We have a few spaces by the waterside at Gloucester Docks.

When: This Half Term - 28th May 10:00

Aimed at families with primary-aged children but everyone is welcome. Designed to help children and grown-ups step away from screens, slow down, connect with each other and spend quality time together by the waterside.

Learn some of our award-winning Happy Confident Kids tools, like mindful breathing, how to be in the present moment and time for boat making and crafts too.

You’ll leave with smiles, happy memories and skills that will help grown-ups and children find calm and confidence this summer.

BOOK HERE

If you can’t join us you can also do our Gloucester Docks family wellbeing trail via this link: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/.../families/lets-go-outdoors

Events are funded by Sport England in partnership with Canal & River Trust | Canal & River Trust - Explorers

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With half-term just around the corner, we wanted to do a quick catch-up! There are so many fantastic, FREE activities happening over the break to help families get outside and connect with nature.

Here is a quick round-up of what’s going on, plus some resources to help you look after your wellbeing this week.

🌿 New Canal & River Trust Wellbeing Trails

We talk about our trails a lot, as we think they are amazing and they are available all across the UK! Here are three highlights to check out:

• Foxton Locks (Leicestershire): Absolutely stunning (one of my favourites) and a perfect FREE day trip for the kids. The power of the water there is incredible to witness.

• Birmingham City Centre: Right in the heart of the city, you can step onto the canal and feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere within two minutes. It’s a peaceful escape while you’re out and about.

• Walsall: Starting right from the Walsall Art Centre, this new trail is a must-visit. We recently had an upper-sixth student join us for work experience, and she couldn’t believe how quickly the trail helped shift her mindset into a more positive space.

How to get your maps: You can download the maps online, or pick up a physical copy from staff at the locations. If you are a local school and would like physical copies for your students, let us know. We can request them from the Canal & River Trust while funding is available.

Meet Our Guest Coach & Upcoming Events

We are so lucky to have a guest post today from Coach Rosie, who is based in Carshalton. She is a Kids Confidence Coach and NLP Master Practitioner:

Coach Rosie is running some wellbeing family events in her area and we also have three FREE Canal & River Trust events over the half term week - find out more here.

Navigating the Half-Term Mental Load

While school holidays are lovely, we know they can also feel a bit intense and overwhelming. To help you navigate the week, we’ve written a couple of posts with practical and accessible advice and tips to thrive:

We love hearing from you. Please let us know if you have any questions or feedback.

Miranda and Laura.

PS We have also been making some exciting progress with our NEW Maths Confidence Programme, you can read more in this post and also we share an amazing tool for learning timetables…

NLP the science bit: Neuro-Linguistic Programming, a powerful tool that helps children understand how their thoughts and language shape their behaviour, allowing them to flip negative self-talk into unstoppable resilience.

On top of all that, she is also one of our amazing In the Wild Leaders, bringing her brilliant energy to our community. We are so lucky to have her sharing her experience with us today. Take it away, Rosie!

“I have been a coach with Happy Confident Kids since November 2021. Which sounds like a longer time than it feels like.

I was drawn to Happy Confident Kids by the enthusiasm of the team and the creative, fun & engaging ways that Happy Confident Kids use NLP, hypnotherapy and life coaching to engage children and get them happy again.

Over the years I have learnt more and more about our bodies and the stress response, and how important it is for us to let ourselves know that we are safe, we will be OK and we can be calm, and I have loved teaching children how they can do this for themselves! They don’t need to fully understand the science, what they need is fun tools and skills to get them to feeling how they want to feel, and that is what we can give them.

A few years ago I trained to be an “In The Wild” coach, this means that I can deliver outdoor well-being workshops to children within schools or families. These sessions are really lovely, helping people connect with themselves, with others around them and with nature. I was shocked to learn the figure that UK children spend less time outside than prisoners and I am grateful to be able to share the importance of being outside with children and their families.

I am running a family In The Wild workshop in my local earlier on 7 June and I am excited to create the space and time for local families to have some fun, connect with nature and step into a positive and calm mindset ready for the Summer.

Another great thing about being a Coach for Happy Confident Kids is the support and community that we get. We have regular calls with Miranda and Laura and they are always on hand for ad-hoc support, whether that is emotional or practical! And of course through the Happy Confident Kids website, we get client referrals and benefit from all the marketing work that Miranda and Laura do!

I am able to manage my diary and workload, prioritise the type of work that I enjoy and bring about change and happiness to children and their families.

Thanks - Coach Rosie”

Ah thanks Coach Rosie, we love working with you too. If you’d like to know more about joining our coaching community come say hello@happyconfidentkids.com

Having confidence that you “can do maths” is really empowering for kids, and then they will take that with them for the rest of their lives. It’s often around year four, you see kids, lots of girls especially, lose confidence in maths. One of the reasons for that if a child misses a concept in Year 2 or 3 (like place value or fractions), the Year 4 curriculum feels like trying to build a house on sand. Without intervention, they fall off the ladder and the other is it’s at this age they start getting timed tests.

The Gender Gap: Studies show that while boys and girls perform similarly in early primary maths, a "maths anxiety" gender gap emerges around ages 8 to 9 (Year 4). Girls are statistically more likely to report feeling "not good at maths," often driven by a societal stereotype that maths is a "boy subject" or from absorbing anxiety from adults around them.

I’ve seen this with my own daughter, who’s a little older now, but at the time, that is when everything kind of started to go downhill for her in terms of maths. It wasn’t until we did some intervention, at home, that we started to see progress for her and we want to give that kind of intervention to all kids that need it.

What I wanted to share was something really cool that me and my kids did last night. Yesterday we were working through our NEW maths program, talking about timetables and I was questioning about how how do we get kids to tackle times tables in a positive way, that works, because knowing them can really help, as it just makes everything faster.

We talked about this really simple technique and I just wanted to share it with you because I did it last night with my kids and it was amazing.

You can do it on a piece of paper, but to make it fun we did it while we were in the bath on the shower door…

• Pick a timetables e.g 7

• Work together to write it down e.g

  • 1x7 = 7

  • 2x7=14 etc

• Then say out loud together 7,14,21…84

• and then backwards 84,77,70…7

• Then talk about which ones you are happy with and rub / cross out the answers for these, we did ours on the shower door, so we could easily rub things out with a cloth:

  • 1x7 =

  • 2x7=

  • 3x7=21

  • 4x7=28…

• Then repeat crossing any new ones out we were confident in and then saying out loud together 7,14,21…84. Doing this focussed us in on the ones that we knew not the ones we didn’t.

• Do this again and again while its still fun (and helpful)

We worked through all the way so that we could do all the 7’s :-) and I now know 12x7 is 84. We high fived and then my daughter wanted to move onto 8’s so we did that too. It was great to see just this small intervention had a really positive impact on my youngest, just helping her to practice.

The Science Bit - Focusing on what they know, by crossing out the ones they already know, you are using a psychological technique called errorless learning and building inner confidence. Instead of staring at a page of things they are failing at, the visual focus shifts to a board full of things they have mastered. This protects their confidence.

This is something you can do at home and something that we are building into our kids maths confidence programme. Small changes like these are what you can do to help to build confidence and resilience when taking on new stuff.

If you are someone who’s kids need support with maths or your are a maths teacher or tutor and would like to know more, please get in touch hello@happyconfidentkids.com

So I wanted to share somethings that help me on a daily basis, which are completely accessible and free, that I fit into a busy daily life, as a mum of two running my own business.

Stepping it out

One of my favourites is walking. Most days after I drop my youngest at school, I’ll take 30 mins to just do a loop around the lake that I am lucky to live near.

With busy lives it can be hard to get in movement opportunities, I can remember doing a step challenge when I worked for this large corporate company and I was surprised at how few steps other people had done, some even just one thousand a day.

Even though I had the same job as others, often working long hours, I managed to fit in most days at least 12,000 steps, and the reason for that is I just added in extra steps wherever I could:

• I used to get off the bus a little bit early, both to and from work.

• I never used the lift, even though I was on, I think, the seventh floor in the office (people thought I was bonkers). I can remember my mum saying to me as a child “why ride when you can walk” and this has always stuck with me.

• Where I could in my lunch break, I would go for a quick walk.

• If I had a call where I could be mobile I would walk around the office doing it.

These small changes had massive positive impact on my day, both physically and mentally.

Being in the present moment

Walking also connects us to nature, even a small patch of grass or a single tree can have positive impact, helping us to get in touch with “being in the here and now”, to drain out all those thoughts and things that might be worrying us.

I remember visiting our Canal & River Trust Family Wellbeing Trail in Walsall and I took a teen girl, who was on work experience with us and she just couldn’t believe the change in scenery from the hub of the city to being deep in nature, in just a few minutes.

Look (far) into the distance

One of the other thing you can do is to just look far in to the distance, I often do this when I’m cleaning my teeth out my bathroom window but also it’s great if you’re out and about. It stretches your eyes, we spend so much time now on devices and looking at things that are up close. It’s great to do this for yourself, but also for kids too.

Why it works: When we look at phones or laptops, the ciliary muscles in our eyes constantly contract to focus up close. Looking into the distance allows these muscles to completely relax, preventing digital eye strain and reducing headaches for both adults and kids.

Hydrating

Drinking water, it sounds basic but it can be a game changer (especially for kids). I know that if I haven’t had enough water, I lose focus and I can’t concentrate.

Did you know thirst is one of the biggest causes for kids having meltdowns and often actually when kids (and us too) they they’re hungry, they’re actually thirsty. So if you can get them into good practices of regularly drinking water it can be game changing.

The science bit: Even mild dehydration (a fluid loss of just 1–2%) significantly impairs cognitive functions like concentration, alertness, and short-term memory.

Breathing (mindfully)

So obviously we all breathe, but it’s taking time to do mindful breathing, to really kind of slow down and take a moment for yourself. Lots of the kids, teachers and parents that we’ve worked mindful beathing can be really impactful, and it’s one of the fastest ways to get you to access calm when you need it.

So if you can get yourself outside, walk a bit more, drink water, take time to breathe and look into the distance, these small changes can have big positive impact… what small things have big positive impact for you?

However, when we first arrived, I was met with something I didn’t expect. Instead of the “laid-back” gardening vibe I had pictured, I found a sea of people and stalls. It felt overwhelming and fast-paced—the exact opposite of the nature connection I was craving.

We headed straight for the famous Show Gardens. While these are incredible feats of design (often high-budget installations meant to showcase cutting-edge trends), they can feel a bit "look but don't touch," as they are usually roped off from the public.

A Garden That Opened Its Arms

Everything changed when we stumbled upon “Pressed in Time: Nature’s Memory,” designed by Lora Peneva.

Unlike the other exhibits, this garden had its “wild, flowery arms” flung wide open, actually welcoming people inside. The design was rooted in mindfulness, inviting visitors to reconnect with old crafts like flower pressing and the memories nature evokes.

In the middle stood a giant flower press. We were invited to:

• Pick a cut flower.

• Observe its unique colour, shape, and scent.

• Secure it to the press with paper tape and a personal message.

The act was transformative. Simply holding a petal and focusing on the smell of the pollen transported me away from my busy thoughts. Writing my husband’s name on that tape reminded me of glimmers—those tiny moments of joy—we share in this ever-changing world. It was a powerful reminder that nature is always ready to ground us, even through a single tiny flower.

The "Green" Reset: From the Garden to the Classroom

That grounding moment shifted my entire day. After leaving that garden, I felt “recharged” and ready to dive into the rest of the show. But the lesson didn’t stay at Malvern; I took it to work with me this week.

I was coaching a teenager who was in a state of high distress—full “fight or flight” mode. She wanted to flee school, and her teachers were struggling to reach her through the noise of her anxiety.

I used the "Nature Reset" technique I had felt at the show:

I guided her through a story that transported her to a tropical paradise. We focused on the imaginary sound of the waves and the earthy textures under her feet. The effect was almost instant. By engaging her senses in a "natural" world, her nervous system calmed down, allowing her to speak rationally with her teachers again.

Create Your Own "Calm Bubble"

Nature has an incredible power over our physiology, even when we are just imagining it. Research shows that even looking at an image of nature or out of a window can lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels.

• Give it a go: If you feel overwhelmed, close your eyes and visualize a “safe” nature space. Focus on one specific detail—the texture of a leaf or the sound of water.

Want a guided version? If you would like to be professionally guided through creating your own Calm Bubble, you can access our specialised tool in the academy via this link. It is a “power tool” you or your family members can use anytime to access immediate calm.

Lora Peneva’s show garden will be donated to a local community space. It will continue to serve as a sanctuary for those needing to reconnect.

Want to get back into nature with your family? A great way to start is with our Canal & River Trust Family Wellbeing Trails and we have just launched a new route in Brent and also Tees Barrage: Access the Family Wellbeing Trails Here.

Remember, you’re only ever one deep breath and a 'nature thought' away from calm.

If you get a chance this week, we really encourage you to get yourself and your family outside to soak it all in - your mind and body will thank you.

Pressing Buttons at the Tees Barrage ⚓

Recently, Laura and I spent some time with the Canal and River Trust at the Tees Barrage which is a major structure that prevents flooding and controls tidal flow, also the riverside creates a lovely leisure waterway. We were there delivering some family wellbeing session, and I have to admit, I had a total “inner child” moment.

As part of our visit we got to go behind the scenes in the control room, I actually got to press the button to open one of the lock gates!

It felt like being in a science museum, except I made something happened in real life! It was a massive “glimmer”—one of those small, unexpected moments that sparks genuine joy (Laura also got plenty of joy laughing at my reaction). Keep an eye out for our trail launching there soon; it’s going to be a must-visit.

Managing the “Meltdown” 🌪️

We know that while the sunshine is lovely, seasonal transitions can bring big emotions. If you’re dealing with a “meltdown” moment at home, remember that getting outside—even for five minutes—can be a total circuit breaker. Whether it’s the fresh air or the sensory shift, nature is often the best co-regulator for both us and our children. Laura shares some coaching tips that helped her and her youngest recently here:

Exam Season Support 📝

For anyone prepping for exams in the next few weeks: if you need a little "confidence top-off," you can access our resources online. We’ve seen first hand how these tools help students navigate the pressure with a calmer mindset.

Supporting and Growing Our Team

It has been an incredible month working alongside our two newest Kids Confidence Coaches. We are absolutely delighted to announce that Nathan Arnold, is joining our coaching community. Nathan brings a wealth of energy and experience to the team (as well as being an ex pro footballer - which is super cool, and we can’t wait for you all to meet him.

Huge congratulations also go to Coach Rosie and Coach Luke for completing their “Train the Trainer” course with us. They are now fully qualified to deliver our Glimmer Seeker Training to parents and teachers.

We have had wonderful feedback from our Glimmer Seeker sessions which are designed for anyone supporting kids at home or work.

"Nice to feel valued and supported as an individual. We often miss out our own care in the struggle to set up all the many school and group sessions that we run throughout the year."

If you would like to find out more contact us hello@happyconfidentkids.com

Have a great month, and if you need any support or would like to join our community, come say hello!

As Confidence Coaches, one of our favourite ways to help young people feel safe and connected is by hunting for Glimmers.

What is a Glimmer? ✨ Think of them as the opposite of a “trigger.” They are those tiny, micro-moments of joy that spark a sense of safety and hope.

When we attend events, we bring our giant Glimmer Jar™ (think of us as the BFG, but instead of dreams, we’re collecting moments of real-world magic). At first, many kids (especailly older ones) struggle to find one, we can miss what is right in front of us.

Breaking the Digital Trance 📱

In a world of smartphones and constant tech, we are often so focused on what others are doing online that we miss the reality in front of us. Glimmers act as a circuit breaker, helping us look up and tune back in.

Once you start looking? You see them everywhere. We’ve collected thousands of glimmers across the country (we even trained Gladiator Steel to help us collect them too!).

Some recently glimmers we have collected:

Glimmers remind us that even when things feel unsettled, there is still beauty to be found. They are the “circuit breakers” for stress.

Try it at home 🏠 You don’t need a giant jar. Tonight at dinner, share one of your small “moments of joy” and ask your child for theirs. It’s a simple way to remind them that the world is still a beautiful place worth celebrating.

If you’d like a daily glimmer reminder (think of it like a little reminder to look for joy) - register here.

A Story That Stayed With Us

We met a wonderful mum whose son, usually finds “sitting still” and taking part in organised activities a real struggle. She was amazed to see him completely mesmerised during the storytelling part of the session.

It was a powerful reminder: while tech often makes it a battle to get kids out of the door, nature provides an immediate sense of calm that nothing else can match. Her son didn’t need to “sit still”—he just needed the right environment to be still in.

You too can listen to the Canal or River story that we wrote for the Canal & River Trust and create your own moments of calm.

The “Clean” Mud Recipe 🎨

If you would like to experience some nature well being crafting vibes at home, which is always a huge hit with all ages at our sessions. Here’s a simple mud painting, activity for a slow afternoon:

• The Mix: Combine a handful of compost (to ensure it’s clean and safe) with a splash of water.

• The Tools: Grab some old paintbrushes and heavy paper.

• The Method: Get messy! There are no rules here.

• Pro-Tip: Grab some chalk to add some colour, raid the spice rack or the fridge. A dash of turmeric or a squeeze of ketchup adds a vibrant pop of colour to your earthy masterpiece.

Get Involved Too 🌳

You don’t need an event to find your quiet. Grab a book or a sketchbook and head to your local park. Even if the clouds roll in, a waterproof is all you need for an adventure.

• Discover Our Trails & Waterside Activities: Our Canal & River Trust Family wellbeing trails are FREE and ready for you to explore whenever the mood strikes. Access them here

• Stay in the Loop: Want to join us for our next Wild Well-Being session? We’d love to have you | Register Interest Here

Upcoming events with the Canal & River Trust:

• Tower Hamlets 29th May - FREE session book here.

• Trent Locks 29th May - Booking coming soon | Register Interest Here.

Coach Rosie is also running some sessions in Carshalton Area, you can find out more here - See you outside.

My daughter, is nearly ten. She was diagnosed early on with a condition called Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome ⭐(more on this later), one of her legs is longer than the other, so she has a raise on one shoe.

Due to her raise she can feel uncomfortable and she loves to have her shoes super tight, which she asks me for help with…

The thing is it has become something that I am just doing for her; because it was easier, faster, and less painful for everyone. But recently I realised in the long run taking over these tricky tasks isn’t helping her to be independent and confident in her own abilities.. it was time for my daughter to reclaim that independence.

So after explaining the plan about the tying of shoes and a few days of big emotions, we had a week of shoe lace tying success; with my daughter just getting on and tying her own shoes (whoop) and then... I slipped.

We were rushing to get out for school and she was tired, so to speed us up, I did her shoes, it felt like a small thing at the time but by this morning, we were back to square one: shouting, tears, and “I can’t do anything!”

The Power of the “Calm Space”

It was so tempting to just lean in, tie the lace, and end the noise so we could get out the door. Instead, I stepped back and kept deep breaths (helping us both to get in a calm space).

When the meltdown had almost passed and the laces were finally tied she was still unhappy that her shoes weren’t tight enough (because she did them herself). I checked and assured her they were just right.

So to help her even more, as we walked slowly to school, we used grounding techniques I share with our clients to help her even more:

• The Sensory Shift: We focused on tiny, neutral details. “What does your left ear feel like?” or “What about your right elbow?” It moves the brain’s focus away from the frustration to focus on something else.

• The Safe Space: We also took a mental trip to “Bunny Land,” (her safe space) visualising a soft and quiet place, until the school gates felt manageable again. We shared a huge hug before I kissed her on the head and watched her happily go in.

This week I’m going to stick to that consistent message and show her that I have full confidence that she can do this herself. I’ll keep you updated!

⭐Raising Awareness: What is BWS?

Part of our journey has been navigating Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome. It’s a rare overgrowth disorder that can affect different parts of the body (like my daughters leg length). I share this not just for context, but for awareness. If you notice asymmetrical growth or an enlarged tongue in your baby, early scanning is vital. You can learn more about the signs here.

Extra Support for the Journey

If you found yourself swept up in the “morning rush” struggle, know you are not alone. We have lots of ways to help:

• The Monthly Reset: For more stories, nature-based tips, and reflections like this, delivered straight to your inbox. Follow us on Substack

• The Meltdown Masterclass (Online): A deep dive into the exact techniques I used this morning and more —to help you handle high-emotion moments with confidence. [Sign up here]

• 1-to-1 Kids Coaching: For a truly personalised approach, we can work through it together. [Find out more here]

I’ll keep you updated on the shoelace progress!

Comment below with your small parenting successes too - small change can have big impact…

It’s been another busy and heart-filling month at Happy Confident Kids, everyday we are so grateful we get to do this. From on boarding new Kids Confidence Coaches to seeing even more of the real-world impact of our tools across the UK, we are more committed than ever to bringing “the light” to children’s (and the people that support them) lives.

Training Our First Glimmer Seeker Trainers

Yesterday was a huge milestone: we trained our very first coaches to become Official Glimmer Seeker Trainers. Which means they can now deliver locally our Glimmer Seeker Training.

During one of the training session, Laura spoke about the powerful role that adults—teachers, staff, and coaches—play in a child’s world. Often, these supporters don’t realise that a simple act of kindness can change a child’s entire trajectory.

Laura shared a moving story about a teen client who found strength in a decade-old memory of a primary school teacher, you can read the full, heart-warming story of that session here:

CRT Trails: Impact Across the UK

We are also thrilled to share that our partnership with the Canal & River Trust (CRT) is growing. We have been working on even more trails, and it has been wonderful to see the results of CRT delivering these well-being sessions across the UK.

By taking our techniques “In the Wild,” we are helping kids connect with nature while building the emotional literacy they need to thrive.

Whether it’s a walk by the water or a quiet moment of presence, these sessions are proving that the right environment—coupled with the right tools—makes all the difference. Read more about the power of being present here and how it can help you:

Exam Confidence: Help Learners Thrive

With exam season approaching, a quick reminder about our Exam Confidence Masterclass.

If your a teacher and want to support your students “en masse,” let us know! We can set up these workshops for entire schools or year groups, equipping students with simple, independent techniques to self-regulate and stay calm during their SATs, GCSEs, or A-Levels. It’s about giving them the confidence to show what they truly know without the weight of anxiety.

Be the Difference

If you would like to learn amazing skills that make a real difference to kids or need support from our amazing network of Confidence Coaches please get in touch.

Warmly,

The Happy Confident Kids Head Office Team (Miranda and Laura)

A 'Glimmer' is the opposite of a trigger—it’s a small moment of joy that cues our nervous system to feel safe and connected.

People who support children—teachers, coaches, staff—often have no idea how much benefit their simplest actions bring. It reminded me of a coaching session I had with a teenager who has faced challenges no child should ever have to endure. They were going through daily challenges and navigating a world where many things were out of their control.

Together we were exploring times they felt safe, which for them had been rarely. Thinking about it they smiled, my client’s entire posture shifted. Their face lit up as they travelled back to a point in time at primary school.

They told me about a day they had fallen asleep in class. Instead of a reprimand, their teacher recognised a child who simply needed peace. The teacher created a quiet space for them to rest, and when they woke up, there was a hot chocolate and something to eat, waiting for them.

They remembered this kindness and warmth years after leaving primary.

Using our Happy Confident Kids techniques, I helped this young person really “step back” into that memory, immersing them in that long-ago warmth to help them navigate their world today, and feel safe. Giving them a tool they could use to do this whenever they needed it.

It’s amazing how years later, we can use that one moment of safety, to create a lifeline today. When we teach kids how to return to these moments of calm, we give them a tool for resilience that lasts a lifetime.

It was a profound reminder: You might be the one person bringing light for a child.

Our mission (well one of them) is to give every adult who supports children, tools to support both themselves and those around them.

Our Glimmer Seeker Training is now open to anyone who supports children in any capacity—parents, teachers, coaches, and mentors. Learn the skills to help kids find their light, even in dark times.

Contact us for more information.

Be the difference.

Kiran mentioned how she used to view art. She’d walk through a gallery, glance at a painting, read the tag, and just... move on. But since being around my brother (an artist), she’s learned to “actively participate” in the art. She lingers. She feels it. And the mental health benefits of that shift have been massive.

It made me realise that I’ve gone through the exact same transformation—not with a canvas, but with NATURE.

The Power of Active Noticing

Through our work helping people connect with the outdoors, I’ve accidentally cured my own “nature blindness.” I used to just drive through the world; now, I’m in it.

I find myself pointing out the specific shades of the sky to my kids while we’re in the car. I’ll stop—actually stop—to smell a flower or just pause and breathe when the light hits the trees a certain way.

Why the “Right Now” Matters

When you’re feeling stuck, anxious, or overwhelmed, your brain is usually living in the “what ifs” of the future or the “if only” of the past. Nature is the ultimate anchor. It only ever exists in the right here and now.

By noticing the small things, we pull ourselves back into the present. It’s a simple circuit-breaker for stress, and the best part? It’s accessible to everyone, anywhere.

Your Weekend “Present Moment” Challenge

If you’re looking for a reset this weekend, you don’t need a mountain range or a forest. You just need to look.

• The Morning Look-Out: When you wake up, open the window and look as far into the distance as you can. It literally widens your perspective.

• The City Hack: If you’re in a city centre, find that one pocket of green. And yes, go ahead and hug the tree! It sounds “woo-woo” until you feel how grounded it makes you.

• The Commuter’s Eye: Even if you’re stuck in traffic, look at the clouds. Look for the birds. See what you can spot that you usually ignore.

• The Gallery Shortcut: If you’re in a city pop into a free museum. Research shows that even looking at paintings of nature—especially water—can lower your cortisol.

  (there are over 200 admission free museums and galleries in the UK).

Nature and art aren’t just things to look at; they are things to experience. Take a moment this weekend to just be. I promise you’ll feel the benefits.

We’ve been busy running several “In the Wild” sessions lately, and they’ve served as a powerful reminder of how important it is to get outside in nature—even when it’s raining! Speaking of which, it was wonderful to see so many of you join us Canalside at Westport Lake.

🌿 Urban Nature & Digital Detox in Walsall

The In the Wild sessions along the canal are always a huge reminder of how vital these “slim” nature spaces are, especially in urban settings. We loved meeting so many families and seeing their joy as they discovered nature right on their doorsteps—nature they didn’t even know was there!

It was particularly lovely to see families de-tech (zero phones) and truly engage with one another in the moment.

Note: All of our current Canal & River Trust Family Wellbeing sessions are fully booked, but watch this space. We will be launching more dates very soon.

🗺️ New Wellbeing Trails Launched!

We’ve launched several more Family Wellbeing Trail as part of our ongoing partnership with the Canal and River Trust since we last messaged. These are designed to help you slow down and connect as a family at your own pace:

• [Download your Wellbeing Trail Maps here]

🎓 Setting Up for Exam Success

Laura recently ran a session for West Coventry Academy to support students during this high-pressure season. The feedback has been incredible; we always love hearing about the immediate impact our tools have on children (and their teachers, too!).

Help your teen stay calm and confident: You can sign up your young person for our Exam Confidence Masterclass for just £25. It’s available online so you can watch it whenever you need.

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🛠️ Putting Our Tools into Practice

Speaking of our tools, I’ve been putting them into practice myself this month. One of my own children has been going through a bit of a challenge ahead of an overnight school trip, and it’s been a timely reminder that these techniques are for us parents just as much as the kids.

I’ve written a short piece about our experience and how we use our “toolkit” to handle whatever life throws at us, even in stormy waters:

💭 We’d love to hear from you...

What would you like to hear more about next month? Hit reply and let us know!

With love and glimmers, The Happy Confident Kids Team

It doesn’t have to be that way.

We’ve been running some incredible Exam Support Workshops in secondary schools recently, and the feedback from the students has been amazing.

Train Like a Champion

If it’s good enough for the greats, it’s good enough for GCSEs and A-Levels!

Cristiano Ronaldo, Chloe Kelly, Jonny Wilkinson… these legends don’t just “hope” when they kick the ball. They see it, feel it, and believe it before they even move. They’ve trained their bodies to stay calm and focused in the biggest stadiums.

We teach young people to do the exact same thing with their exam papers. ✨

“The tools were original and 100% useful. For me personally, they were super helpful for life challenges.” — Warwick University Psychology Student

“You can tell they were really engaged and really thinking about it. Some really useful techniques for the kids” — West Coventry Academy Teaching Staff, listen to full feedback here:

The Secret Weapon: Your “Mental Movie”

The truth is, most of us are already “visualising”—we’re just not doing it the right way around!. Have you ever dreaded a tough meeting or a social event and spent the whole morning “rehearsing” everything that could go wrong? You felt your heart speed up just thinking about it, right?

That is the Mind-Body Connection in action. It’s a superpower. And we show teens how to flip the switch in a positive way. A really great way we can also access calm, when we need it, is with mindful breathing and here is a really simple technique:

Help them walk in tall and walk out proud 🌟

Give your teen the mental edge they deserve. Our Exam Confidence Masterclass is designed to be easy, encouraging, and effective.

Investment: £25
Access: Online & On-Demand (Watch whenever they need a boost)

Click here to grab their spot in the Masterclass

A few weeks ago Miranda and I travelled to the bustling town of Walsall in the Black Country. It’s a vibrant, busy urban landscape where opportunities to truly “get into nature” can feel few and far between. We were there to deliver a Let’s Go Outdoors workshop in partnership with the Canal & River Trust, proudly sponsored by Sport England.

💧 Connection at the Water’s Edge

Weeks before we even arrived, the workshops were fully booked. This spoke volumes: urban families are hungry for opportunities to connect with the outdoors and reclaim their local canal spaces.

As the sun broke through the clouds, the water began to sparkle, and so did the mood. It was incredible to watch families—whom many spend most of their time navigated by concrete and traffic—instantly soften as they connected with the environment.

Some highlights from the day:

• Wildlife Spotting: Children became mini-explorers, delighting in spotting Canadian geese and nesting moorhens.

• Quality Connection: Parents and kids threw themselves into towpath activities, learning new wellbeing skills side-by-side.

• Urban Glimmers: We captured some beautiful “glimmers” (tiny moments of joy) from our participants:

🌧️ Rain or Shine: The Resilience of Play

One of my personal highlights was seeing how nature builds resilience. During our second workshop, the sky turned grey and the heavens opened.

In many settings, a heavy downpour would end the fun. But here? The children didn’t even notice. They were so deep in their flow—creating arts and crafts and laughing—that the rain just became part of the adventure. It proved a powerful point: Getting outside, whatever the weather, is a game-changer for happiness.

📍 Visit the Walsall Wellbeing Trail

Whether you live in a leafy suburb or the middle of the city, your local canal is a sanctuary waiting to be discovered.

Want to try it yourself? You can now experience our Self-Led Wellbeing Trail at Walsall Basin. It’s free, grounding, and the perfect way to find your own “glimmers”.

A huge thank you to all the families who braved the weather to join us at Westport Lake in Stoke-on-Trent. Running these sessions always brings us so many glimmers*, but a few moments really stood out this time. Including:

• A robin that stopped by the workshop and brought joy to those around it.

• A Dad smiling seeing how much his son enjoyed the session, even in the rain.

• A Granny taking her time and loving doing the mud painting, seeing her have such joy in something so simple.

Here are some glimmers from the families that joined us:

*tiny moments of joy

It was a beautiful reminder that being in nature with family is an incredibly powerful and FREE way of building connections and creating core memories that last a lifetime.

The best part? This is something we can all do, no matter where we are. Canals are amazing nature spaces available in even the most urbans of places in the UK.

📍 Try Our Self-Led Wellbeing Trail!

If you’re looking for a free, grounding activity to do with your family, you can now experience our Self-Led Wellbeing Trail at Westport Lake.

I actually took my own family along the route when we were surveying it, and we absolutely loved it. It’s a fantastic way to slow down and explore the lakeside together.

How to get involved:

• Download the Map: Click link for all our trails with Canal & River Trust, see a sneak peak below

• Explore: Follow the trail at your own pace.

• Share: We’d love to hear what you think of the NEW trail! Tag us and share any GLIMMERS you find along the way. ✨

One of my children has been struggling deeply with overwhelm, in advance of going on an overnight school trip and also changes in her emotions as she grows-up. Worries have been building and building until she feels like she’s ready to explode. It is incredibly hard to witness your child in distress, but we’ve been working through it together, bolstered by the invaluable support of Laura, our Head Kids Confidence Coach.

One tool that has truly transformed things for her is looking for GLIMMERS (those small bursts of everyday joy). By focusing on the "here and now," she is practising leaning into what is good right now, rather than worrying about what might go wrong later.

The Progress We’re Seeing

We are seeing so many positive changes. She is identifying her feelings more clearly and becoming much more open with us. Most importantly, she is happier in herself and has started saying “I’m sorry” after a tough moment—which, for her, is an absolute milestone.

Tools That Are Keeping Us Grounded

If you are navigating a similar season of “big feelings,” these are the tools that are really helping us:

• The Power of Co-Regulation: I constantly remind myself that my calm becomes her calm. If I can keep my nervous system steady, it gives her a safe place to land. Mindful breathing really helps me with this—taking just three slow breaths can be the difference between reacting and responding.

• Acknowledge Feelings: Instead of trying to shut the feelings down, we validate them. Acknowledging that the feeling is real helps it pass so much faster. It lets her know she isn’t “bad” for having big emotions; she’s just overwhelmed.

• Highlight the Moments of Calm (Not the Explosion): It is so easy to focus on the “meltdown,” but its so powerful to shift that focus. When she is playing quietly or we are sharing a snuggle, I help her to recognise that skill and feeling, so that she can remember what calm feels like and know that it is something that she can get in touch with.

• Time for You: You cannot pour from an empty cup. Whether it’s a five-minute walk alone, a hot cup of tea, or just stepping into another room to reset, making time for your own regulation isn’t selfish—it’s a parenting essential.

Using “Calm Narratives”

We often spend so much time talking about the “explosions” that the quiet moments go unnoticed. By narrating the calm, we help our children recognise what peace feels like in their own bodies.

Give it a go saying these out loud during the peaceful windows:

• “I can see how relaxed your shoulders look right now. It feels really peaceful just sitting here with you.”

• “Your breathing is so nice and steady. You look very comfortable.”

• “I love how we are both just enjoying this quiet moment together. My heart feels very happy.”

• “I noticed how you took a big breath there. It’s amazing how that helps our bodies feel safe.”

Struggling to find the Glimmers?

If you’re currently in the thick of the “explosion” phase and finding it hard to see a way out, you aren’t alone. We’ve put everything we know about navigating these storms into one place.

👉 Join our Meltdown Masterclass here – Let’s find the calm together

👉 Contact us for information about our amazing Kids Confidence Coaches

Back to School (and Back to Nature)

Laura and I kicked off the year with an amazing teacher training day at Alderbrook. It was such a joy to work with so many educators, showcasing our award-winning “In the Wild” skills and the power of outdoor learning.

What stood out most was the impact on the teachers’ own well-being. Despite it being a bit crisp (and even snowing), the power of nature combined with our well-being tools grounded everyone. There was so much laughter and so many smiles. One teacher even shared in their feedback:

"I loved how peaceful it was and how kind the staff were. I have been using my glimmer book everyday since the Inset day with my family! It’s brought us altogether at the end of our days to share small moments of joy as one, it’s so nice to reflect on our days-despite if it wasn’t all joyful. Thank you for introducing me to glimmers!"

You can read more about it here:

Exploring Our New Trails & Workshops

Our project with the Canal & River Trust continues to grow! We have several new trails that have just gone live:

• Manchester,

• Birmingham

• Foxton Locks

• Trent Lock

• Westport Lake

• Devizes Wharf

• Tower Hamlets

• Gloucester Docks

Download MAPS here

• Free Workshops: Canal & River Trust team are currently running FREE family wellbeing sessions, packed with our tools in:

  • Walsall, Westport Lake, Trent Lock, Gloucester Docks and Stanley Locks (one of my favourites) in Liverpool. Get your spot here

  • If your interested in our FREE school workshops with the Canal & River please email us.

Big News: New Confidence Coaches

In December, we began training a brand-new Confidence Coach based in Spain! She will be providing online coaching for children globally. If you feel your child needs a little extra support, our three week programme are designed to provide immediate, life-changing tools. Watch this space next month, for a spotlight on TWO new Kids Confidence Coaches.

One of Coach Laura’s secondary school leaners is feeling much happier and calmer, and now consistently coming into school - go Laura!

Our coaches have been supporting many children in our sessions, who after returning to school from the Christmas break have been finding themselves stuck in “Fight or flight mode”, read more about this here and some Coaching Tips to do at home:

Two Simple Tips for a Mindset Shift

There is a lot of pressure in January to “fix” everything with resolutions. Instead, we recommend two tiny daily habits that make a massive difference:

1. The 5-Minute Reset: Find five minutes for yourself, get outside in nature, and practice “mindful-breathing.” It’s the fastest way to signal safety to your nervous system. Below is an amazing mindfulness tool we use to access calm, keep an open mind, find a quiet space somewhere comfy and give this a go and take some time out for you:

1. Practice “Glimmer Seeking”: This is a game-changer for kids and adults alike. It’s the intentional practice of looking for tiny moments of joy. It actually retrains your brain to look for the positive instead of scanning for stress.

Here is some inspiration from our Teacher Training day:

Let’s Connect

If you’d like to know more about becoming a kids coach or any of our coaching sessions, please get in touch. Let’s make this the month we reset together, with that in mind what glimmer* did you have today? I had a few today, but one was my daughter going into school with a spring in her step.

*tiny moment of joy

Our coaches have been supporting children in our sessions who after returning to school after the Christmas break have been finding themselves stuck in “Fight or flight mode” Getting stuck in this survival response can be both draining for the child involved and their families…..

What is ‘Fight or Flight’?

It’s a survival instinct designed to save us from physical harm—like running from a predator. While we aren’t being chased by lions today, our bodies can react to a school stressor or a sensory overload in the exact same way, which can be unhelpful.

When a child (or parent) is stuck in a state of fight or flight long-term, it feels like:

• Hyper-Vigilance: Always being “on guard.” You jump at loud noises or get easily startled by shadows.

• Brain Fog: Feeling “spaced out” or finding it impossible to make simple decisions.

• Emotional Fragility: Feeling like you are “walking on eggshells” or that you’re one small inconvenience away from a total meltdown.

• Total Exhaustion: Being in fight or flight is physically draining. When the adrenaline wears off, you feel a heavy, bone-deep tiredness.

When we see our children’s well-being shift, our instinct is to “fix” it immediately. But that internal pressure can push us into overwhelm, causing us to react rather than respond. If you feel like you’re in the “pit” right now, I see you. Here are three things to helping us find our way back to the surface:

1. Be the Calm Anchor ⚓

It sounds cliché, but you cannot co-regulate a child if you are dysregulated yourself. Taking five minutes for yourself or spending time in nature isn’t a luxury; it’s a lifeline. You don’t need the perfect “parenting script” or all the answers. Sometimes, simply being a quiet, safe presence in the middle of their storm is the most powerful thing you can do.

So keep an open mind, find a quiet space somewhere comfy and give this a go and take some time out for you:

2. Celebrate the Calm

Small wins are actually huge milestones. Recently, I watched the physical signs of worry building in my daughter’s body. Instead of spiralling, she took herself off to bounce on a trampette—releasing that pent-up energy all on her own.

I acknowledged it by asking, “Does it feel better to let that energy out?” When she nodded, I told her she did an amazing job finding her calm. Shifting our focus to these moments of calm—helps retrain ours and our kids brains to look for safety instead of just scanning for the next explosion.

3. Play it Out 🎭

When kids are in a survival loop, “talking about feelings” can feel like an interrogation. We’ve been using role-play instead. Watching my daughter “coach” a toy through a worry was a total lightbulb moment for her. By helping a character, she was actually teaching herself how to cope. You can do this by having a teddy practice “finger breathing” or letting a doll talk about its “big feelings.”

Need a hand getting out of the pit? 💛

For some January can feel heavy— We have lots of ways to help, if you or your child needs a reset:

• The Meltdown Masterclass: An online, on-demand session for when you need tools now. Practical, accessible, and designed for real-life chaos.

• Glimmer Seeker Training: A two-part boost. First, we help you find your own footing, then we teach you the exact tools to coach your child through big emotions - email to find out more: hello@happyconfidentkids.com

• One-to-One Coaching: Our amazing coaches (UK & Overseas) work directly with children age 4 to 18, to give them immediate tools for school and home.

Remember if you are having a tough time, this is just a moment in time - tough moments may feel permanent, it helps to remember that those moments will pass and better moments will come again. Spotting glimmers (the tiny moments of joy in everyday) are a great way to do this, what glimmer did you have today?