PDA parenting
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What Do My Balls Do?
A peaceful drive home after a day by the river quickly turned into one of the most unexpected parenting conversations I’ve ever had. From awkward anatomy questions to “Wild Wees,” this is a funny, honest glimpse into the wonderfully unpredictable world of PDA parenting. Continue reading
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Does the sun melt away the clouds?
“Does the sun melt away the clouds?” It seemed like a simple question on the school run. But as I listened to my son’s reasoning, I realised it wasn’t really about clouds at all. It was another reminder that he sees the world differently—and how spending time in his world has changed the way I… Continue reading
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Is a Broken Bone the Same as a Fracture?
For the first time in weeks, I thought I’d finally got an afternoon to myself. Then a phone call from school changed everything. A broken thumb, a full arm cast, and suddenly all the progress we’d worked so hard for felt like it was slipping through our fingers. As my son asked his usual big… Continue reading
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Can You Take a Picture of Me? PDA Bedtime Ritual Explained
A reflection on PDA bedtime rituals and how a simple nightly request from my son asking me to take a photo of him as he falls asleep has slowly become an essential part of his routine. What began as a small habit has grown into a powerful source of comfort, trust, and connection. Continue reading
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Why do we always see people we know?
Small town life means you always see someone you know. For my PDA son, that’s one of the hardest part of leaving the house. Continue reading
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The Elastic Band Ball Obsession: Parenting a Child with Intense Interests
A funny and heartfelt look at parenting a child with intense fascinations, from packets of tissues to giant elastic band balls. What started as a simple pack of elastic bands quickly became counting, researching world records, and late-night trips to B&M until I realised I had become just as invested in the obsession as my… Continue reading
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Are you part of the secret club? A Birthday Reflection
This week I turn 43. We are still in the trenches. Probably will be for a long time yet. But from down here, you get to see things most people never will. You get to be part of something most people never understand. Tea keeps me alive. Coffee makes me feel alive. And a lifelong… Continue reading
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What Colour is Calm?
What does calm actually feel like for a PDA child? A heartfelt look at anxiety, meltdowns, and the reality of PDA emotional regulation in everyday life. Continue reading
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Grandma, can you please just stop talking?
Parenting a PDA child taught me that sometimes the most powerful communication strategy is saying nothing at all. Discover why silence, presence, and reducing demands helps children with PDA regulate and feel safe. Learn practical ways to support without overwhelming—through quiet connection instead of words Continue reading
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Why is School Avoidance back? When the PDA Burnout Cycle starts again on Mother’s Day
This one is personal. It started with Mother’s Day. My son came home from football and I knew — before the day was out — that something had shifted. He didn’t go to school the next day. Or the day after. In this week’s post I’m writing about the PDA burnout cycle — why our… Continue reading