Estimated
Hey
I took a deep breath.
I’d read the posts. Saved the scripts. Rehearsed the voice.
But by Day 10 of the holidays - after one more sibling bust-up, one more let’s-chuck-everything-on-the-floor session, one more bolt to avoid brushing teeth - Dinosaur Mummy appeared. Loudly.
And then came the icky bit. That exasperating, frustrating feeling:
‘But I was trying so hard to stay calm.’
Trying our best doesn’t always feel like enough. And that - right there in that moment of deflation - is where something new can begin.
It's not that we’re not allowed to get royally annoyed when our kids push things a step too far. But in that moment - and after - I knew I wanted to handle it differently.
And rather than resigning myself to being Dinosaur Mummy forever, I realised: I can work on my response to these situations. If I want it to feel different next time, I can do something about it.
I’m under no illusion that I’ll suddenly become some serene, zen mother. But instead of beating myself up and spiralling into shame, I can pause. And I can try again next time.
It’s not about doing it perfectly. It’s about choosing to try and do something differently the next time one of the crazy moments hit.
What do we say when our child tries - really tries - and it still doesn’t work?
What do we say when we try, and still mess up?
That moment of ‘But I did my best!’ can feel rubbish - for both kids and grown-ups.
But let’s reframe.
Trying is still moving us forward. Resilience isn’t built in the wins. It’s built in the recovery.
The most powerful thing you can say?
This is where we want to put in the work on our mindset.
And this is how we raise kids who keep going - not because everything gets easier, but because they start to believe they can keep going even when it’s hard.
The Magical Yet
Angela DiTerlizzi (Author) Lornena Alvarez Gomez (Illustrator)
(Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
‘Yet knows you will, when you think you won’t’A joyful reminder that we don’t have to get it right the first time - and that effort still counts, even when things do go a bit wrong. According to DiTerlizzi, 'Yet' is a maker, a doer, a dreamer and a schemer. I love the notion that there are so many possibilities ahead of us when we use this favourite three-letter word.
This is the perfect book for you if your child has ever said, 'But I tried!' and felt like it wasn’t enough.
It helps kids see that the messy middle is just part of the journey - and that their 'Yet' is growing stronger with every try. 💪
Also, it rhymes. Does anyone not love a rhyming book?
The next time your child says, ‘I can’t do it’ or ‘This is too hard’, try this. Instead of ‘You can do it!’, try:
‘You’re in the middle of learning.’
‘It’s okay to feel stuck - that’s part of trying.’
‘You’re showing persistence - even if it doesn’t feel like it yet.’
These small shifts reinforce the process, not just the outcome.
It’s a powerful way to build real learning confidence.
from one parent to another,
Becca
A two-hour workshop just for you.
If the holidays have left you feeling frayed, and wobbly, and like your best wasn’t quite enough, this is your space to pause, reflect, and build something gentler and stronger.
📅 Saturday 17th May | 10am–12pm (GMT)
Pop the kettle on. Get someone to watch the kids. I’ll bring the mindset magic.
👉 Book your spot here
