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Parental Psychology, Whitstable (2025)

04/12/2025

You can miss your old life and still love your baby. 💛

So many parents sheepishly tell me they miss their pre-baby life and then immediately feel guilty for saying it. As if missing the freedom, sleep, or spontaneity means they don’t love their baby enough.
But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

There’s a concept I always keep in mind: maternal ambivalence, this is the idea that it’s completely normal to hold mixed feelings about motherhood. You can feel deep love and joy and also long for parts of your old self. Both can exist at the same time. And that’s ok.
So next time those feelings creep in, remind yourself: it’s okay to miss your old life. It doesn’t make you a bad parent, it makes you human. Being honest about these emotions is actually a sign of strength and self-awareness. 💫

02/12/2025

We understand that parenting is one of life’s most profound and complex journeys. Our mission is to provide a safe, non-judgmental space where you feel heard, supported, and empowered. Through evidence-based therapy and empathetic guidance, we help you overcome emotional hurdles, strengthen family bonds, and cultivate confidence in your parenting, so you and your children can thrive.

01/12/2025

Entering the parenting arena reminded me a bit of being back at school. Suddenly, you’re surrounded by people from all walks of life and it take some time to find out who you click with.

As adults, we usually become quite selective about who we spend time with- people who share our interests, values, or sense of humour. But when you become a parent, you’re thrown into groups, classes, and playground chats with total strangers, all trying to figure it out too.

I’ve been lucky to find some incredible parent friends who get me and where I am in my life. Being surrounded by people who share your parenting values, who you can be blatantly honest with, is so incredibly validating.

I feel genuinely grateful to be surrounded by thoughtful parents who support me just as much as I support them, and who I now proudly call friends. 💛

So don’t be afraid to be vulnerable with people who are in the same life stage as you. You might be surprised by how much other parents get it and won’t judge. That’s your village. 🤍

✨ Who are the people in your village- the ones who make you feel seen and supported? Tag them below or share what helped you find your people.

28/11/2025

Let’s Talk Sensory Overload

It’s not something I thought really applied to me before I became a parent… but here we are.

The kids are crying and asking 100 questions while you’re trying to cook dinner (because you know you’re all hangry). You’re just about holding it together - and then the dog barks… and it completely tips you over the edge. Sound familiar? 🐶🥴

That moment isn’t a sign you’re failing, it’s often a sign your nervous system is overloaded. Parenthood can be incredibly noisy, busy, and full of sensory demands - and our brains and bodies sometimes need help to reset.

Here are a few simple ways to manage sensory overload when it hits:

💛 Pause and breathe: Step away, even for 30 seconds. A few slow breaths can help signal safety to your nervous system.
💧 Reduce stimulation: Turn down lights, lower background noise, or step into a quieter space.
🧘 Ground yourself: Feel your feet on the floor, notice five things you can see, four you can touch… bring yourself back to the present.
💬 Name it: Saying “I’m feeling really overstimulated right now” helps you and those around you understand what’s happening.
🤍 Replenish: When you can, take small moments of rest and calm: a warm drink, fresh air, or silence to refill your tank.

You’re not alone in this. Modern parenthood can overwhelm even the calmest nervous system. Be gentle with yourself, it’s hard because it’s hard, not because you’re doing anything wrong.

26/11/2025

Just finished working with this lovely new mum 🤍 I feel so privileged to support mothers during such a tender and pivotal time in their lives.

✨ Client words ✨

“I had such a comfortable and relaxed experience where I felt truly safe to share exactly how I felt. April was calm, relatable, and someone I could really open up to - even when I struggled to find the right words for my thoughts and feelings.

I always left our sessions feeling lighter and more confident in myself and my decisions as a parent, which meant so much as a first-time mother. I really valued April’s warm and reassuring approach to any issues I brought up.”

Supporting mums as they navigate the beautiful, messy, and transformative journey into parenthood will always be one of the greatest honours.

24/11/2025

✨ Why I became a clinical psychologist

I’m a Clinical Psychologist and mum of two specialising in parental mental health. I’m often asked why I went into this career and if it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. To be honest I’m still answering this myself as there lots of influences in my life that has led me here. I’ve always wondered about the big question: what shapes who we are and who we become?

I’ve always been fascinated by child development, attachment, and how culture, religion, biology, and genetics interact with each other to influence us. The thing I’ve discovered? There’s no single answer, I believe it’s always a complex, dynamic mix, and I’m still learning every day.

What has struck me most, both professionally and personally, is just how momentous becoming a parent is. Even with years of experience working with parents, my own journey into parenthood surprised me, challenged me, and continues to rock me in ways I never expected.

That’s why I’m passionate about helping parents build self-awareness, confidence, and their self-esteem by understanding their own story. And just as importantly, I believe no one should navigate this journey alone, I believe community in the parenting world matters deeply.

This space is here for you: to feel seen, supported, and reminded that you don’t have to have it all figured out alone.

21/11/2025

And honestly, who doesn’t have an emotional reaction to their child’s meltdowns? We’re biologically wired to respond (it’s called attachment) so we keep our kids safe. Amazing… but also exhausting.

Here are 4 ways to cope when you feel reactive:

🔹 Notice your triggers – what situations set you off most?
🔹 Track your reactivity – is there a time of day you always snap? (hello, afternoon slump 👋).
🔹 Plan ahead – snacks, routines, tiny tweaks can make life easier.
🔹 Pause – remind yourself: this isn’t an emergency. Shake it off, breathe, hum… then respond calmly.

It’s not about perfection, it’s about pausing, practicing, and remembering: your child is doing their best, and they need your help. 💛

19/11/2025

Feeling snappy, guilty, and exhausted?

You’re definitely not alone - parenting can bring out every emotion under the sun (sometimes all before breakfast ☀️).

That’s why I created my free Survival Guide for Parents - a simple, practical resource to help you pause, reset, and respond with more calm and compassion.

✨ Because you deserve support too.
Download your free guide today - link in bio. 🌿

17/11/2025

We’ve all heard it (and maybe said it): “Use your words.”

It’s well-intentioned, we want children to communicate rather than scream and act out.

But here’s the thing… it’s not always a very fair or helpful thing to say.

💡 Sometimes children don’t yet have the words to describe their internal emotional world (this takes a long time to develop)
If they’re overwhelmed, scared, tired, or very young, their brain might be in “survival mode”, language just isn’t accessible in that moment.

“Use your words” can add pressure to the child in what is already a difficult moment for them.

💡 What to try instead:

Name what you see: “It looks like you’re feeling frustrated.”

Offer choices: “Do you need help, or a hug?”

Use your own words first, so they can learn from you.

🌱 The goal isn’t just to “use words”, it’s to help children feel understood and build the skills to express themselves over time.
Because before they can “use their words”… they need to find them. 💬💛

14/11/2025

💭 How do you want your children to remember their childhood… and you?

When I ask parents this, I often hear:
❤️ “I want them to be happy.”
🤗 “I want them to see me as a calm, fun parent.”

And honestly, I feel the same.
Of course as parents we want this.

But let’s be real…
That’s a lot of pressure to put on yourself.

Because no one is always calm and always happy.
No one gets it right all the time.
No one can be 100% emotionally available 24/7

So what if we aimed for something more human and compassionate?

Maybe they might say something like:
“They lost her sh*t sometimes…
But they always said sorry.”

“It was hard for them, managing work and life and us,
But they always did their best for us.”

Children don’t want perfect parents, they want real ones.
Let’s take the pressure off. ❤️
Remember, be kind to yourself, you’re doing your best.

07/11/2025

Becoming a parent changes everything - your body, your relationships and your sense of self.

My Parental Psychology Workshop is designed to help you understand those changes, manage your emotions and build confidence as you approach parenthood.

🌿 Across three gentle, supportive sessions, you’ll explore:

What’s normal emotionally during pregnancy and the early days

How to manage guilt, worry and social pressures

How to nurture yourself while bonding with your baby

Ways to set healthy boundaries and protect your wellbeing

This isn’t another class about labour positions or nappies - it’s a space to reflect, connect and prepare emotionally for what’s ahead.

🪷 Online workshop series: 12th, 19th, and 26th November
👶 Suitable for expectant parents at any stage of pregnancy

💛 Reserve your place and prepare not just for birth - but for life as a parent.
http://subscribepage.io/parentalpsychology-workshop

05/11/2025

Becoming a parent is one of life’s biggest emotional transitions - yet it’s one we rarely prepare for.

You might feel excited and grateful one moment, and anxious or overwhelmed the next. You might question who you are, what you need, or whether you’re doing “enough.” These feelings are normal - they’re part of the psychological process of becoming a parent, often called matrescence.

In my Parental Psychology Workshop, we’ll talk about this emotional transformation openly and honestly. You’ll gain practical strategies for protecting your mental wellbeing, managing self-doubt and creating realistic expectations as you prepare for life with your baby.

🌿 You’ll leave feeling informed, grounded and supported - ready to meet your baby with confidence and self-compassion.

✨ Online workshop series on the 12th, 19th, and 26th November.
Reserve your place and take this time to prepare for you - http://subscribepage.io/parentalpsychology-workshop

Parental Psychology

04/12/2025

02/12/2025

01/12/2025

28/11/2025

26/11/2025

24/11/2025

21/11/2025

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17/11/2025

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07/11/2025

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