As parents, we’re always searching for ways to support our children’s health and well-being, especially when they face challenges like ADHD. One surprising factor that can significantly impact our kids’ cognitive function and behavior is diet, particularly the consumption of grains. The concept of "Grain Brain" is gaining traction in health circles, highlighting how grains can affect brain health and exacerbate conditions like ADHD. With my own daughter who is unmedicated, when she had a sandwich for three days in a row, it was always almost followed by an angry episode which led me to want to learn more on how food could affect her so dramatically. 

Understanding Grain Brain

The term "Grain Brain" was popularised by Dr. David Perlmutter, a neurologist and author of the book Grain Brain. He argues that grains, especially those high in gluten and carbohydrates, can contribute to inflammation and other issues in the brain, affecting cognitive function and...

In the journey of parenting, few challenges compare to raising strong-willed and neurodivergent children. These amazing kids bring so much joy and uniqueness into our lives, but they also require a lot more guidance in navigating their emotions and reactions. I feel the highs are higher but the lows are lower.

One powerful tool that can help them achieve emotional balance is Tapping, also known as Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT).

What is Tapping (EFT) and Why is it Important for Kids?

Tapping is a simple yet effective technique that involves gently tapping on specific points on the body while focusing on negative emotions or physical sensations. This method, which combines elements of ancient Chinese acupressure and modern psychology, can help release emotional distress and bring about a sense of calm.

For strong-willed and neurodivergent children, Tapping offers a way to manage their emotions independently and effectively. It empowers them to regulate their own...

It’s funny how a perspective shift can transform everything. 

A strong willed child, can be energetic, can be argumentative, can be absolutely infuriating. They can unintentionally beat you down, especially if you are leading the way with positive discipline, gentle parenting and respectful parenting practices. 

It can all make you questions your sanity.  It forces you to work on yourself, to be come a better parent. You learn to master your own strong willed tendencies, you search out ways to find better grounding and control of yourself. 

You look for tools to support your interactions with your child. You use ‘Time-In” you swerve ‘Reward Charts’ you work hard to never use punishment or reward. 

You build resilience, you teach them how to look at things from a global perspective not just a local perspective (the whole world hates me then becomes that one girl doesn’t like me) 

Life becomes easier and you find a...

Strong willed children have always interested me.

My learning over the years has meant that I have a lot of amazing tools to support the more challenging times.

Interesting the tools I share with the mums I work with, be that personal development tools for their own growth and balance or parenting tools to support keeping their child more regulated now become my own lifeline once again. Ha at least I know they work!

My daughters ADHD diagnosis is so much more obvious as she reaches 10 and as we break our routine by spending the summer in our friends tiny guest casita in Ibiza for the summer.

From what I am learning children with ADHD have an underdeveloped brain ( well half of it is, the other part is off the chart over developed) which results in them having lots of melt downs. So I have had to get really good at knowing how to handle them.

Now these melt downs are what we’re previously seen as tantrums.

We associate tantrums with 3 year olds. It’s entirely more intense...