Les Roberts Hypnotherapy & NLP

Les Roberts Hypnotherapy & NLP Author of Nomie’s Big Book of Feelings, Award winning Wellbeing & Mental Health Therapist, specialising in working with children & families

I’ve had a tremendous response for this so I’m closing any further emails this Sunday 7th. I can then pick the worthy wi...
05/12/2025

I’ve had a tremendous response for this so I’m closing any further emails this Sunday 7th. I can then pick the worthy winners.
Again, huge gratitude to St Helens Star for helping

A CHILDREN'S author is giving away free copies of her latest book to young readers.

Week 3 Little Mind Masters Weekly Wellbeing: Why Behaviour Is CommunicationIf only children came with a little sign abov...
05/12/2025

Week 3 Little Mind Masters Weekly Wellbeing: Why Behaviour Is Communication

If only children came with a little sign above their heads saying what they really needed…
“I’m overwhelmed.”
“I’m scared.”
“I don’t know how to say what I feel.”
But they don’t, so, they communicate through something far more honest:
their behaviour.
Behaviour is the language children speak before their words catch up.
Children rarely have the vocab, emotional awareness or confidence to explain what’s going on inside them. So, their behaviour becomes the message.
Often, the louder the behaviour, the louder the message underneath.
Here’s what behaviour might be saying:
• “I’m not ignoring you… I’m overwhelmed.”
• “I’m not being rude… I don’t know how to express this feeling.”
• “I’m not being silly… I’m anxious.”
• “I’m not being naughty… I feel out of control inside.”
• “I’m not daydreaming… my brain needs a break.”

Once we shift from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What are you trying to tell me?”, everything changes.
Here are some common examples parents see every day:
1. Shutting down or going quiet
Often means: “This is too much for me.”
Children withdraw when they feel unsure, scared or overstimulated.

2. Anger, shouting or defiance
Often means: “I don’t feel safe or understood.”
Anger is nearly always a protective emotion hiding something softer.

3. Clinginess or needing you constantly
Often means: “I need connection & reassurance.”

4. Silliness, hyperactivity, or “winding up”
Often means: “I have too much energy or emotion inside & don’t know what to do with it.”

5. Not listening or refusing tasks
Often means: “My brain is overloaded, tired, or anxious.”
Your child isn’t giving you a hard time, THEY’RE having a hard time

When we respond with curiosity rather than frustration, our children feel:
• safer
• calmer
• seen
• connected
• understood
When children feel understood, their behaviour softens almost instantly.
Give this simple phrase a go:
Next time a behaviour pops up, pause & gently ask:
“What’s this behaviour telling me?”
This small shift transforms your response from reactive to supportive & teaches your child that their feelings matter, even when they show up in messy ways.
You’re not alone. Understanding behaviour takes patience & practice. You’re doing an amazing job simply by wanting to learn more.
If your child struggles with big feelings, tricky behaviour or emotional overwhelm, my Little Mind Masters sessions help them build the tools, confidence & calm they need to navigate life with more ease.
Here’s to understanding our little people a little more each week.
Les x

Nomie popped in to say… Happy Friday!He’s reminding all little ones (& grown-ups too):It’s okay to have BIG feelingsTalk...
05/12/2025

Nomie popped in to say…
Happy Friday!
He’s reminding all little ones (& grown-ups too):

It’s okay to have BIG feelings
Talking about them helps
Weekends are perfect for rest, play & resetting

Have a magical Friday from me & Nomie at Little Mind Masters!

Christmas Party Season. Does Your Child Find It Exciting or Overwhelming? For many children, this time of year brings ma...
04/12/2025

Christmas Party Season.
Does Your Child Find It Exciting or Overwhelming?

For many children, this time of year brings magic, fun & plenty of sparkle.
But for some, Christmas parties can feel a bit too much. They can feel too noisy, too busy, too many people & too many expectations. I know only too well how difficult this situation can be & how overwhelm can far too much for a little one to take.

If your child finds parties tricky, you’re absolutely not alone. Here are a few gentle ways to help them feel more settled & confident:

1. Plan the small things
Talk them through what to expect, explain where you’re going, who’ll be there & what might happen. Predictability helps children feel safe.

2. Give them a “safe space”
Let them know where to find you or give them a little comfort item in their pocket. These tiny anchors make a big difference to them.

3. Practise a calm-down trick together
A slow breath in & a longer breath out.

4. Take breaks
It’s okay for children to step outside for a break, find a quiet corner or even take a few minutes to reset. No child needs to stay in the ‘noise’ the whole time.

5. Celebrate those small wins
Whether they stayed for 10 minutes or the whole party, praise them for their effort, not the outcome. This helps to build emotional resilience.

Christmas should feel joyful, not overwhelming.
With a little preparation & lots of reassurance, children can enjoy the magic in a way that feels right for them.

I'm running a free webinar this evening 7.00pm - 8.00pm on children, anxieties & behaviours surrounding school avoidance...
02/12/2025

I'm running a free webinar this evening 7.00pm - 8.00pm on children, anxieties & behaviours surrounding school avoidance.
Anxieties & school avoidance often stem from overwhelming feelings that a child doesn’t yet have the skills to manage. This might include worries about friendships, academic pressure, separation from parents, sensory overload or past negative experiences at school. When these feelings build up, school can start to feel unsafe or too hard to face, leading to tummy aches, tears or even refusal to attend.
Understanding that avoidance is a coping strategy, not defiance helps parents & professionals respond with empathy. With the right support, emotional regulation tools, gentle reassurance & consistent routines, children can rebuild their confidence, feel more secure & begin to enjoy school again.

Interested in attending this event?
Here's the link to book:

Is your child struggling with anxieties? Are they avoiding school?

01/12/2025
If you’re a parent, you’ve probably asked yourself at least one of these:“Is this just a phase?”“Is my child worrying to...
01/12/2025

If you’re a parent, you’ve probably asked yourself at least one of these:

“Is this just a phase?”
“Is my child worrying too much?”
“Why are the meltdowns getting bigger?”
“Are they coping, or masking?”
“Do they even know how to explain what they’re feeling?”

The truth is, children’s mental health has never been more important.
As being a huge advocate of early intervention, the earlier we help them understand their emotions, the stronger & more resilient they become.

I often ask parents of my little clients,
what is the biggest emotional struggle your child (or children you support) is facing right now?

No judgement. I’m not here to judge parenting skills, I’m here to help children understand how to manage emotions & feelings.

👉
29/11/2025

👉

A CHILDREN'S author is giving away free copies of her latest book to young readers.

Week 2 Little Mind Masters Weekly Wellbeing:The Emotional Volcano: Spotting the Signs Before a MeltdownEvery parent know...
28/11/2025

Week 2 Little Mind Masters Weekly Wellbeing:
The Emotional Volcano: Spotting the Signs Before a Meltdown

Every parent knows that moment. Your child is absolutely fine one minute & the next, they’re in full emotional eruption mode. Tears, shouting, shutting down, refusing to listen & you’re left wondering, “How did we get here?”
The truth is meltdowns rarely come out of nowhere.
Children give us little clues long before the explosion. We just haven’t always been shown what to look for.
Think of it like this... Emotions build up like layers
Imagine your child like a volcano. Under the surface, feelings start to bubble. It could be one or a few of the following: frustration, overwhelm, worry, tiredness, sensory overload, hunger, confusion
When those layers stack up without an outlet, the pressure builds & eventually, boom!!

Early signs to look out for:
Most children show tiny shifts before the meltdown. These can be subtle, but once you know them, you’ll start spotting them easily. Eg: becoming unusually quiet or withdrawn, fidgety, restless or clingy, snapping over small things, rushing around, being silly, struggling to follow simple instructions, increased sensitivity to sound or touch.

Your child isn’t being difficult, they’re overwhelmed & their nervous system is asking for help.
How to cool the volcano
When you notice these early signs, gentle interception works wonders.

1. Pause & Connect
A calm tone & simple statement:
“It looks like things are feeling a bit big right now. I’m here with you.”

2. Offer Choice
Children feel out of control in these moments, so choices help them feel safe:
“Do you want a minute on your own, or a cuddle?”

3. Movement Reset
Movement releases emotional pressure quickly:
Slow walking, stretching, star jumps, shake-out dance

4. Colour Breathing (yes, it works perfectly!)
“Breathe in your calm colour… breathe out your busy colour.”

You’re not supposed to get it perfect. All children have meltdowns. All children feel overwhelmed. All parents get caught off guard sometimes. By spotting the early signs & stepping in gently, you can prevent many eruptions & help your child learn the skills to cool themselves down in the future.

If your child struggles with big emotions, emotional overload or frequent meltdowns, my Little Mind Masters sessions gently teach them how to calm their minds & understand their feelings with confidence.
Here’s to calmer days & fewer volcano moments.
Les x

Kids really do say the most unusual things. Yesterday, I was chatting online to a client, (an 8 year-old) & he told me:“...
28/11/2025

Kids really do say the most unusual things.
Yesterday, I was chatting online to a client, (an 8 year-old) & he told me:

“My feelings are like my dog. Sometimes they listen & sometimes they run around the house doing whatever they want.”

What a brilliant way for him to describe how his feelings work!

Children are so naturally wise. They’ll drop random things on you, like asking if dogs have tummy buttons! Yes, he asked me that too! I think we’re going to have fun in our sessions!

When we give children the space to talk about feelings, they often explain them better than most adults.

So today, celebrate the funny, honest, unpredictable way children understand the world.
And if your little one is currently having a BIG feeling because their banana is too curved or their apple is too juicy, just remember, that’s emotional development in many different ways.

Helping children navigate those moments is how they become confident, emotionally strong little humans.

What’s the funniest or wisest thing your child has ever said about their feelings?
Share it below. It’s Friday & I could do with a giggle today!

Address

Centre Of Hypnotherapy & Wellbeing, 1st Floor, 27 Hardshaw Street
Saint Helens
WA101RW

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 8pm
Tuesday 10am - 8pm
Wednesday 10am - 8pm
Thursday 10am - 8pm
Friday 10am - 8pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm

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