Small Wonders

A little reminder for parents as we head towards the school holidays…

If your child seems more emotional, tired or easily overwhelmed right now, they may simply be running low on their emotional energy.

A little more patience, a little more connection and a little less pressure can make a big difference.

Remember to look after yourself too, the end of term can be a lot for parents as well.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how hard children work to hold everything together.
Sometimes they’re the child who seems absolutely fine at school, but then everything falls apart when they get home. Sometimes they’re struggling with worries they don’t have the words for and sometimes they just need a safe space where they don’t have to be “good” or “brave” all the time.
That’s exactly why I created Small Wonders.
I offer gentle, one-to-one emotional wellbeing sessions using Drawing & Talking and sand tray therapy, helping children make sense of big feelings in a way that feels safe, natural and at their own pace.

If you’ve found yourself wondering lately…
“Is my child coping?”
“Why are they so anxious or emotional?”
…please know you’re not alone and you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself.

I currently have a few spaces available, so if you’ve been thinking about getting some extra support for your child, now is a lovely time to get in touch. There’s no pressure at all, I’m always happy to have a chat and answer any questions before you decide if it’s the right fit.
Caroline x
📧 [email protected]

Happy Friday! 🌼

Well… that’s another week finished!

This week has been full of listening, chatting, drawing, playing and helping children untangle some really big feelings. After more than 25 years of working with children and families, I’m still reminded every week that every child is different and sometimes all they need is the right person and the right space to help things make a bit more sense.

I regularly speak to parents who say, “I wasn’t sure if I should get in touch…”
My answer is always the same… there’s no harm in having a chat.
You don’t need to have all the answers and things don’t have to reach breaking point before you ask for some support. Sometimes a little chat is all it takes to work out what might help.

So, if your child has been finding things a bit tricky lately or you’ve been wondering whether some emotional support could help, just send me a message. I’m always happy to answer questions and if I’m not the right person, I’ll always point you in the right direction.

Now I’m looking forward to a cuppa and hopefully a bit of sunshine this weekend! ☕☀️

Whatever you’ve got planned, I hope you have a lovely weekend.
Caroline
📧 [email protected]

Wellbeing Tip of the Week
I think many of us find it easier to be kind to everyone else than we do to ourselves.
When I notice that critical inner voice getting louder, I try to stop and ask myself:
“What would I say to a friend if they were feeling this way?”
The answer is usually full of compassion, encouragement and understanding.
So why not offer myself those same words?
Being kind to ourselves doesn’t mean we ignore the difficult days. It means we acknowledge them without adding self-criticism on top.

I just wanted to share a little glimpse into the world of sand tray therapy because it’s something I never stop being amazed by.
One of the things I love most is watching children choose the figures they’re drawn to. They don’t overthink it… they just know.
This beautiful tray is full of colourful pieces: fantasy figures, nature objects, landmarks, people and a dose conflict.
Whenever I look at a sand tray, I’m reminded that we all see something different. Some people notice the flowers, others the soldiers. Some are drawn to the peaceful water, while others spot the unicorn or the landmarks.

That’s one of the things I love about sand tray therapy. It’s never about me deciding what something means. It’s about creating a safe space where a child can tell their story in their own way, when they’re ready.

I’d love to know… what part caught your eye first?

If you’ve been wondering whether sand tray therapy could help your child or you’d just like to know a little more about how it works, I’d love to have a chat. There’s never any pressure, just a friendly conversation.
Send me a message using my link.

🔗 linktr.ee/caroline.smallwonders

After working with children and families for many years, I’ve realised something…
Most parents I meet are carrying around worries like these.
“Am I doing enough?”
“Have I handled that the right way?”
“Why does everything seem so bloody hard at the moment?”
The thing is, our children don’t come with instruction manuals, do they? Some days they’re chatty and full of smiles and the next they seem overwhelmed by the tiniest thing. As parents, we’re left trying to work it all out while juggling work, washing, dinners, school runs and about a hundred other things.
If that’s you today, I just want to say this…
I see you.
I see the parent who’s trying their best, even when they’re tired.
I see the parent lying awake wondering if their child is okay.
I see the parent who feels guilty because they lost their patience and then spent the rest of the evening mulling it over.
You don’t have to be a perfect parent. Your child doesn’t need perfection.
They need love, safety, cuddles, laughter, someone to listen and someone who keeps showing up for them.

From what I’ve seen over the years… that’s exactly what most of you are already doing.
Be kind to yourself today. You’re probably doing a much better job than you give yourself credit for.

I’m often asked, “Is it hard when a child’s sessions come to an end?”
The honest answer is… yes, sometimes it is.
I always have mixed emotions. I’m so proud of what they’ve achieved.
I’ve often watched a child come into the room feeling anxious, overwhelmed or unsure and over the weeks I’ve seen them grow in confidence, begin to understand their feelings and realise just how capable they really are.
That’s the part I love.
But saying goodbye can be hard too.
When you spend time with a child each week, you build a relationship based on trust. They let you into their world, they share parts of themselves that they may not share anywhere else and it’s a real privilege to be part of that.
Of course, the goal is always for sessions to end. That’s what we’re working towards. It means they’re ready to carry on without me, and that’s something to celebrate.
Even so, I often find myself wondering how they’re getting on. I hope they’re smiling more, believing in themselves a little more and remembering that it’s okay to ask for help when they need it.

Every child I work with leaves a little footprint on my heart and I genuinely feel grateful that, for a little while, I was able to walk alongside them on their journey.
It’s one of the most rewarding parts of what I do. 🧡
Caroline
Small Wonders

Saturday Check-In
Weekends can be crazy busy.
There are jobs to do, people to see, washing to catch up on… and before you know it, the weekend has disappeared.
So before today gets away from you, take a minute to ask yourself:
What do I need today?
It might be:
A bit of quiet
A cuppa and five minutes to yourself
A walk outside
A chat with someone
An early night
A laugh
Whatever it is, it’s okay to make a little space for yourself.
Looking after your emotional wellbeing doesn’t have to mean making big changes. Sometimes it’s just noticing what you need and giving yourself permission to do it.
What’s one thing you’ll do for yourself today?
Have a lovely Saturday,
Caroline 🧡

Small Wonders – Supporting the emotional wellbeing of children, young people and adults.

Following on from yesterday’s sand tray post…
One of the questions I’m often asked is:
“Do the objects mean something specific?”
The answer is yes… and no.

A cross might represent faith for one person, loss for another or a simple memory.
An angel wing might symbolise protection, comfort, hope or someone who is missed.
A jewel might represent something precious, a hidden strength or something a person wants to keep safe.

What I’ve learned over the years is that it’s not about what the symbol means to me.
It’s about what it means to the person who chose it.
That’s the magic of sand tray work.
It gives people a way to tell their story without needing to find all the words first.🧡

Have you ever had an object, photograph or a keepsake that held a special meaning to you that nobody else would have guessed?
I’d love to hear about it.

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One of the things I love most about sand tray work is that understanding often comes later.
In the moment, we create. Afterwards, we reflect and sometimes that’s when the meaning begins to emerge.
The symbols, the positioning, the stories hidden within the sand can offer powerful insights into a person’s inner world.
The sand tray often knows before we do.
If you’d like to know more about how sand tray therapy can help, please message me. I’m always happy to have a chat. 🧡

🔗 linktr.ee/caroline.smallwonders