The Nurturing Nook

💕Attachment in relationships 💕

Maybe you’ve noticed a pattern.
You pull away when things get close.
Or you chase closeness when someone pulls away.
You overthink a text.
You shrink yourself to keep the peace.
You care so much, but end up feeling misunderstood, or unseen.
You’re exhausted and still wondering if it’s you.

Here’s the thing: you're not broken.
Most of us are shaped by the ways we’ve learned to keep connection—especially when it wasn’t safe, consistent, or nourishing in the past.

💬 "If I’m always the one holding it together, will they still love the real me?”

Attachment isn’t about being clingy or cold.
It’s about survival. Safety. Emotional wiring we’ve carried for years,sometimes generations.

Understanding your attachment style isn’t about fitting into a label.
It’s about noticing the patterns with curiosity instead of self-blame.
It’s the beginning of learning how to stay connected to yourself, even when relationships feel confusing or hard.

You don’t have to figure it all out alone.
The way you love makes sense. So does the way you protect yourself.

There’s always space for healing, understanding and wanting to grow.
nurturing.nook

🧸 "Mum! Can you come play with me?"
It's more than just an invitation—it's a bid for connection. When a child asks us to play, they’re not just seeking entertainment… they’re asking:

✨ *Do you see me?*
✨ *Do you enjoy being with me?*
✨ *Can I feel safe with you in this moment?*

Play is how children *communicate*, *co-regulate*, and *build relationship safety*. It’s the space where they can test out ideas, process emotions, and feel seen. For neurodivergent children, play might look different—lining up toys, scripting movie scenes, deep-diving into one topic, or even just sharing space side by side.

🌱 Not all children play the same—and they’re not meant to.

As a parent, *knowing your child’s way of playing* is incredibly powerful. Maybe they invite you to spin, stim, build, sort, or narrate—your attunement to *their* kind of play builds emotional security and deepens your connection.

💛 And yes—being present for play is beautiful, but not always easy. Especially when you’re overstimulated, exhausted, or dealing with your own mental load and have multiple children in the home. That doesn’t make you less connected or less loving.

You’re human.
You’re learning together.
You’re enough.

Moments of non verbal cues, listening to their hyper-focus topics, sitting beside them, offering a smile or sharing a sensory moment—that *is* play too.

-Shannon

🌿 Understanding PDA 🌿

If you're parenting or working with a child who shows signs of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), you know it’s not just “defiance.” It’s anxiety, overwhelm, and a deep need for autonomy—expressed in ways that can feel confusing, exhausting, and at times, heartbreaking. If your child resists every request, even the “easy” ones… it’s not bad behaviour.
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is a lesser-known autistic profile rooted in anxiety and need for control.

So to the parent gently tiptoeing around morning routines to avoid meltdowns—
To the teacher adjusting every plan to meet a child where they’re at—
To the PDA individual who’s grown up hearing they’re “too much”—

I see you. I honour your effort. And I know how hard this can be.

PDA isn’t a parenting failure. It’s a nervous system in survival mode. Your child isn't trying to be difficult—they're trying to feel safe.

💛 Connection before correction.
💛 Flexibility over force.
💛 Compassion instead of control.

You’re not alone in this. You’re doing deeply important, emotionally demanding work. And it matters more than you know.

-Shannon

To the parent who's overstimulated, run down and looking for the next coffee - this one's for you.

Sometimes the noise, the chaos, the constant demands, and the emotions—both yours and your child’s—feel like too much. That’s not because you’re doing something wrong. It’s because you’re human.

Parenting, especially when you or your child are neurodivergent, can be intense. Sensory overload is real. Meltdowns are real. And the guilt that creeps in when you just need a break—that’s real too.

So here’s your reminder: needing space, quiet, or help doesn’t make you a bad parent. It makes you a self-aware one. One who is doing their best with the skillset they’ve got. One who keeps showing up even when it's hard.

Take the breath. Step away if you can. Let go of perfection. You’re not alone. You are seen. You are doing enough. You are enough.

Let’s normalise messy days, overstimulated moments, and the deep love that holds it all together.

-Shannon

🌿 **We’re back on Fridays!** 🌿

A heartfelt thank you to all our lovely clients for your patience and understanding during our little schedule shuffle at the start of the year 💛

We’re so happy to share that **Friday bookings are now back**, alongside our usual **Tuesdays**, with **Shannon Fraser at The Nurturing Nook**.

Looking forward to seeing your familiar faces and continuing the journey together 🪷

https://bookings.gettimely.com/thenurturingnook/bb/book

Appointment booking Online appointment booking

As my last day in the office for 2024, I just wanted to wish my lovely followers and clients a Happy Holiday break!

Christmas is a time when people have many different traditions, reflections and feelings about what this part of the year means for them and their families.

I hope you all have a chance to rest, enjoy and take some well needed self-care time to refresh for 2025 and prepare for what the New Year may hold for you.

The Nurturing Nook office will be closed from the 20/12/24 to 17/01/25. Any new bookings or queries will be responded to by admin from January 13th.

https://bookings.gettimely.com/thenurturingnook/bb/book

Stay safe and be kind to yourselves :)

-Shannon

✨️As a neuro-affirming counsellor, I believe that every child deserves to be celebrated for their true self. Masking, or hiding one's true identity to fit in, can be exhausting and detrimental to mental health. It's important for parents and caregivers to understand and support their neurodivergent children in embracing their uniqueness.

I have provided some affirmations which can help create a supportive and understanding environment, foster a sense of security and self-worth in our wonderful kids!

Let's shift the focus from making our children "fit in" to celebrating their authentic selves. Together, we can create a world where neurodivergent individuals feel seen, valued, and supported. 💖

ABSOLUTELY 👏👏👏. Movement is key for further engagement and regulated learning. Let the children move!

Rae Pica Keynotes & Consulting 💕

Taking new clients at the new location! Booking link attached below!

The Midland office is open each Thursday for counselling services with Shannon Fraser.

It has been a blast setting up such a beautiful space, I can't wait to show it to you✨😊.

Shannon Fraser - Counsellor The Nurturing Nook

https://bookings.gettimely.com/thenurturingnook/bb/book

Better late than never! 😅

A wonderful health and wellness day put on by the local Gener8 Fitness Bullsbrook last weekend. Thanks to Craig and Justine for all your hard work.

Giving small businesses an opportunity to mingle with our local community and share some great stories, information and moments on the day. I loved some of the laughs that were shared between us all and the amazing food truck options too!

I look forward to the next one☺️✨.