*Trigger warning* 

I have lost two family members to suicide. I have over the years worked with children who have been suicidal. I have had friends who have told me they have been suicidal and I have lost friends to suicide. I have heard of friends who have lost family members to suicide and I have had clients who have lost parents to suicide. I have supported a teen client when he was suicidal and on top of a building ready to jump. (Read the chapter on "No building tall enough" in my book Secret Parent for the full story on this teen.)

Yes, sadly I have been faced with lots of suicide in my life AND I myself have been suicidal....

Perhaps you have been suicidal to?

I know what it is like and at the time, the feelings are real, dark and intense. I don't see myself as a weak person but there have been times in my life that I have felt hopeless.  That is why every year on World Suicide Prevention Day, 10 September, I find solace in knowing that despite losing so many valuable souls ...

I often get asked by novice coaches and students who do their Kids Life Coach Certification with me: "What is the biggest mistake you can make as a Kids Life Coach"

My answer always goes something like along the lines of...

"Imagine a world where every child's dream is nurtured into a possibility, where the sky's the limit, and encouragement fuels their journey. As a Kids Life Coach, you play a pivotal role in this magical process. Yet, even with the best efforts to inspire and motivate, there is a small pitfall that can stop a child from reaching their full potential."

Then they ask me what I mean and I start throwing two pertinent questions back at them.

Question 1:  "What is your dream?"

The answers range from building an orphanage to having a thriving coaching practice to doing what I love to earn an income so that my family can have better opportunities. In all my years of asking this questions, I have found that no two dreams are the same. Sometimes the dreams are small and...

Children's perceptions of challenges can vary widely based on their developmental stage, personality, and past experiences. A a Kids Life Coach, acknowledging and validating these feelings is the cornerstone of the effective support you provide. Whether facing academic difficulties, social conflicts, or transitions such as moving to a new school, each challenge presents a unique learning opportunity. 

Having coached children for well over two decades, I have come to learn a lot about what excites them, how they think and why they behave in certain ways for different reasons. One of the super powers you will need to master as a Kids Life Coach is seeing the world through a child's eyes. Doing this will get the results you need quicker than you would if you keep your "adult problem solving hat" on. 

Children are beyond wise and when we look and see what others don't see and we listen and hear what other's don't hear, we are on our path to coaching a child towards being the leader of th...

In celebration of International Youth Day 2024, coming up on Monday, 12 August we're turning the spotlight to a topic close to our hearts at Kids Life Studio® and linked very closely to our mission: nurturing responsible and empowered digital citizens from a young age.

As we navigate an increasingly digital world, the role of technology in our children's lives has never been more significant. It's our collective responsibility as a global collective of Kids Life Coaches to guide them in becoming savvy, safe, and ethical users of digital spaces. This extends not only to the children we coach, but also to the parents who seem to feel overwhelmed and perhaps a little clueless as to the best pathway to navigating the potential toxic impacts of their children engaging in an online world. 

Creating empowered digital citizens is not only about coaching children about how to manage their technology time, but it is also about looking at the ethics behind mindful online consumption. Let's face...

Treading water can make you fit, but it can also leave you feeing exhausted and building resilience in yourself is important as a Kids Life Coach so that you can stay on top of your game to support children to do the same.  

Life, is like a vast and endless ocean and at times it presents a series of currents and waves that children must learn to navigate. This means learning to tread water in these varying conditions becomes crucial for child development and wellbeing. At Kids Life Studio®, we champion the use of Play Based Coaching® as a lifeline, helping children to not just stay afloat but to swim confidently through the waters of life.

Just like treading water is a fundamental skill for swimming, play is the foundational element through which children engage with and make sense of the world around them. It is through the joy and freedom of play that children learn to express themselves, confront challenges, and interact with others. Play Based Coaching® taps into this innate mode...

Mistakes, often cloaked in the guise of failure, are in reality the stepping stones to growth and learning for individuals of all ages. In the realm of Kids Life Coaching, understanding and leveraging these moments of error can significantly enhance the developmental journey of young coachees. 

First and foremost, it's crucial to acknowledge that making mistakes is a universal experience. No one, regardless of age, expertise, or stature, is immune to error. This shared human experience provides a rich foundation for empathy and understanding in the coaching relationship. By recognizing our own vulnerabilities to error, you can foster a more authentic and supportive environment for coachees to explore their own growth.  Kids Life Coaches should model how to handle mistakes gracefully. By sharing your own experiences with errors and your lessons learned, you can demonstrate that mistakes are not only acceptable but are expected and valuable parts of the learning process.

The core of tr...

In the world of kids' life coaching, where we navigate the delicate balance of guiding young minds through their formative years, the concept of gratitude stands out as a beacon of positivity and resilience. It's not merely about teaching our coachees to be thankful; it's about instilling in them the practice of showing thankfulness. This subtle shift from feeling to action can have profound effects on their development and overall well-being. Let's dive into how we, as kids' life coaches, can harness the power of gratitude, making it our ally in nurturing more resilient and positive young individuals.

Before we explore the tools and resources to celebrate gratitude, it's essential to understand the science behind it. Research in positive psychology has consistently shown that gratitude is strongly associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships. Fo...

In the bustling world of business and start ups, where the latest strategies and complex methodologies often take the spotlight, it's easy to get caught up in the pursuit of the next big thing for marketing yourself as a Kids Life Coach. However, what if the secret to propelling your Kids Life Coaching business forward was simpler than learning your ABCs? Let's strip away the complexities and return to the FUNdamentals,exploring what truly matters in building and growing a successful coaching practice.

Click to enrol in our FUNdamentals of Kids Life Coaching

At the heart of every Kids Life Coaching business is the connection between coach and client. Unlike adult coaching, the client is actually the child although the parent is paying. This means that you need to develop a unique triangulation of support with the whole family.  This profound relationship is the foundation upon which transformation occurs. It's not about employing the fanciest techniques; it's about genuinely understa...

The journey of a Kids Life Coach is as rewarding as it can be challenging. Whether you're navigating this path as a full-time calling or a part-time venture, the impact you make on young lives is profound. However, the leap from part-time passion to full-time practice can seem daunting. For many, this hesitation isn't about the lack of desire but rather the presence of invisible barriers that make their dreams feel just out of reach. If you are reding this...it is time to dream a little—or rather, a lot—and dismantle those blocks one by one. 

It is important to first identify what those blocks may be. What's holding you back? Is it fear of failure, financial insecurity, or perhaps the daunting task of scaling your business? Identifying your blocks is the first step towards overcoming them. Write them down, understand their roots, and acknowledge their presence. Only then can you begin to dismantle them. Remember you don't have to do this alone. No one achieves greatness in isolation. ...