Dr Sibu Qhogwana

* Parents have been warned and advised against choosing careers for their children. While this comes from a good place of “wanting the best for their children”, this often creates unnecessary stress and tension between parents and children.  * The child often bears most of the stress as they can be torn between choosing their preferred career and avoiding disappointing their parents.  * Parents often get stuck in expecting their children to follow the mainstream or traditional route of establishing a career. This often involves schooling, university or college and finding employment. The challenge with this expectation is that parents often risk overlooking the child’s strengths, passion and gifts that may form a basis of a good foundation for their future career.  * Nowadays parents also sit with the challenge of not only allowing children to chose their careers, but also allowing them to choose from a very diverse and sometimes unconventional range of careers that are c...

Originally coined by Winnicot (1951) the use of a transitional object was observed in childhood development where children would often use a soft blanket or a toy as an object of self-comfort when in distress.  It is also a term and practice that is relevant as we navigate challenging life seasons. A transitional object symbolizes psychological comfort and strength during challenging and transitional periods in one’s  life. It is an object that is associated with positivity, courage and often triggers a sense of hope and mastery within us.  Examples of transitional objects are diverse and can include pictures, places, special books etc. It could also be special items that you bought for yourself that remind you of moments of serenity and peace in your life.  Discover and use your transitional object through asking yourself these questions: 1. Do you have a childhood item that you have kept that symbolizes psychological comfort and strength? 2. Any special gifts that ...