Parenting Children

Parenting comes with our most joyful, magical, exhausting, maddening, moments – sometimes all before breakfast. Our children don’t need us to be perfect. (Phew!) What they need is for us to enough – for us to parent with tenderness and strength and be the guardians of their space in the world as they venture forward and discover their very important place in it. Some days we will do this beautifully, and some days we won’t – but that’s what parenting is all about isn’t it. It’s being human at its biggest. To support you along the way, this section contains articles that are grounded in strong scientific wisdom – no preaching, no judgement, just rock solid information to bring you to your parenting heart and support you in being the parents your young loves need you to be.

Latest Articles

What people are saying

My books arrived today. I loved Hey Warrior and didn’t think anything would top that until I read Hey Awesome. I felt like it was written with my Master 9 in mind! So many of my clients not to mention my own children will benefit from this book. Thank you for making mental health and anxiety resources so accessible and destigmatising the area.

Inspire Rehab and Psychology

VIA FACEBOOK

Have had Hey Warrior and Hey Awesome for only 3 days and they have already made a huge impact on our 9 yr old. LOVE them. Highly recommend them!

A.S.

VIA FACEBOOK

My order of my copy of ‘Hey Awesome’ ad my warrior plush toy arrived today. Your new book is AMAZING! I work in private practice and I think it’s one of my new favourites. So well written (and so) practical. And the warrior plush toy is adorable!

J.N.

VIA FACEBOOK

My books arrived today. I loved Hey Warrior and didn’t think anything would top that until I read Hey Awesome. I felt like it was written with my Master 9 in mind! So many of my clients not to mention my own children will benefit from this book. Thank you for making mental health and anxiety resources so accessible and destigmatising the area.

Inspire Rehab and Psychology

VIA FACEBOOK

Have had Hey Warrior and Hey Awesome for only 3 days and they have already made a huge impact on our 9 yr old. LOVE them. Highly recommend them!

A.S.

VIA FACEBOOK

My order of my copy of ‘Hey Awesome’ ad my warrior plush toy arrived today. Your new book is AMAZING! I work in private practice and I think it’s one of my new favourites. So well written (and so) practical. And the warrior plush toy is adorable!

J.N.

VIA FACEBOOK

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karenyoung_heysigmund

Perth and Adeladie - can`t wait to see you!

The Resilient Kids Conference is coming to:

- Perth on Saturday 19 July
- Adelaide on Saturday 2 August

I love this conference. I love it so much. I love the people I`m speaking with. I love the people who come to listen. I love that there is a whole day dedicated to parents, carers, and the adults who are there in big and small ways for young people.

I’ll be joining the brilliant @michellemitchell.author, Steve Biddulph, and @matt.runnalls for a full day dedicated to supporting YOU with practical tools, powerful strategies, and life-changing insights on how we can show up even more for the kids and teens in our lives.

Michelle Mitchell will leave you energised and inspired as she shares how one caring adult can change the entire trajectory of a young life.

Steve Biddulph will offer powerful, perspective-shifting wisdom on how we can support young people (and ourselves) through anxiety.

Matt Runnalls will move and inspire you as he blends research, science, and his own lived experience to help us better support and strengthen our neurodivergent young people.

And then there`s me. I’ll be talking about how we can support kids and teens (and ourselves) through big feelings, how to set and hold loving boundaries, what to do when behaviour gets big, and how to build connection and influence that really lasts, even through the tricky times.

We’ll be with you the whole day — cheering you on, sharing what works, and holding space for the important work you do.

Whether you live with kids, work with kids, or show up in any way, big and small, for a young person — this day is for you.

Parents, carers, teachers, early educators, grandparents, aunts, uncles… you’re all part of a child’s village. This event is here for you, and so are we.❤️

See here for @resilientkidsconference tickets for more info https://michellemitchell.org/resilient-kids-conference

View Instagram post by karenyoung_heysigmund

Jul 12

Open post by karenyoung_heysigmund with ID 17944784214008950
Perth and Adeladie - can't wait to see you! The Resilient Kids Conference is coming to: - Perth on Saturday 19 July - Adelaide on Saturday 2 August I love this conference. I love it so much. I love the people I'm speaking with. I love the people who come to listen. I love that there is a whole day dedicated to parents, carers, and the adults who are there in big and small ways for young people. I’ll be joining the brilliant @michellemitchell.author, Steve Biddulph, and @matt.runnalls for a full day dedicated to supporting YOU with practical tools, powerful strategies, and life-changing insights on how we can show up even more for the kids and teens in our lives. Michelle Mitchell will leave you energised and inspired as she shares how one caring adult can change the entire trajectory of a young life. Steve Biddulph will offer powerful, perspective-shifting wisdom on how we can support young people (and ourselves) through anxiety. Matt Runnalls will move and inspire you as he blends research, science, and his own lived experience to help us better support and strengthen our neurodivergent young people. And then there's me. I’ll be talking about how we can support kids and teens (and ourselves) through big feelings, how to set and hold loving boundaries, what to do when behaviour gets big, and how to build connection and influence that really lasts, even through the tricky times. We’ll be with you the whole day — cheering you on, sharing what works, and holding space for the important work you do. Whether you live with kids, work with kids, or show up in any way, big and small, for a young person — this day is for you. Parents, carers, teachers, early educators, grandparents, aunts, uncles… you’re all part of a child’s village. This event is here for you, and so are we.❤️ See here for @resilientkidsconference tickets for more info https://michellemitchell.org/resilient-kids-conference

karenyoung_heysigmund

BIG NEWS!

You`ve been asking for it - and here it is.

The Hey Warrior Workbook is now available for presale, for delivery on 20 August.

The workbook is the ultimate sidekick to ‘Hey Warrior’ and ‘Ups and Downs’.

It`s jam-packed with practical activities, powerful strategies, and clever little life skills, this workbook will help kids wrangle anxiety, build their brave, and navigate their big feelings (waaay easier when they have a guide!).

It`s playful. It`s practical. It`s got warmth, humour, and loads of heart.

Best of all, it will guide kids through their ups, downs, and everything in between, all while supporting them to explore their feelings, build self-awareness, and find what works for them.

The more kids can understand why they feel the way they do, and how those feelings influence what they do, the more they can meet those feelings with compassion, confidence, and clarity.

Because all kids can do amazing things with the right information. (But you already knew that!)

For ages 5-12. (And super helpful for grown-ups too.)

Available to order now from the online shop - link in the bio. Or save 15% with the Mighty 3 Bundle which includes Hey Warrior, Ups and Downs, and The Hey Warrior Workbook. ❤️

View Instagram post by karenyoung_heysigmund

Jul 11

Open post by karenyoung_heysigmund with ID 18380027137135518
BIG NEWS! You've been asking for it - and here it is. The Hey Warrior Workbook is now available for presale, for delivery on 20 August. The workbook is the ultimate sidekick to ‘Hey Warrior’ and ‘Ups and Downs’. It's jam-packed with practical activities, powerful strategies, and clever little life skills, this workbook will help kids wrangle anxiety, build their brave, and navigate their big feelings (waaay easier when they have a guide!). It's playful. It's practical. It's got warmth, humour, and loads of heart. Best of all, it will guide kids through their ups, downs, and everything in between, all while supporting them to explore their feelings, build self-awareness, and find what works for them. The more kids can understand why they feel the way they do, and how those feelings influence what they do, the more they can meet those feelings with compassion, confidence, and clarity. Because all kids can do amazing things with the right information. (But you already knew that!) For ages 5-12. (And super helpful for grown-ups too.) Available to order now from the online shop - link in the bio. Or save 15% with the Mighty 3 Bundle which includes Hey Warrior, Ups and Downs, and The Hey Warrior Workbook. ❤️

karenyoung_heysigmund

We don’t need the last word. We don’t need them to agree.

When there is a power struggle - we want … they want … we’re trying to convince them … they’re trying to convince us … - leave power on the table. It’s already yours because you’re the grown-up. You don’t need to convince them, and nothing they can do or say (or don’t do or say) will change that.

The presence they are looking for is an anchor presence - love + leadership - strong, steady, grounded and able to care for them through the storm.

Anchors don’t stop working when the storm hits. During the storm, they work harder to hold on and keep things safe. They don’t take things personally and they don’t judge their performance on how well or how quickly they can stop the storm.

It doesn’t matter if our kiddos don’t see things our way. They’re looking through a different lens - one that can’t always see around corners the way we might be able to. They don’t have the same resources, experiences, or skills as us. Neither did we at their age.

We’re in charge of keeping them, others, and their relationship with us safe. They’re in charge of how they respond.

It’s why boundaries have to be about what we do - because it’s all we can control.

Sometimes an anchor presence means recognising that we can’t stop the storm, and we don’t need to.

When they don’t have the skills or resources to do what we would like them to do in the moment, we do what we can do to keep the moment safe, while letting them know we are here for them.

If they’re hurting a sibling, we move the sibling away, and stay in connection while we do. ‘It’s okay to be angry. I won’t let you hurt their body (while we’re physically moving their sibling - that’s the boundary). I’m right here (relationship).’

Or if they’re yelling: ‘I want to hear what you want. I care about you much to listen when you’re saying those things about me. (Boundary - I’m not listening.)

Or, ‘You might stay angry with me for a while and that’s okay. I’m here when you want to talk about it, but I won’t listen while you’re yelling at me. Take your time. You’re not in trouble.’♥️

View Instagram post by karenyoung_heysigmund

Jul 8

Open post by karenyoung_heysigmund with ID 18127616737453276
We don’t need the last word. We don’t need them to agree. When there is a power struggle - we want … they want … we’re trying to convince them … they’re trying to convince us … - leave power on the table. It’s already yours because you’re the grown-up. You don’t need to convince them, and nothing they can do or say (or don’t do or say) will change that. The presence they are looking for is an anchor presence - love + leadership - strong, steady, grounded and able to care for them through the storm. Anchors don’t stop working when the storm hits. During the storm, they work harder to hold on and keep things safe. They don’t take things personally and they don’t judge their performance on how well or how quickly they can stop the storm. It doesn’t matter if our kiddos don’t see things our way. They’re looking through a different lens - one that can’t always see around corners the way we might be able to. They don’t have the same resources, experiences, or skills as us. Neither did we at their age. We’re in charge of keeping them, others, and their relationship with us safe. They’re in charge of how they respond. It’s why boundaries have to be about what we do - because it’s all we can control. Sometimes an anchor presence means recognising that we can’t stop the storm, and we don’t need to. When they don’t have the skills or resources to do what we would like them to do in the moment, we do what we can do to keep the moment safe, while letting them know we are here for them. If they’re hurting a sibling, we move the sibling away, and stay in connection while we do. ‘It’s okay to be angry. I won’t let you hurt their body (while we’re physically moving their sibling - that’s the boundary). I’m right here (relationship).’ Or if they’re yelling: ‘I want to hear what you want. I care about you much to listen when you’re saying those things about me. (Boundary - I’m not listening.) Or, ‘You might stay angry with me for a while and that’s okay. I’m here when you want to talk about it, but I won’t listen while you’re yelling at me. Take your time. You’re not in trouble.’♥️

karenyoung_heysigmund

Mattering is about feeling valued and feeling like I’m doing something that adds value. It doesn’t have to come from grades or schoolwork, and for so many kids it probably won’t. There are so many ways to help kids feel seen and valued that have nothing to do with schoolwork, but which can work to engage them in schoolwork. Little things make a big difference.

We also have to let our teachers know how much the matter. They are the greatest key to ‘mattering’ (or unmattering) in our schools and for our young people.♥️

View Instagram post by karenyoung_heysigmund

Jul 2

Open post by karenyoung_heysigmund with ID 17952016169987182
Mattering is about feeling valued and feeling like I’m doing something that adds value. It doesn’t have to come from grades or schoolwork, and for so many kids it probably won’t. There are so many ways to help kids feel seen and valued that have nothing to do with schoolwork, but which can work to engage them in schoolwork. Little things make a big difference. We also have to let our teachers know how much the matter. They are the greatest key to ‘mattering’ (or unmattering) in our schools and for our young people.♥️

karenyoung_heysigmund

If we want to meet their learning needs, we first have to meet their relational ones. If we want them to be open to learning, they first have to open to the adult they are learning from - and they won’t be open if they don’t feel seen, safe, and cared for. It’s not always easy, it’s just how it is.♥️

View Instagram post by karenyoung_heysigmund

Jun 29

Open post by karenyoung_heysigmund with ID 18277572268274860
If we want to meet their learning needs, we first have to meet their relational ones. If we want them to be open to learning, they first have to open to the adult they are learning from - and they won’t be open if they don’t feel seen, safe, and cared for. It’s not always easy, it’s just how it is.♥️

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