Rina Louw Clinical Social Worker

  This morning parents were sitting in my playroom. Rather desperate. Saying things like this: "She is only 5 years old, but we don't understand her." "She doesn't talk to us" "Some days are good days, but the bad days are too many" "We don't know what to do" Later 3 words came up for me. "To hold space"   What does that mean?. How do I hold the space for a 5-year-old child that is struggling in her own space, with no understanding, no words? That motivated me to find out how can I hold space with the children I am working with.   🎈  Be Present: When children want to talk or shar   e something, be fully present and attentive. Put away distractions like phones and give them your undivided attention. Maintain eye contact and offer verbal and non-verbal cues to show that you are actively listening.   💕  Practice Empathy: Empathy is crucial in holding space for your child. Try to understand their perspective and validate the

  👪Parenting is undoubtedly one of life's greatest adventures, but it doesn't come with a manual. As parents, we often feel the pressure to be perfect, but the truth is that imperfection is an inherent part of the journey. In this blog I want to explore the invaluable learnings that come from being an "imperfect" parent. After my son's suicide in 1987, I suffered many years, even up to day, of "imperfect parent" syndrome. How did I cope with it? 💖1. Cultivating Self-Compassion Being an imperfect parent has taught me the importance of self-compassion. I've realized that it's okay to make mistakes. Instead of berating myself, I've learned to treat myself with the same kindness and understanding. Embracing self-compassion allows me to bounce back stronger and model a healthier approach to handling setbacks in all aspects of life. 💪🏼2. Valuing the Power of Resilience Parenthood has taught me that resilience isn't just a trait; it's a