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Juggling Motherhood, Bookmaking, Self-Publishing and Big Feelings — What I’ve Learned
🌸 Juggling Motherhood, Bookmaking, Self-Publishing and Big Feelings — What I’ve Learned When I first started dreaming of Hello Petal, it was during maternity leave — in those hazy, in-between hours where days blurred and ideas quietly sprouted. It felt impossible then, and even more impossible now that I’m back at work, balancing another layer of life alongside motherhood, creativity, and business. How could I write, illustrate, and publish a whole book — while raising two small children, working, running a household, and trying to hold onto myself in the middle of it all? The truth is, it wasn’t tidy. It was messy, slow, and often overwhelming. But it also…
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Why Emotional Literacy Starts in Early Childhood
When we talk about early learning, we track letters, numbers, and colours.But understanding and naming emotions—emotional literacy—is equally vital.It supports empathy, resilience, and communication—and it starts long before school does. 1. 🧠 The Critical Early Years The Australian Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) defines emotional literacy as foundational—woven into wellbeing, identity, and communication in the first years of life. Psychologists describe it as part of the first 1,000 days, a period they consider the most important stretch in a person’s life for shaping future mental health and relational skills. During this time, the brain is rapidly forming over one million neural connections every second (Harvard University Center on the Developing…
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Gentle Ways to Talk About Feelings With Young Kids
Big feelings are part of childhood — but talking about them doesn’t always come easily. As adults, we want to help. But it’s not always clear how to start the conversation, especially when emotions are running high. The good news? Children don’t need perfect words or polished lessons — they need connection, permission, and practice. When we talk about feelings gently and often, we help them build lifelong emotional strength. 🌱 Why It Matters Young children often express emotions through behaviour before they can name what’s going on inside. As Maggie Dent, author and parenting educator, explains: “When kids act out, they’re often acting from an unmet emotional need. Naming…
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What Is a Feelings Book?
🌼 What Is a Feelings Book? And why are they such a beautiful tool for little hearts? In the early years of childhood, emotions can feel enormous — but the words to describe them are still blooming. That’s where feelings books come in. These gentle stories support young children as they begin to: 🌿 Recognise what they’re feeling🌿 Learn names for those feelings🌿 Understand that all emotions — even the big, messy ones — are okay Rather than “fixing” emotions, feelings books offer a safe space to explore them — with warmth, permission, and language that feels just right for little ones. ✨ Why Feelings Books Matter Children are deeply…
