https://dragonflynortheast.thementalwellbeingcompany.com/

Dragonfly Wellbeing, North Shields (2025)

14/11/2025

What if rest was something we built - piece by piece, like a home?

A home with walls made of boundaries, windows that let in light, and rooms filled with laughter, stillness, and messy, beautiful moments of peace.

Rest isn't the absence of activity - it's the presence of care. It's the choice to slow down, to listen, to notice, to nurture ourselves and the children in our care. It's what keeps us whole, connected, and human in a world that rarely slows down.

For our children, rest might look different every day. And for parents and carers, rest can feel just as radical.

This week at Dragonfly, we're leaning into the truth that rest is resistance. Because when we choose to rest - as parents, carers, children, families - we're choosing to build something strong, gentle, and enduring: a home that can hold us all. A home that reminds us that slowing down is not weakness - it's a strength. 🏡💛

What does rest look like in your home? How do you and your little ones create space to pause, breathe, and just be? Share with us - your story might be exactly what another parents needs to hear today.

12/11/2025

Rest happens when we move gently and reconnect with nature's rhythm 🍃

Sometimes, rest is moving slowly - tiptoeing along a forest path, tracing patterns in the sand, or simply wandering through the garden together.

For children and adults alike, these gentle, mindful movements in nature create space to pause, reconnect and recharge. Rest can be a slow exploration, a quiet adventure, and a way to be fully present with the world around us.

This week, let's embrace rest that moves - softly, intentionally, and with wonder. 🌿💛

10/11/2025

🎨 The Art of Rest 🎨

Rest isn't doing nothing - and that is more than okay.

For many children, rest doesn't mean switching off or lying still. It can be something quieter, smaller, and deeply personal. Sometimes, it's a soft hum in the background, a cosy corner filled with familiar comfort, or simply the chance to let their body unwind and their thoughts drift.

For children who feel the world in big, beautiful and sometimes overwhelming ways, rest becomes an act of care, it's a kind of quiet resistance - a refusal to be swept up in the endless rush.

Because we live in a culture that praises busyness but rarely celebrates stillness. Yet it's in those slower moments that let the real magic unfold. That's where healing happens, and that is where balance is found.

There is no single way to rest.
Rest is not weakness.
It's strength - tender, powerful and beautifully human. 💛

What does rest look like for your child?
How did they find their calm?
We'd love to hear from you!

07/11/2025

🎮 Grounding Quest: Understanding Every Nervous System

Every child's nervous system is unique - and so is the way they find calm. In our Grounding Quest: Neurodivergent Edition, we explore what "grounding" might look like for different players and why no two paths are ever the same. 🌿

⚡ Level 1: The Mover - For some children, grounding comes through rhythm and motion. Rocking, pacing, dancing, spinning - their bodies move to regulate.
💎 Level 2: The Holder - Others find safety through touch. A smooth stone, a soft toy, something that holds to say "I'm safe here."
🎨 Level 3: The Creator - Some children find calm through creative flow. Painting, music, building — ways to express what words can’t always hold.

At Dragonfly North East, we understand that grounding isn't about fitting a mould - it's about honouring who they are 💚

When we meet children with patience, curiousity, and respect, we help them build the tools they need to feel safe, seen and truly grounded. Because in this quest - there is no leaderboard, no competition and no "perfect" way to play.

Just unique players, each finding their own way home to calm.

🌟 Mission Complete: Understanding Every Nervous System.
🩵 Level up in compassion. Unlock connection.

05/11/2025

✨ Safety isn’t stillness — it’s connection. ✨

On this November 5th, as fireworks light up the sky for Guy Fawkes Night, it's important to remember that safety can feel very different for every child.

For some, the loud noises and bright flashes might feel overwhelming rather than exciting. At Dragonfly North East, we understand that feeling safe doesn't always mean sitting still or being silent.

Safety is found in connection with their bodies, with trusted people, and with the world around them. It might be the steady rhythm of movement, a comforting touch, or simply knowing someone is there who truly understands.

It could be the calm of a cosy corner, or the grounding peace of nature, far from the noise. Because safety isn't about stillness or silence - it's about feeling seen, heard, and held.

As the fireworks sparkle outside, we hold space for every child's unique way of finding peace and connection - knowing this is the true foundation for well-being. 💛

Safety isn't stillness - it's the living, breathing connection that holds us steady, no matter what's happening around us.

03/11/2025

🌿 What grounds us? At Dragonfly North East, we know grounding looks different for every kid - and that is totally okay.

Some children find calm by sitting still, while others need to move or feel something soft to feel safe and present. Grounding isn't one thing for everyone - it's all about what works for them.

Here are five easy, gentle grounding tools we use:
1) 🧸 Weighted blankets or lap pads — cosy and comforting,
2) ✋ Fidget toys — something to hold or squeeze when the mind's busy,
3) 🎧 Headphones with calming sounds — like nature or soft music,
4) 🚶‍♂️ Rocking, swaying, or slow walking — gentle movement to help settle
5) 🍃 Connecting with nature — holding colourful autumn leaves, feeling crunchy grass under bare feet, or watching clouds drift on crisp autumn days.

Which one would your child like? Every child is different - and that's what makes it all work.

31/10/2025

The pumpkins are out, the costumes are creeping in, and the world is getting louder, brighter and buzzier by the day. But for many neurodivergent children, Halloween isn't always a treat. It can feel more like a storm: itchy costumes, unexpected noises, flashing lights, changes in routine, and a constant stream of sensory input that can tip an already full nervous system into overload.

At Dragonfly North East, we know that traditional celebrations don't always feel safe and when a child doesn't feels safe, it's not fun, no matter how well-meaning the plan is. So this Halloween, we're choosing something different:
✨ We are choosing slow magic over sensory mayhem
✨ We're choosing child-led joy over social expectations
✨ We're choosing connection over convention.

Sensory-friendly celebrations aren't "less than." They're thoughtful, protective and rooted in understanding your child's unique needs and ensuring joy doesn't come at the cost of safety.

So light a candle. Carve a pumpkin. Tell spooky stories. Please create your own traditions or skip them altogether. That, too, is a celebration because the most magical thing you can do for your child this Halloween is to honour the way they experience the world. 🕯️🎃

Let them lead. Let it be quiet. Let it be theirs.

29/10/2025

Every child is different. Their needs, pace, story - none of it fits neatly into a one-size-fits-all box. That's why, at Dragonfly North East, our 1:1 sessions are completely bespoke tailored to meet each child exactly where they are and walk alongside them at a pace that feels safe. These sessions aren't led by a diagnosis or ticking boxes.

They are led by relationship, curiousity, and compassion. We take the time to understand what matters most to your child: what soothes them, what sparks their interest, what overwhelms them, and what helps them feel in control. Some children need space to express big feelings through creativity.

Others need grounding before they can even begin to talk, and some just need someone to show up to remind them they don't have to carry things alone. There's no "right way" to begin. It is the right place to begin for your child. Whether we're working through anxiety, dysregulation, trauma, or just offering a safe space to connect, we build each session with purpose and flexibility—always centred around your child's needs.

Let's build a plan that works for them. One that honours who they are, not just what they struggle with. 🧡 If you think your child might benefit from this support, reach out. We'd love to hold space for your family. Let's build a plan just for your child.

27/10/2025

Parenting a child who has experienced trauma can feel overwhelming, confusing, and exhausting. It's easy to feel you need the perfect strategy or immediate solution, but healing and connection don't come from quick fixes - they grow from small, consistent moments of understanding and care.

This week, we are sharing three trauma-informed parenting tips to help you build safety, trust, and emotional connection with your child:

1) Pause and breathe before responding. Your calm and steady presence is one of your most powerful tools. When you take a moment to ground yourself, you create a safe space for your child to regulate their emotions as well.

2) Validate your child's feelings. Instead of trying to dismiss difficult emotions, acknowledge them with kindness. Saying something like, "I see you're feeling upset, and that's okay," helps your child feel heard and supported, even when they can't express their feelings.

3) Offer choices whenever you can. Simple decisions can give your child a sense of control, helping to ease anxiety and build confidence.

These tips aren't about perfection. They're about connection because children can grow, heal, and thrive when they feel safe and understood. Which of these tips will you try this week?

We'd love to hear from you - drop a comment below or send us a message. Remember, you're not alone on this journey. We're here to walk alongside you. 💛

24/10/2025

Sometimes the loudest feelings live in the quietest moments - when words just aren't enough.

At Dragonfly North East, we recognise that children express their inner world in many ways beyond verbal communication. They communicate what feels too big or complex to say aloud through colour, movement, music and storytelling.

Parenting through a trauma lens means learning to listen differently - to notice the feelings behind the behaviour and the needs beneath the reaction. It's about creating safe, gentle spaces where children feel seen, understood, and accepted without pressure.

This week, we invite you to slow down and explore new ways to connect with your child - not through fixing or talking more, but through creativity, play, presence and compassion. Healing begins when children can express themselves in their unique language.

When we meet them where they are, with patience and kindness, we open the door to trust, growth, and hope.

You're not alone, and every step you take matters. We're here to walk with you.

22/10/2025

Parenting is hard. Parenting a child who is dysregulated, anxious, sensitive, or carrying trauma? That can feel not easy in our world at the moment.

At Dragonfly North East, we work with many parents who say the same thing: "I just don't know what else to do." That's where Trauma-Informed Parent Coaching comes in. This isn't about giving you a script or a set of rigid strategies. It's about walking beside you as you navigate the complexity of parenting a child who needs more time, safety, and understanding.

Our coaching provides a space for you to pause, reflect, and be heard without judgment. We help you understand what's really going on beneath the surface of your child's behaviour and how to respond with connection, not correction.

Together, we'll explore how trauma affects the nervous system, why traditional parenting tools may not work for your child, and how you can feel more grounded, confident and supported. Because when you feel regulated, resourced, and held - so does your child. 🧡

You don't have to do this alone. We're here. DM us to learn more about how our coaching can support your family.

20/10/2025

Co-Regulation versus Self-Regulation

There's a lot of pressure on children to "self-regulate" to manage their emotions, calm themselves down, and bounce back quickly when things get hard. But what we don't talk about enough is that self-regulation doesn't develop in isolation.

It grows from co-regulation - again and again and again. For children to regulate independently, they first need to experience what it feels like to be regulated by someone. They are not left alone in their overwhelm. They are not sent away to "calm down", but supported with presence, patience and safety.

Co-regulation is the quiet work of being that safe anchor in the storm. It's sitting beside a struggling child and saying, "I'm here, I've got you." Not to stop the feelings but to help them move through. Over time, this gentle support - this modelling of calm, attuned care - becomes something the child can begin to internalise.

That's where self-regulation starts to take shape. Not as a demand, but as a skill they've learned through the relationship. Parenting through a trauma lens means we stop asking, "Why are they acting like this?" and start asking, "What do they need from me right now to feel safe?"

Because when a child feels safe, connection becomes possible, and when connection is possible, so is growth.

Dragonfly Wellbeing

14/11/2025

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