Behind the whiteboard #5 | Little Ones - Big Questions.

Small Ones. Big Questions.

There is something uniquely vulnerable about being responsible for a tiny human.

Not just because babies and children can become sick quickly, but because parenting is often carried out while exhausted, overstimulated, second-guessing yourself, and trying to make decisions under pressure when your brain went to bed 4 hours ago. Add conflicting advice, social media panic, and well-meaning opinions from everyone around you, and it can feel overwhelming fast.

This weekend, Claire delivered our new “Little Ones, and Big Questions” session for parents and caregivers. She shared the things that matter most in such a practical and low stress, sensible way. Claire is both a retired emergency department doctor and a parent herself, bringing medically accurate information delivered with compassion and realism.

As educators, we never want to overwhelm people. As a parent you don't need an emergency medicine lecture at 2am with a screaming child. You need practical pathways, reassurance, and the ability to recognise when something needs escalation. That is exactly what Claire delivers.

The questions we heard most often were the ones parents were almost embarrassed to ask.

What does worsening breathing actually look like?

When should I be worried?

What can I do while waiting for help?

What is normal childhood illness and what is not?

How do I stay calm enough to respond?

For me personally, this work matters deeply.

I still remember sitting on the floor with three crying babies. One was three months old. The twins had just had their first birthday. Nothing I did seemed to help, and eventually I sat there and cried right along with them. It was too hard.

They look all cute below, but it was rough some days.

I also remember living overseas, isolated, not speaking the language well, with very little support and an autistic child who needed more than I knew how to give at the time. Add an illness to that and things got grim pretty quick. There were moments I felt completely overwhelmed by circumstance. But I also knew no one could change it but me. I didn't suddenly become a superhero super parent. I needed support so I didn't stay stuck in helplessness. I needed a village. We all do.

That experience never left me. It shaped everything about how I think about teaching now. People learn best when they feel safe enough to think. They remember more when information is practical and emotionally grounded. And under stress, we fall back on what feels clear, familiar, and achievable.

That is what 'Small Ones, Big Questions' course is designed to be. A safe space for big questions, and practical answers.

Next class date: 20 June 2026

Venue: La Vida Centre, Upper Riccarton

Time: 10 am to 2 pm.

You can Book Here