Parent Support

Positive reinforcement is far more than praise or stickers; it’s how children learn, build confidence, and understand their strengths. Research shows it creates lasting improvements in empathy, cooperation, and self-regulation. When mistakes are met with calm guidance rather than punishment, children grow rather than withdraw. Positive reinforcement isn’t permissive; it’s structured, relational, and truly transformative.

In 2019, while caring for my disabled dad, raising two children, and running a nursery, I found myself completely depleted — though I didn’t yet know the name for it: compassion fatigue. This blog explores how caring too deeply for too long can leave us running on empty, how to recognise the signs, and the hard but necessary choices we sometimes have to make to protect our wellbeing, our families, and our ability to truly connect.

As our children grow, so do we. Parenthood isn’t a fixed role, it’s a journey of evolving identity, shifting from hands-on care to gentle guidance, and learning to let go with grace. Watching Megan drive away, I realised she wasn’t just moving forward, we both were. This blog explores how parents can navigate the emotional transition of growing children, rediscover their own identity, and understand why nurturing ourselves is vital to nurturing them.