Theresa Gulliver Counselling

01/31/2024

Most parents I work with subscribe to a gentle parenting approach, largely because it aligns with their values. In the absence of a longitudinal study to measure if this is beneficial for our children, this article explores the concept and why it may be popular at this time.

Dr. Alice Davidson, a professor of developmental psychology, is one of the few academics to have actually studied gentle parenting – and she shares her research

04/18/2022

Such great tips for regulating your reactions and triggers.

04/09/2022

A thorough overview of the research related to sleep training. It’s a long read and well worth it.

Some parents see "sleep training" as the key to a good night's rest. Others argue that it's distressing for babies. What do scientists say about its risks and benefits?

02/23/2022

Helpful points to keep in mind!

Whatever the stress, whatever the reason, these ten things can help us stay grounded in what really matters in finding a way through. As a parent (or teacher), it can be hard to feel like you are the answer to your kid's needs when there are few to be found for what troubles us. Sink into togetherness, hold onto the ones you love, and let that be your answer.

You can download this infographic here - https://macnamara.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/parenting-under-stress-USE-THIS.jpg

11/09/2021

How we perceive children's behaviour impacts how we respond. These are some very useful reminders.

10/21/2021

There are many things we can do to benefit and maintain healthy relationships. Here are four to consider.

10/16/2021

Sending love to those of you that carry your babies in your hearts and not your arms.
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We are available until 3pm PST if you would like to reach out for support today. You can reach us by phone or text at 604-255-7999.
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Posted • Today is Pregnancy +infant loss Remembrance Day.

T.W. Pregnancy loss

I was 7 months pregnant when I lost Lillian. I was young, and I could barely wrap my head around grief, let alone a grief that I couldn’t find words for.

I was 20 when I lost her, and I only started healing from it 4 years ago. My heart and mind had no idea how to even begin healing from this kind of loss, so I didn’t allow myself space to properly grieve at the time. It was as if because I never got to know her favorite color, what she was interested in or what foods she didn’t like— that I subconsciously told myself I had nothing to be upset about.

As you may know— that not how love, mothering, or being human works.

Every feeling I felt was valid. Every moment of anger, confusion, sadness, longing, resentment.

But was not valid was the little voice telling me that maybe it was my fault.
I did nothing wrong, my body did nothing wrong, and I wasn’t being “punished”. Which are all thoughts that ran through my 20 year old mind.

I didn’t need to hear “everything happens for a reason”, or that there was another plan for me, or her. Because sometimes terrible things happen, without reason and we just have to learn to move through them and be reminded that we are loved.
That’s it.

And if you also had this experience: your feelings, experience, grief are valid no matter how many weeks along you were and It was not your fault. ❤️

I dedicated my book to Lillian (and my mom) because the book I made is the world I would have wanted her to grow up in and she comes through in my art daily. I would have wanted her to know she is enough, worthy, whole and that the world needs her as she is— not as it tells her to be. ♥️

❤️If today is tough for you- my email is always open.

09/28/2021

A fabulous summary of Resiliency
"Resilience comes from feeling the disappointments in life and knowing you can survive them. The key is not to be afraid to go on these emotional journeys with our kids and to invite the tears that are needed."

Childhood is full of wounds. Not just the cuts, scrapes, and bruises of explorative play; kids’ feelings are routinely hurt, whether from rejection by others, to name calling or being excluded. They fear the dark, are nervous about going to school, or feel apprehensive about an upcoming test. Thei...

09/10/2021

Setting up the new office space at 1005 Cook Street