Cara Callaghan

I suppose my route to becoming a Resilient Kid Coach has been a bit of a winding one! I’ve spent the last 13 years working with children in primary education, across both Key Stages and, more recently, in specialist provision. I’ve worked with lots of different children, with lots of different personalities, needs and ways of communicating. If there’s one thing working with children has taught me, it’s that there is nearly always more going on underneath the behaviour. The child who is 'being difficult' might actually be overwhelmed. The child who won’t join in might be worried about getting it wrong. The child who seems angry might simply not know what to do with a feeling that has become too big. Sometimes children just need somebody to stop, listen and look at things from their point of view. That’s something I’ve always found really important. Creativity has also been a big part of my life. I have a degree in Printed Textiles and have run after-school art classes. I’ve seen how drawing, making and creating can give children another way to express themselves when talking about things isn't quite so easy. I’m not a parent myself, and I would never pretend that I know what it’s like to be one. Parents know their children in a way nobody else can. What I do bring is many years of experience working alongside children, a genuine curiosity about what makes them tick, and a belief that every child deserves to feel understood rather than simply judged by their behaviour. That’s one of the reasons The Resilient Kid felt like such a natural fit for me. I love the idea of helping children understand themselves a little better, giving them practical things they can actually use, and helping them feel a bit calmer, a bit braver and a bit more confident. Sometimes a child doesn't need ‘fixing’. They just need someone to help them understand what’s going on — and remind them that they can handle it.