Gentle notes
Short, honest reflections on hard moments and the tiny changes that help. Written by Nicola Ahern, author of the Big Feelings Are OK series.
22 July 2026
Why Leaving the Park Turns Into a Meltdown (And the Five Minute Game That Fixes It)
You said 'five more minutes' three times. Your child heard none of them. The park meltdown isn't naughtiness - it's a small brain being asked to stop mid-sprint. Here's what actually helps.
Read the post →10 July 2026
How to help your child name feelings (without turning it into a lesson)
A named feeling is a feeling a small brain can hold. Here's how to build that vocabulary in normal life - without ever turning it into a lesson.
Read the post →2 July 2026
How to end screen time without a meltdown
The meltdown isn't proof you gave them too much screen. It's proof the ending was hard. Here's how to make the ending gentler.
Read the post →24 June 2026
Setting up a calm down corner that actually gets used
A calm down corner isn't a punishment spot. It's a soft landing your child chooses to use - and that only works if you introduce it before the first meltdown.
Read the post →14 June 2026
How to use a visual timetable at home (a gentle guide for tricky transitions)
A visual timetable turns invisible time into something a child can see. Here's how to build one without laminating your life away - and how to use it in the moments that usually go sideways.
Read the post →5 June 2026
When mistakes feel enormous: perfectionism in young children
A crumpled drawing, a wrong answer, a missed step - and everything falls apart. Perfectionism in young children is a strength that hasn't learned to be kind to itself yet.
Read the post →28 May 2026
Using a feelings chart with young children (what actually works)
Feelings charts only work when they're used gently and often - not as a quiz during a meltdown. Here's how to make one part of everyday life.
Read the post →25 May 2026
Toddler tantrums: a gentle, honest guide (from the author of Big Feelings Are OK)
Tantrums aren't a discipline problem. They're a developing brain running out of room. Here's what helps - without shouting, shaming or giving in.
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