Mon. Dec 23rd, 2024

 Does the thought of September have you or your little ones feeling wobbly?

The advent of the new school year is a significant time of transition for kids and parents alike. Adjusting to new routines, environments, people and expectations can result in a cascading of big emotions. We all need a self-care toolkit to top up our energy banks and boost our resilience in the face of these challenges. Below is an extract from Stand Tall Like a Mountain by Suzy Reading  Aster | Flexiback | £12.99. The book has some great ideas on ways to boost confidence and calm. Family self-care practices of breathing and stretching and more.

Try this self-care gems, for parents, kids and for the whole family to enjoy together:

Stand Tall Like a Mountain

Purpose: to energize, uplift and boost confidence and courage.

Stand upright with your feet hip-width apart. Place your arms down by your sides and gaze forward. As you breathe in, raise your arms out to your sides and reach them overhead. Gaze up and press your palms together. As you breathe out, lower your arms down by your sides, elevating the crown of your head and look forward. Focus all your attention on how it feels to be moving, keeping your mind anchored on this present moment. Repeat this arm movement with your breath six times, noticing how it helps you breathe deeply and how you feel when you breathe better. On the last repetition, hold the pose with your arms overhead for a few breaths, feeling the length of your spine, the strength of your legs and tummy. Notice the sense of power, energy and focus you feel when you reach up and stand tall like a mountain.

This is an extract from Stand Tall Like a Mountain by Suzy Reading  Aster | Flexiback | £12.99. The book has some great ideas on breathing and stretching

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By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

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