Tanya Forster Psychologist

Tanya Forster Psychologist Tanya is a Psychologist and the CEO of Macquarie Health Collective

05/06/2026

BUT THE MELTDOWNS ARE SO EXHAUSTING!!!

How can I possibly calmly stay with my child?!

My latest blog is up ✨ Find out how to recover from the sting and respond in ways that actually help.
04/06/2026

My latest blog is up ✨

Find out how to recover from the sting and respond in ways that actually help.

03/06/2026

Fighting over toys is one of the most common sibling conflicts.

And it can feel easier to just step in and decide:
“You have it.”
“Now it’s your turn.”

But when we always solve it for them, we miss an opportunity.

These are the moments where children can start to learn:
- problem-solving
- turn-taking
- considering another person

Instead of jumping straight in, try slowing it down:

“I can see we have two kids and one green monster truck…
I wonder what we could do?”

This keeps you present and supportive, while giving your children space to think.

You don’t have to fix it every time.

Sometimes, your role is to guide.

Save this for the next toy argument 💛

01/06/2026

When your child hits you, it can feel especially confronting.

But the response stays the same:
Calm. Clear. Firm.

“I’m not going to let you hit me.”

You might put your hand up, or gently move their body away.

If they’re very overwhelmed, you might move with them to a quieter space:

“I’m going to take you to your room. You’re not in trouble - I’m here.”

This isn’t a time-out.

It’s co-regulation 💛

26/05/2026

The magic of “I wonder…” ✨

25/05/2026

We want our kids to “catch our calm”, but it is so hard to stay calm ourselves!

One strategy to help you survive those tough moments 💛

22/05/2026

Steps to help your child calm in those tricky meltdowns ✨

20/05/2026

If your child is hitting or really dysregulated in some way, sometimes safety means moving them to another room.

To be clear, this is not a time out.

It is not a punishment.

It is a regulation strategy.

We might pick our child up and say “I’m going to carry you into your room. You are not in trouble. I am right here.”

We would then stay with them in their room while they ride out the wave.

Only when a child is regulated, can we help them to reflect and learn the things we want them to learn 💛

19/05/2026

Hitting isn’t okay.

But it’s also not the whole story.

When children hit, it’s often because they are overwhelmed, frustrated, or struggling to cope in that moment.

💛 Behaviour is communication.

If we respond with shame, we often miss the opportunity to understand what’s underneath.

And understanding is what helps change behaviour over time.

We can hold a clear boundary and stay calm, connected, and curious.

Both matter.

14/05/2026

When siblings are hitting, everything can escalate very quickly.

And in those moments, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or unsure what to do.

So we come back to one clear priority:
💛 Safety.

We move in quickly, step between them, and calmly say:
“I’m not going to let you hit.”

This isn’t about being harsh.

It’s about showing your child that you are the sturdy leader - bigger, stronger, wiser, and kind.

You’re setting a boundary that keeps everyone safe.

Everything else can come after that.

Save this for the moments that feel intense 💛

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165 Brisbane Street
Dubbo, NSW
2830

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