Author: Dr. Malie Coyne

Following my recent introduction to the Parental Self-Care series “Put your own oxygen mask on first!”, in this article I will begin with a little personal anecdote to drive home the message that replenishing your “emotional fuel” after it has been depleted is actually an essential parenting skill that your children need you to have in your important role as their “emotional regulator”.

Today was one of the craziest parenting days I have had with my toddler divas. The first, aged 4, had an almighty crying attack in a play centre when I took a piece of blu tack away from her which she had been dearly attached to for the previous 24 hours. I explained that she may lose it during play, only for another child to potentially choke on it, but no good. The crying went on and on and on...

Author: Dr. Malie Coyne

“Put your own oxygen mask on first” – Something about that concept always resonated with me on my travels as a child and even today... I asked myself why on earth would a parent put their own mask on before tending to their most precious children? Well it really is starting to make sense to me now, and I cannot fully attribute it to my years of psychology experience working with children and parents... Rather it is my personal experience of being a mother to two young children, aged 4 and 2, which have really brought the message home to me!