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Things Kids and Teens Wish You Knew
Eight quiet truths your child has probably never said out loud — and the science that explains why hearing them could change everything. There is a conversation happening inside your child that you m
The Role of Routine in Building a Resilient Family
What do the most resilient families have in common? It’s not what you’d expect. It’s not that they never argue. It’s not that their kids never melt down, fail a test, or come home devastated after a
Your Teen Just Started Their Exam Year
Here's What They Actually Need From You. The school bags are packed, the timetables are set — and the pressure just got very real. Whether your child has just stepped into Year 11 facing GCSEs, or Y
Building Resilience in Teenagers
5 Practical Activities for the Modern World Let's be honest, raising teenagers has always been challenging, but parenting teens in 2026? That's a whole different ball game.
How to Build Resilience in Children (Ages 0-12)
5 Simple Daily Activities You know that moment when your kid's tower of blocks falls over for the third time, and instead of rebuilding it, they dramatically flop onto the floor declaring they'll "ne
When Your Child Becomes the Teacher
As our children grow, something unexpected happens: they begin teaching us too. Through their courage, independence and growing sense of self, they remind us about presence, acceptance, letting go and
When Big Feelings Turn Into Anger
When a child with ADHD becomes overwhelmed, anger can appear suddenly and intensely. But what looks like challenging behaviour may actually be their nervous system moving into fight mode. Resilient Ki
What David Attenborough Has Taught Us About Parenting
What can emperor penguins, sea turtles, chimpanzees and cheetahs teach us about raising children? Quite a lot, it turns out. To celebrate Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday, we look back at a lif
Mum, I Don’t Want to Go
Anxiety doesn’t always look like worry. It can show up as anger, stomach aches, tears, avoidance, clinginess or a sudden refusal to do something your child normally manages. Understanding what is happ
The Year of Saying No (and Why It’s a Gift)
Learning to say “no” is an important part of growing up — but it can be surprisingly difficult in a world that often rewards people-pleasing and overcommitting. By modelling healthy boundaries and res
From Tantrums to Talk-Throughs
From toddler tantrums to teenage door slams, emotional regulation changes enormously as children grow. Understanding what is happening in their developing brain can help us respond with more connectio
Parenting on Empty – Rebuilding Your Emotional Reserves
Parents spend so much time looking after everyone else that their own needs can quickly fall to the bottom of the list. But looking after yourself isn’t separate from looking after your family. From r
Teens at Christmas: Balancing Family Time and Headspace
Christmas with teenagers can bring a strange mix of lovely family moments and firmly closed bedroom doors. As teens balance their growing need for independence with their need for connection and belon
When the Curtain Rises
There are moments when you suddenly see your teenager differently — not simply as your child, but as the young adult they are becoming. Watching her son take to the stage prompted Ashley to reflect on
Unmotivated or Overwhelmed?
When a teenager says “I’m not bothered,” it can sound like laziness, defiance or a lack of motivation. But behind the shrug there may be overwhelm, fear of failure, perfectionism or low self-worth. Un
Agency in Teens
We can’t predict exactly what the future will ask of our young people, but we can help them develop the confidence to navigate it. Agency — the belief that they can make choices, take action and influ
Off to Uni?
Sending your child off to university is a huge transition for both of you. Alongside the excitement and pride can come worry, grief and the strange realisation that your role as a parent is changing.
What My Podcast Didn’t Prepare Me For
We spend years helping our children become confident and independent — but nobody quite prepares us for the moment they prove they no longer need us in the same way. One unexpected trip to the injury
Why I’m Writing a Letter to My Daughter on Her 18th Birthday
How often do we actually tell our children everything we want them to know? Inspired by Stacey Dooley’s Dear Minnie, and with her daughter’s 18th birthday approaching, Ashley reflects on the power of
From Chaos to Confidence: Washington Ali’s Journey to Becoming Alive
What if the person you are today doesn’t have to define who you become tomorrow? In this episode of The Resilient Kid Podcast, Ashley talks to coach and speaker Washington Ali about his journey from a
How to Explain Boundaries to Kids (and Why It Could Change Everything)
Boundaries are one of the most important life skills we can teach our children. From being able to say no to unwanted affection to protecting their time, emotions and belongings, healthy boundaries he
Where Do Our Young Men Belong in Society?
Where do boys and young men find belonging in a world sending them increasingly conflicting messages about what it means to be male? Following a conversation with Sarah Vogel on The Resilient Kid Podc
Are You and Your Partner Parenting on the Same Page? Why It Matters for Raising Resilient Kids
You and your co-parent don’t need identical parenting styles, but children benefit enormously when the adults around them are broadly on the same page. From boundaries and bedtime to technology and ex
How to Be the Calm in Their Storm: Regulating Yourself to Help Your Anxious Child
When our children are anxious, angry or overwhelmed, our instinct is often to try to calm them down. But one of the most powerful things we can do starts with regulating ourselves. Understanding co-re
It Really Does Take A Village
It really can take a village to raise a child. From grandparents who offer a listening ear to cousins who provide a safe place to navigate relationships, extended family can play an important role in
The Family That Gigs Together, Stays Together
We spend lots of time showing an interest in the things our children love — but what happens when we invite them into our world too? After a family trip to a gig, Ashley reflects on the value of shari
When Failure Becomes a Landmark
The Leaning Tower of Pisa became world-famous because something went wrong. So what if we taught our children to look at their own mistakes differently too? Inspired by a trip to Pisa, Ashley explores
The House That Felt Like Home
Sometimes the most important thing we can give a young person is somewhere they know they belong. Resilient Kid coach Fiona reflects on being “Mummy Kenna” to her children’s friends — the parent with
Have You Ever Googled Yourself?
What would happen if you Googled yourself — or your child? Our digital footprints often begin long before children understand what they are, making conversations about technology more important than e
Why You Only Need to Get Parenting Right 30% of the Time
What if being a good parent isn’t about getting it right all the time? Ashley shares why children don’t need perfection — they need connection, responsiveness and repair. Using her simple ABC approach
Armchair Parenting
Ever found yourself shouting up the stairs for the third time and wondering why nobody is listening? The way we communicate with our children can make a huge difference to how they respond. By swappin
Navigating the Adolescent Phase: When Your Puppy Turns into a Teenager
What do teenage dogs and teenage humans have in common? Apparently, quite a lot. As Paddy enters adolescence, Ashley discovers some surprisingly familiar behaviours — selective hearing, boundary testi
Why Having a Puppy is Like Having a Child All Over Again
What happens when a psychotherapist who spends her days supporting parents brings home a puppy? Ashley quickly discovers that raising Paddy feels remarkably familiar. From boundary-pushing and sleeple
Supporting Young People
The adults children remember from school aren’t always the ones who taught their favourite subject. Sometimes, they’re simply the person who believed in them at exactly the right moment. Ashley explor
10 Things You Might Not Know About Being a Therapist for Kids
What is it really like to be a therapist working with children? From quietly celebrating the smallest steps forward to being firmly in a young person’s corner, child therapy is built on trust, connect
A Call to Action: Reversing Youth Unhappiness in the UK
Young people in the UK are reporting lower levels of happiness, with loneliness, disconnection and changing social habits all playing a part. So what can parents, educators and communities do? The ans
Embracing Mindfulness
Mindfulness is something we often recommend to others, but how often do we remember to practise it ourselves? After a conversation with mindfulness practitioner Rachel McKenna, Ashley reflects on the
Let's Break the Default Parent Cycle
Are you the parent everyone automatically turns to — for homework, lost shoes, school forms, friendship problems and everything in between? Being the “default parent” can leave you carrying far more t
International Children's Day - 1st June
International Children’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate children while reminding ourselves of our responsibility to protect, empower and listen to them. From education and play to safety, belongin
Exam Preparation
Exam season can feel overwhelming, especially when students are juggling multiple subjects, deadlines and the pressure to perform. But effective preparation isn’t about studying every waking hour. Fro
Teaching Emotional Regulation Skills to Enhance Child Resilience
Emotional regulation is one of the most valuable skills we can help our children develop. Learning to understand and manage big feelings doesn’t mean never getting upset — it means having the tools to
Future-Proof Parenting
We can’t predict every challenge our children will face, but we can help prepare them for whatever comes next. Building resilience isn’t about removing difficulties or expecting children to simply “to
Understanding and Managing Anxiety in Children: A Comprehensive Guide
Anxiety doesn’t always look like worry. In children and teenagers, it can show up as stomach aches, sleep problems, irritability, avoidance or changes in behaviour. Understanding what might be happeni
Understanding Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety can be difficult for both children and parents, whether it shows up at the school gate, before a sleepover or when a young person struggles to be away from their safe adult. Underst
Jeff's Journey: Gracie Barry's Bold Stand Against Childhood Anxiety
Sometimes one of the hardest things about anxiety is finding the words to explain how it feels — especially for children. At just 11 years old, author Gracie Barry created This is Jeff – Anxiety Monst
Anxiety In Our Kids
We often use the words worry and anxiety interchangeably, but they aren’t quite the same. Understanding the difference can help us recognise when everyday worries may be becoming something more persis
Nurturing Emotional Resilience in Kids
Helping children manage big emotions isn’t about stopping them from feeling angry, worried or overwhelmed. It’s about helping them understand what’s happening in their body and gradually develop the s
Mastering Emotional Regulation as Parents
Our children don’t just learn emotional regulation from what we tell them — they learn it from watching us. Understanding our own triggers, recognising when we’re becoming overwhelmed and knowing how
Motivating Children Beyond Rewards and Punishments
Getting our kids motivated can sometimes feel like an endless cycle of reminders, rewards and frustration. But lasting motivation isn’t built through sticker charts or punishment — it grows through co
The Impact of Paracetamol on Young Minds
Paracetamol is something most of us keep in the cupboard without giving it a second thought. But when a young person is struggling with their mental health, easy access to everyday medication can beco
Navigating the Educational Landscape
When your child experiences the world differently, school can sometimes feel like a difficult system to navigate. Knowing how to advocate for your neurodivergent child — and how to work collaborativel
Unlocking the Power of Neurodiversity in Parenting and Adulting
Sometimes understanding our child’s neurodiversity leads us to recognise things about ourselves too. Traits we may have spent years labelling as disorganised, forgetful, sensitive or simply “different
Unlocking the Hidden Potential of ADHD
When a child receives an ADHD diagnosis, it can be easy for the label — and the challenges that come with it — to take centre stage. But what happens when we look beyond the diagnosis and start notici
Recognizing Low Resilience in Children
Low resilience doesn’t look the same in every child. One might avoid anything they could fail at, another might become a perfectionist, while another worries constantly or struggles when plans change.
How Does Low Resilience Show Up In Our Kids
Low resilience doesn’t always look like a child who gives up. It can look like perfectionism, worrying, avoiding change, blaming others or being incredibly hard on themselves. Understanding these diff
Navigating Life's Challenge
Therapy isn’t just for when everything has fallen apart. It can be a space to understand yourself better, work out why you feel or respond the way you do, and develop tools for whatever life throws at
Teaching Our Kids Self-Care
We teach our children to brush their teeth, wash their hands and look after their bodies — but what about looking after their minds? Self-care is a life skill, and teaching it early can help children
Nurturing Tenacity
We all want our children to keep going when things get difficult — but building that tenacity sometimes means resisting our own urge to step in and make things easier. Learning to tolerate discomfort,
Navigating Parenting
What happens when you and your partner love your children equally but parent them very differently? One of you might be big on routines and boundaries while the other is more relaxed — and suddenly yo
Fortnite and the Art of Persuasion
Fortnite can feel like a battleground before your teen has even switched the game on. How long should they play? Is it addictive? Is it genuinely social time with friends? And when should parents step
Cultivating Resilience in Children
We talk a lot about helping children become resilient, but resilience doesn't begin with teaching them to cope alone. It begins with connection. When children know they belong, that someone is firmly
Preparing Your Child for School
Going back to school or college can bring a real mixture of emotions — excitement, nerves, anticipation and sometimes outright dread. Whether your child is starting somewhere new or simply returning a
A Parents Guide To Raising A Resilient Kid – The Book
We often say, “It takes a village to raise a child,” but that village can also play an important role in building resilience. Children don't become resilient by learning to cope with everything alone.
Accessibility for all
What does it really mean to make the world accessible for everyone? In this conversation with accessibility advocate Chantelle, we explore disability, inclusion and the small changes that can make a h
The Family Pot - Real-Life Family Example
How do we teach our children about money, responsibility and contributing to family life without everything becoming a battle over chores? The “Family Pot” is one family's approach to doing exactly th
The Power Of A Family Pot
What if we stopped thinking about family life as everything parents do for their children and started thinking about what everyone contributes? The Family Pot is a simple way of helping children under
Thriving Through Summer with The Resilient Kid Podcast
The summer holidays sound wonderful in theory — weeks of freedom, family time and no school run. Then reality hits: “I'm bored,” screen-time battles, disappearing routines and parents trying to keep e
Resilience and Connection
What does resilience actually mean? We often talk about “bouncing back” after something difficult, but I believe resilience is something we can build before life gets hard. And one of its most powerfu
Building Community and Inspiring Change
Resilience isn't only built when we're facing something difficult. It's also built through connection, community and purpose — knowing that we belong somewhere and that we have something valuable to c
The Power of a Significant Adult: Building Resilience and Enriching a Child's Life
It only takes one. One adult who consistently shows up, listens, believes in a child and makes them feel that they matter. That person might be a parent, teacher, coach, grandparent, mentor or someone
Being an Expat and leaving your village behind
We’ve all heard the phrase “it takes a village to raise a child” — but for many families, that village no longer exists in the way it once did. Grandparents live miles away, families are scattered acr
Connection With Our Teens
As our children move into the teenage years, it can sometimes feel as though they’re pulling further and further away. And biologically, that’s partly what they’re supposed to do. But underneath the e
How To Handle Back Chat
Backchat can push our buttons as parents, especially when we’re tired, stressed or already running on empty. But underneath the sharp tone or rude response, there’s often something else going on. Our
Lasting impact of COVID on our kids!
The pandemic may feel like it is behind us, but for many children and young people its impact didn't simply disappear when schools reopened. Missed learning, disrupted friendships, unusual school tran
Where It All Started For The Resilient Kid
Parenting was never meant to be done alone. The Resilient Kid community was created as a place where parents can ask questions, share the difficult bits and get practical support without judgement or
The Benefits Of Being Outdoors In Nature Part 2
Getting children outdoors offers far more than fresh air and exercise. Time in nature gives children opportunities to explore, take manageable risks, regulate their emotions, solve problems and build
The Benefits Of Being Outdoors In Nature Part 1
Time outdoors gives children far more than fresh air and exercise. Nature provides opportunities to move, explore, experiment, problem-solve and build confidence, while supporting their physical and e
What Kind Of Cases Does Ashley See On A Weekly Basis?
Sometimes our children face things that feel too big for them — and too big for us to navigate alone. From anxiety and friendship difficulties to self-harm, having a safe, trusted adult outside the fa
5 Books Transforming Kids
Books can be a brilliant way to start conversations with our children about some of the things they might find difficult to talk about. From bullying and body image to confidence, friendship and navig
Why Are Parents So Afraid To Ask For Help?
There is no such thing as a perfect parent. However much social media might try to convince us otherwise, every parent has moments when they don't know what to do next. Whether you're worried about fr
Supporting The Resilient Kid To Help Future Generations Flourish
What happens when a local business believes in your mission enough to help make it happen? Michelle Phelps from Hartford Wealth Management shares why supporting children's mental health is so importan
It All Started With A TEDx Talk
Sometimes you don't realise how far you've come until something takes you back to where it all started. When I was asked for a transcript of my 2019 TEDx talk, I found myself listening again to the id
Nature And Its Importance To Kids Mental Health
Nature has an incredible way of teaching children some of life's biggest lessons without us having to sit them down and teach them at all. From learning to slow down and be patient to understanding th
Top Tips To Getting Out In The Morning With The Kids But Without The Stress
If getting everyone out of the door in the morning feels like you've already done a full day's work before 8am, you're not alone. School mornings can quickly become a perfect storm of tired children,
The hardest things about parenting
Parenting can be wonderful, funny, exhausting and incredibly hard — sometimes all in the same day. Even after more than 25 years as a psychotherapist supporting children, teens and families, I can con