the moment, but one thing I know for sure is we have to help lay the foundation for our teens now, so they can have a bright future! If you would like any help with this, please DM me or contact me via my bio! One of my greatest passions is helping young people find theirs! See more

02.01.2022 Its been an emotional week! My son turned 21 and I realised how much of a landmark this is, not just for my son but for me too! Ive watched him grow from a baby to a toddler to a teen and now a young adult! What an amazing journey its been as his mum! Weve celebrated his ups and been there for him in the downs! Im so proud of the young man hes become and I know he will continue his journey is his own way, maybe I wont be by his side but he knows well always be ...there for him come what may! I wish I knew what I know now back when he was 15/16. If I could, I would tell myself not to worry so much! To have faith in him even when we dont know exactly what his next steps would be. When he didn't take to the world of 'academia' I would reassure myself that its absolutely not the end of the world and smart comes in many different ways! (btw interesting to note that fast-forward to 3 years later, he passed his uni entrance exams!!) I would tell myself that it is far more important that he is hugely liked and loved by everyone, that he is confident in his own skin, has a wonderful sense of humour and he will do well in life whatever he decides to do! I have real faith that he will have a great life! Well continue to celebrate his ups and always be there to support him in his downs. I cant wait to see how the rest of his journey unfolds!! This is one very proud mum See more

02.01.2022 So many student are really stressed and struggling in their last year of high school! I know I have already done a similar post to this before, but I think its very important to reinforce based on the students Im currently coaching. Ive read many posts on fb and Instagram on how this class will become the most resilient school year ever and yes, that may well be the case, but in the meantime the impact this crisis is having on their mental health is enormous! I really... feel for all the students in countries like the UK and U.S (and plenty of other countries round the world), who havent attended school for months! And of course theres the students from Melbourne Victoria who have had to return to their second bout of Lockdown!! The class of 2020 are facing an incredibly uncertain future and as a consequence their morale and motivation is at an all time low. So please lets do what it takes to stay connected to them and that doesnt mean continually asking how they are going but they simply need to know weve got their backs. If you have a year 12 (Aus) year 13 (UK) studying from home, be there to guide and support them, but dont try and take over and become their teacher, because itll cause real tension in your relationship and thats the last thing either of you need. Put yourselves in their shoes and that will give a fresh perspective about their needs! If you have a teen in their last year of school who is struggling with motivation, focus and direction Im here to help! Its what I love to do and I can be with them every step of the way until their exams! You can always DM me or book in for a free, no obligation consultation chat! See more

01.01.2022 This article was written by Jessie, my beautiful niece from UK! I was blown away by this insightful and sensitive post and the hope it may give teens with an eating disorder. Thank you Jessie for having the courage to write it, it will make such a difference to any teen who reads it!

01.01.2022 Hi there! As promised on my video yesterday, I'm posting up my Day-one challenge, 'Talk yourself up'! Follow each step today and you will begin to really notice a difference with how you feel! As I mentioned before, as a 'Life Coach' and parent, I know how important it is to take care of ourselves not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too, so we CAN be the parent we want to be. ... These will be a series of very 'do-able' challenges, one of the best ways is to follow them with a good friend so you can give each other the support and encouragement you need! If you have accepted the challenge, please DM me or put in comments #challengeaccepted and then we can chat at the end of the week to find out how things are going! Can't wait to hear how you go!!!!