Amanda Stockwell’s Post

🎄✨ Give the Gift They Truly Need This Christmas ✨🎄 As we approach the Christmas season, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle of buying presents and "stuff" for loved ones. But what if, instead of guessing what might make them smile, we asked what they really need? Sometimes, the most meaningful gift isn’t something wrapped in paper but something that touches the heart: 🌟 Paying a bill to ease financial stress. 🌟 Offering a homemade meal or babysitting so they can take a break. 🌟 Filling up their car with petrol or simply grabbing a coffee to connect and listen. These thoughtful gestures not only make Christmas brighter but also strengthen bonds. Many people won’t ask for help—they may feel embarrassed or unsure how. But by starting the conversation, we have the chance to be a real source of joy and support. 💡 This Christmas, let’s make our gifts about connection, kindness, and love. Ask your friends, family, or neighbours how you can help in a way that makes a true difference. Your gift could be the one that turns someone's tough Christmas into a heartwarming one. 🎁❤️ #ChristmasGiving #KindnessMatters #SupportEachOther #ConnectionOverThings

🎄 "If you’re hosting a family with a child with SEND this year, you’ve got the power to make their day a whole lot easier—and maybe even enjoyable!" 👩👧👦 Christmas is just around the corner! Here's how to make it SEND-Family-Friendly... 🤶 We all know Christmas can be a tough time of year, kids hopped up on sugar, late nights... and our kids with SEND might struggle that bit more with some of the stuff that the Christmas season has to offer. 🤩 Check out our most recent blog, where you can read up on our top tips on making the festive seasons accessible and inclusive for all. 👉 Read below. #Christmas #SENDFriendly #FestiveSeason #LearnAndThrive #BlogPost

Christmas magic is silent. You don't hear it—you feel it, you know it, you believe it. ***********I CHALLENGE EVERYONE ****** TO DO THIS BEFORE CHRISTMAS The Christmas doorstep challenge is on! Imagine how many Christmases could be brightened by a simple gesture. The rules: 1. Pick someone who has had a tough time or would simply benefit from some festive goodwill. It doesn't have to be someone you know well. 2. Choose them a gift - big or small. 3. Write them an anonymous note, some kind words about why you were thinking of them. 4. Leave it all at their doorstep. 5. make sure they don't see you! 6. Feel happy knowing that you have spread some Christmas cheer with no expectations of anything in return. Let's share and see if this catches on and we can spread a bit of Christmas magic. Miracles really do happen! #RAMPisinclusion #RAMPredbag #ADA34 #betheIDEA #TinaTables #unapologeticallyme #accessibilitymatters #inclusionmatters #wheellife #SpinalCordInjury #BetheIDEA #Rockyourcrown #Servicedogs #RAMPapproved #Christmas #Doorstepchallenge

Every year, I am bombarded with queries from parents looking for some tips and techniques about making Christmas less about the “stuff “and more about family connection.  If you have an Elf on the Shelf at home, it's the perfect opportunity to start conversations about what truly matters during the festive season. This year, use your Elf to help your children understand that what they see on TV and social media isn’t the whole story. You can start conversations with  “𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳...” questions: I wonder what the elf really wants this Christmas? I wonder what  lovely stuff he is planning to do when he gets home on Christmas day? I wonder what special traditions happen in the North Pole, after all the hard work is done? Kids are bombarded with ads, constantly told they need the latest toy or gadget to be 𝘤𝘰𝘰𝘭. It’s easy for them to believe that they need all these things to have a great Christmas. To shift the focus, encourage your children to pick one thing they really want for Christmas—and then to choose something to share with Mum, Dad, and the rest of the family. Whether it’s a book they love a game you can all play together, or even a special family outing, the idea is to show that Christmas is about experiences and connections, not just material things. Imagine using those playful moments to teach empathy, generosity, and the real joy of connection - now that's magic more precious than any wrapped gift. #Christmas #Parenting #MeaningfulChristmas #LifeLessons #ElfOnTheShelf

Why You Should Give Your Child Christmas Gifts Christmas is just around the corner, and I'm sure you're planning to make it special for your little ones! Giving your child Christmas gifts is more than just a tradition - it's a way to show them love, care, and appreciation. Here are a few reasons why Christmas gifts are essential for kids: 🟢Imagine waking up to a beautiful package by their bedside with a love note. You'll make their Christmas morning unforgettable! 🟢You're teaching them appreciation and care. When children receive gifts, they learn to value the thought and effort behind them. 🟢Christmas gifts boost their self-esteem! Receiving a gift makes children feel seen, heard, and loved, which is essential for their emotional development. 🟢It creates lifelong memories! Christmas gifts become a part of your child's holiday traditions and memories, making the season even more special. ____________________________________________ The good news is that you don't have to break a bank. The packaging and heart is all that truly matters Would you be getting your child(ren) gifts for Christmas? Tell us what you would be buying in the comments. Let's get the conversation started! #christmasgiftsforkids #parentingtips #christmasadventures

Gift #13 for parents A guilt free Christmas Guilt is all around us, it’s everywhere you go…does this sound familiar at all? Guilt for forgetting the 1 thing out of 100 things that you had to remember this week, guilt for snapping at the kids when you had absolutely nothing left to give, guilt for not making it ‘Christmassy’ enough for the kids…it’s relentless, isn’t it? After years of motherhood with guilt forever lurking in the background, I've figured out that a lot of guilt stems from the belief that we’re not good enough somehow. If we were good enough we’d remember all the things, we’d be calm all the time, we’d make it as magical as we possibly can for the Christmas season… But the thing is, we can only do so much. We can only give so much. There’s a breaking point that we all have, when it’s just not possible. It’s just that we can’t see that and make it mean that’s it’s our fault. We’re so hard on ourselves, aren’t we? It’s mid December and we’ve done enough. We’ve always been enough. Can we let ourselves off the hook for being a human who’s doing the best that we can? If we were to let go of all the guilt whenever it comes up, how free-ing would that feel? #guiltfree #gift #christmas #workingparents #workingmums

This week is all about a Cosy and Confident Christmas: It’s your guide to navigating the holidays when you're Shy or Socially Awkward. Part 1: ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS Have a think about what you want and need. How would you like to spend your time? Perhaps your perfect Christmas consists of cheesy movies, cinnamon biscuits and watching TV with your gran. Or maybe you’re more about crisp cold country walks followed by mulled wine and roasting by the fire in your local pub. Once you understand and acknowledge what works for you, then you can work on making it happen! THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS What does Christmas mean to you? What’s it all about, really? Is there a deeper purpose to all this festive stuff? Rather than fixating on your feelings of social awkwardness, connecting to the deeper meaning of Christmas can give you the strength to power through all the people stuff. For example, if Christmas is the one time the whole family comes together, then it’s worth feeling a little uncomfortable if you’re creating memories. And if Christmas is a time for giving to those less fortunate, then perhaps volunteering at the local foodbank would give you a stronger connection to your community. When we are focused on others and how we are helping them, our fears and worries seem more manageable. #ShynessJourney #QuietStrength #SelfDiscovery #NewYearNewYou #GoalSetting

This week is all about a Cosy and Confident Christmas: It’s your guide to navigating the holidays when you're Shy or Socially Awkward. Part 1: ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS Have a think about what you want and need. How would you like to spend your time? Perhaps your perfect Christmas consists of cheesy movies, cinnamon biscuits and watching TV with your gran. Or maybe you’re more about crisp cold country walks followed by mulled wine and roasting by the fire in your local pub. Once you understand and acknowledge what works for you, then you can work on making it happen! THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS What does Christmas mean to you? What’s it all about, really? Is there a deeper purpose to all this festive stuff? Rather than fixating on your feelings of social awkwardness, connecting to the deeper meaning of Christmas can give you the strength to power through all the people stuff. For example, if Christmas is the one time the whole family comes together, then it’s worth feeling a little uncomfortable if you’re creating memories. And if Christmas is a time for giving to those less fortunate, then perhaps volunteering at the local foodbank would give you a stronger connection to your community. When we are focused on others and how we are helping them, our fears and worries seem more manageable. #ShynessJourney #QuietStrength #SelfDiscovery #NewYearNewYou #GoalSetting

How is it that we claim to be good human beings, engaging in acts of kindness and generosity? I see corporate posters proclaiming their commitment to "doing great things" every day. Yet here we are, at the year-end festivities, inundated with joyful celebrations splashed across social media. Meanwhile, a real-time genocide unfolds before our eyes. How can we indulge in festive cakes and puddings while babies are starving because there’s no milk or formula to feed them? How is it that amidst the hustle of buying Christmas gifts, our brothers and sisters struggle to find clean water, a pair of shoes, a roof over their heads, or even a simple aspirin for pain relief? Let’s take a moment to reflect on our actions in contrast to the suffering around us. How do we reconcile our celebrations with the harsh realities faced by so many? It’s a call to examine our priorities and extend our humanity beyond our immediate circles, to remember that true compassion requires awareness and action, not just good intentions.

🎄✨ What Christmas Eve Means for Families: A Night of Family & Togetherness ❤️🎁 Christmas Eve is more than just the day before Christmas—it’s a magical time filled with love, tradition, and connection. For families, it holds a special place in the heart. Here’s why: 1️⃣ Cherished Traditions 🎅🕯️ Decorating Together: Families often gather to put the final touches on the Christmas tree, stringing lights and hanging ornaments that carry memories. Candlelight Services: Many families attend church services, singing carols and reflecting on the spirit of giving. Storytelling: Reading classic tales like ’Twas the Night Before Christmas creates lasting memories for kids. 2️⃣ Quality Time ❤️🎶 Game Nights: Board games or card games bring laughter and fun to the table. Movie Marathons: Watching Christmas classics like Home Alone or Elf cozied up with hot cocoa. Shared Meals: Preparing (and sneaking tastes of) holiday dishes together strengthens family bonds. 3️⃣ Acts of Giving 🤝🎁 Exchanging Gifts: Thoughtful gestures that symbolize love and appreciation for each other. Giving Back: Families often volunteer or donate to those in need, teaching children the importance of kindness. 4️⃣ Building Anticipation 🌟🎄 Setting Out Cookies for Santa: A fun ritual that keeps the magic alive for kids. Excited Whispers: Kids staying up late, eager to hear reindeer hooves on the roof. 5️⃣ Reflecting & Connecting 💫🙏 Christmas Eve is a time to pause and reflect on the blessings of the year, share stories, and create new memories with loved ones. ✨ The Magic of Christmas Eve It’s not just the gifts under the tree but the presence of family and the joy of togetherness that make this night so special. Whether it’s through laughter, traditions, or quiet reflection, Christmas Eve is a reminder of the love that binds us all. How does your family celebrate Christmas Eve? Share your traditions below! 🎅🎄 #ChristmasEve #FamilyTraditions #HolidayMagic