The Contented Child, Child Wellbeing Consultancy

The Contented Child, Child Wellbeing Consultancy Little Minds, Big Feelings, Better Tools. Visit our Resource Store at www.thecontentedchild.co.uk.

Supporting parents/carers, professionals and educators to nurture emotional wellbeing in young minds with resources, training and 1-1 support. The Contented Child is a Kent-based company that offers parents and professionals a wide range of training, consultancy and resources-based packages on nurturing the whole child. The Contented Child was founded by Niki Green whilst working within the Kent S

pecialist Teaching and Learning Service. Sharing a talent and passion for developing nurturing and inclusive practices within the educational, work and home environments. The Contented Child offers

specialised training for parents and schools around ASC Awareness, Behaviour/Emotional Management delivered by skilled professionals

1-1 support for young people

a wide range of resources to support families and professionals

Any queries you may have about our service, please do not hesitate to contact us.

LAUNCHING A NEW FREE BITESIZE GUIDE TO.... See visual for download details.If your child struggles with writing, it’s ea...
13/06/2026

LAUNCHING A NEW FREE BITESIZE GUIDE TO....

See visual for download details.

If your child struggles with writing, it’s easy to assume they’re not trying… but often, they’re trying harder than anyone realises. Dysgraphia is a learning difference that affects writing skills, including handwriting, spelling, and organising thoughts on paper. For many children, writing isn’t just tricky — it’s physically and mentally exhausting. What looks like avoidance or lack of effort is often frustration, overwhelm, or fatigue.

When we understand dysgraphia, we stop pushing harder and start supporting smarter. Because behind the messy writing is a child who still has ideas, intelligence, and so much to say — they just need the right support to show it.

Autism Guide Coming MondayAutism is one of the most misunderstood neurodevelopmental differences, and many parents are l...
12/06/2026

Autism Guide Coming Monday

Autism is one of the most misunderstood neurodevelopmental differences, and many parents are left trying to make sense of behaviours, sensory needs, communication differences, masking, emotional regulation, and everyday challenges without clear guidance.

On Monday, I’ll be sharing A Bitesize Guide to Autism – a practical, easy-to-understand resource designed to help parents, carers, and professionals better understand autistic children and young people. It covers what autism is, common signs, how it may feel for the child, support strategies for home and school, and key information about assessment and diagnosis.

Whether you’re at the start of your journey, waiting for an assessment, supporting an autistic child, or simply wanting to learn more, this guide aims to provide compassionate, evidence-informed information that puts understanding before judgement.

Make sure you’re following the page so you don’t miss it on Monday.

A Child’s Voice: “I Have ARFID, I Want You to Know…”Children with ARFID are often misunderstood. From the outside, it ca...
12/06/2026

A Child’s Voice: “I Have ARFID, I Want You to Know…”

Children with ARFID are often misunderstood. From the outside, it can look like stubbornness, defiance, or simply being a picky eater. But beneath the surface, many children are experiencing genuine fear, sensory overwhelm, anxiety, or physical discomfort around food.

This visual shares the words many children with ARFID might say if they could fully explain their experience. It is a reminder that food struggles are rarely about choice and that patience, understanding, and support are often far more helpful than pressure.

When we listen to the child’s voice, we move away from judgement and towards connection. We begin to understand that what looks like refusal may actually be a child doing the very best they can with something that feels overwhelming.

See the visual for download instructions if you would like a copy of our free Bitesize Guide to ARFID.

“Just make them eat it.”“If they’re hungry enough, they’ll eat.”“They’re just being fussy.”Families of children with ARF...
12/06/2026

“Just make them eat it.”

“If they’re hungry enough, they’ll eat.”

“They’re just being fussy.”

Families of children with ARFID hear these comments all the time.

The problem is that many people mistake ARFID for ordinary picky eating. What they don’t see is the anxiety, sensory overwhelm, fear, and distress that can sit behind every mealtime.

When we understand the difference between myths and reality, we stop blaming children and start supporting them.

In this carousel, we’re exploring some of the most common misconceptions about ARFID and the truths every parent, educator, and family member should know.

If you’d like our ARFID Bitesize Guide, see the final image.















Autism and 'picky eating' get talked about like it’s a phase… or a behaviour problem to fix. But for many autistic child...
12/06/2026

Autism and 'picky eating' get talked about like it’s a phase… or a behaviour problem to fix. But for many autistic children, food can genuinely feel overwhelming, unpredictable, and unsafe — and that changes everything about how we need to support them.

Based upon recent research (e.g. Mathew et al., 2022) showing that children on the autism spectrum are significantly more likely to have feeding difficulties, reduced dietary variety and lower diet quality compared to non-autistic peers, it’s clear that eating behaviours in autism are less about mere 'pickiness' and more about sensory, neurological and regulatory challenges that need targeted support.

In this visual, I’m breaking down what’s really going on underneath food refusal and restricted eating — and how we can respond in ways that protect trust, reduce stress, and build gentle progress over time. See visual for download instructions.

If your child eats only a handful of foods, mealtimes can feel exhausting.You may have been told they’re being fussy, st...
12/06/2026

If your child eats only a handful of foods, mealtimes can feel exhausting.

You may have been told they’re being fussy, stubborn, spoiled, or simply need firmer boundaries. But for children with ARFID, eating difficulties often run much deeper than food preferences.

ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) can involve sensory sensitivities, anxiety, fear of choking or vomiting, low appetite, or overwhelming reactions to certain foods. What looks like refusal from the outside is often a child trying to manage feelings of distress and stay within what feels safe.

Supporting a child with ARFID isn’t about forcing them to eat. It’s about reducing pressure, building trust, understanding their experience, and helping them gradually feel safer around food.

These 5 strategies can help create a more supportive path forward for both you and your child.

“She’s just a fussy eater.”Many parents of children with ARFID hear this over and over again.But ARFID is not the same a...
12/06/2026

“She’s just a fussy eater.”

Many parents of children with ARFID hear this over and over again.

But ARFID is not the same as typical picky eating.

A child with ARFID isn’t refusing food to be difficult, manipulative, or stubborn. They may be experiencing intense sensory sensitivities, anxiety around eating, fear of choking or vomiting, or genuine distress when faced with unfamiliar foods.

What looks like picky eating on the outside can actually be a child whose nervous system experiences food very differently.

Understanding the difference matters because children need support, not judgement.

This post explores the difference between what ARFID looks like from the outside and what may really be happening underneath.

To SAVE, click on the image, tap the three dots, and choose Save.

If you’d like our Bitesize Guide to ARFID and Feeding Differences, comment ARFID below.















Many loving parents were smacked as children and went on to become caring adults.That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t look at ...
12/06/2026

Many loving parents were smacked as children and went on to become caring adults.

That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t look at what newer research is telling us.

A major UK study (Source: UCL / Nuffield Foundation Research Report 2026) has added to the growing evidence that physical punishment is linked with poorer outcomes for children. This isn’t about judging parents or creating shame. It’s about understanding how children learn best and using the knowledge we have today.

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Were you smacked as a child? Has your view on smacking changed since becoming a parent? What are your thoughts on smacking? Tell us in the comments below.

FREE DOWNLOAD: A Bitesize Guide to ARFIDARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) is often misunderstood as simp...
12/06/2026

FREE DOWNLOAD: A Bitesize Guide to ARFID

ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) is often misunderstood as simply being “fussy eating”, but for many children and young people it can have a significant impact on nutrition, wellbeing, family life, and everyday functioning.

This practical Bitesize Guide explores:
What ARFID is and how it differs from typical picky eating
Common signs and characteristics
How ARFID may feel from the child’s perspective
Strategies to support children at home and at school
Assessment pathways and where to seek help
Key messages for parents, carers, and professionals

Whether you’re supporting a child who struggles with food variety, experiences sensory sensitivities around eating, or feels anxious about certain foods, this guide provides a helpful starting point.

See the visual for instructions on how to receive your free copy.

Many people have heard the term ARFID, but far fewer understand what it actually means for the child living with it ever...
12/06/2026

Many people have heard the term ARFID, but far fewer understand what it actually means for the child living with it every day.

ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) is not about being stubborn, manipulative, or simply “fussy” with food. For many children, eating can feel overwhelming because of sensory sensitivities, anxiety, fear of unpleasant experiences, or a nervous system that perceives food as unsafe.

The result is often a child who relies on a very small number of safe foods, becomes distressed around unfamiliar foods, and experiences mealtimes very differently from their peers. Families can find themselves feeling worried, frustrated, and unsure how to help.

That’s why I’ve created my new Bitesize Guide to ARFID — a practical, easy-to-read resource designed to help parents, carers, and educators understand what ARFID is, why it happens, how it affects daily life, and the supportive approaches that can make a real difference.

Understanding always comes before change. When we see the child behind the eating difficulty, we can replace pressure with support and blame with compassion.

For a copy of our Bitesize Guide to ARFID, see instructions in the visual.

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