Linda Westbrook, Author at UPower Presentations

18 Feb 2026

Kids Need to Love Themselves Every Day

Many people celebrate Valentine’s Day – a day to appreciate the people you love.

But there’s a celebration we often miss: teaching kids to love themselves.

Loving themselves isn’t about arrogance or thinking they’re better than others.

It’s about knowing they still matter:

After a mistake
During big emotions
On hard days

It’s a powerful, unwavering belief that who they are is enough.

As parents and educators, you play a key role in teaching kids to love themselves by:

Remembering a mistake doesn’t make them “bad”
Pausing instead of reacting
Listening instead of fixing
Noticing effort, not just results

This week, look for small moments to remind your child/student:

You matter
You’re still worthy
You don’t have to earn my love

This is what I know: These moments send a powerful message. Kids begin to see they are valued for who they are, not just what they do. That belief becomes the voice they carry with them, guiding their confidence, choices, and long-term emotional resilience.

Download a ‘You Matter’ worksheet for kids

Until next time…

4 Feb 2026

Resilience Isn’t What You Think

Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back from what happened.

It’s about bouncing back from how it made your child feel.

When kids face challenges – a friend is unkind, a game is lost, or a mistake is made – the hardest part to manage is often their emotional reaction, not the event itself.

If a setback doesn’t trigger strong feelings, a child may move on quickly. But if it sparks anger, sadness, embarrassment, or frustration, they’re now navigating not only the circumstance, but also the intense emotions inside their body and brain.

That’s why kids emotional resilience isn’t about ignoring feelings or pushing them away. It’s about noticing emotions, understanding them, and learning how to respond in a way that helps them move forward.

I’ve created 3 kid-friendly resources you can download to help them:

Reflect on what they’re feeling (elephant poster)
Notice the emotional impact of challenges (body poster)
Practice moving forward with confidence, compassion, and clarity instead of getting stuck in the emotion (find your calm poster)

This is what I know: Each time a child pays attention to their feelings and responds calmly and clearly, they’re building skills that will help them handle the next challenge with more ease and confidence – a key part of kids emotional resilience in everyday life.

Until next time…

21 Jan 2026

Emotions Impact Mental Health

Talking about mental health is essential. It is impacted by the emotions we experience.

We often don’t realize how much emotions impact mental health.

Our experiences might look different, but we’ve all felt anger, sadness, worry, frustration, disappointment, and overwhelm.

And still, when someone asks, “How are you doing?” many of us reply, “I’m fine.”

Not because it’s true, but because letting others know how you feel can sometimes bring guilt, shame, or the fear of being a burden.

Asking for support takes courage and strength. You don’t have to do this alone.

These powerful messages are displayed in my son’s room – reminders I also see every day:

It’s okay to feel.
It’s okay to ask for help.
It’s okay to not have it all figured out.

This is what I know: Your emotions matter. Your mental health matters. You matter.

Until next time…

11 Dec 2025

Mindset Phrases for Kids That Work

We all want our kids to feel confident and capable.

Sometimes we tell them things like believe in yourself, try harder, or be more determined and they’re left thinking, OK… but how do I actually do that? That’s where mindset phrases for kids come in – simple, usable words that help strengthen their inner voice when they need it most.

Anytime – before school, during homework, in the car, or when emotions start to take over – have them pick one phrase to say:

I can do hard things.
I’ve got this.
I am determined.
I will find a way.
I am calm and focused.

Think of these as mindset mini-workouts. Quick, simple, powerful. Each time they say one, their inner voice grows stronger.

Make it playful – robot voice, superhero voice, opera singer voice or even a silly family chant. The more fun I make it, the more my son actually dives in and repeats the very mindset phrases for kids I want him to use.

This is what I know: You’re not just cheering them on – you’re giving them a mindset tool that helps them rise through any moment.

For more tips on resilience, mindset and everyday ‘life stuff’ follow me on Instagram

Until next time…

26 Nov 2025

Naming ‘the elephant’ Builds Connection

Last week, I walked into my presentation with a bandage on my forehead. Before I started, I told the students what happened: I had tripped, hit my forehead, and ended up with a small cut.

Why did I start there? Because otherwise it would have been the elephant in the room and kids always notice ‘the elephant’. If we don’t explain, they fill in the gaps with their own guesses, worries, or assumptions.

Sharing what’s happening shows kids that it’s okay to notice, ask questions and share how they feel – the keys to building connection with kids in everyday interactions.

Ways to Connect
1. Name it: Tell them what’s happening when they notice something.
2. Keep it simple: A short, honest explanation is enough.
3. Invite conversation: Encourage questions and let them share their feelings.

When you do this, you are showing children that they can trust their observations and their feelings.

This is what I know: They will learn they are not alone, that feelings matter, and that mistakes are part of life – all essential for building connection with kids and helping them grow into compassionate, confident, and resilient people.

Until next time…

12 Nov 2025

‘It wasn’t me – it was them.’

We’ve all heard those words.

Taking responsibility isn’t always easy for kids. It can stir up uncomfortable emotions — shame, frustration, embarrassment, sadness, and sometimes even pride.

It’s much easier for kids to point the finger somewhere else.

Here’s the truth: When kids take responsibility, they also take back their power — the power to grow, to shift, and to become their best selves.

It’s about owning what they can control — their choices. That’s where change happens. That’s where confidence is built.

Here’s something I use with my son when he says, “It wasn’t me.” I pause and calmly ask, “What emotion is making it hard to accept responsibility?”

Here’s the bigger picture: when kids take responsibility for their feelings and choices, they stop being victims of their circumstances. They become the authors of their own story — a story where accountability builds character, confidence, and self-respect.

This is what I know: Yes, it’s a process. And yes, it will take time. But every step toward ownership is a step toward confidence, resilience, and understanding themselves a little better.

Until next time…

30 Oct 2025

Gratitude in the Unexpected

When you choose to only focus on what you expected to achieve or what you wanted to occur, a mindset shift for gratitude helps you notice the learning and opportunities that can come from life’s detours.

When I was travelling to BC, I expected that my holiday would be stress free – a time to relax and have fun.

Then the detour happened…my purse with all my ID was stolen. I was sad, angry, disappointed and overwhelmed.

Awhile later my mum suggested I write 3 things I could be grateful for from this disheartening incident.

I was shocked. What could I possibly appreciate?

I decided to give it a try.

I took pen to paper and wrote:

1. The kindness and generosity of the people around me who wanted to replace the items in my purse.

2. My brother-in-law (a police officer) immediately started to find ways to get me new identification so I could board the plane home.

3. A fun shopping trip with my mum to replace my purse.

When I chose to focus on what I appreciated rather than what I expected, a mindset shift for gratitude made it easier to let go of the tough emotions I was experiencing, and I was able to bounce back much quicker than I normally would.

Next time your child is facing a challenging time or a tough emotion, ask them to write or tell you 3 things they are grateful for to help them bounce back to move forward.

This is what I know: A mindset shift for gratitude works – not only for kids but also adults!

Until next time…

15 Oct 2025

More Than Just Trophies

In my last newsletter, I wrote about celebrating small wins for adults – those little moments that make life feel lighter, more meaningful, and remind us we’re making progress.

I began to wonder how kids see wins in their own lives, so I asked my son about small wins. He looked at me and said, “I don’t know what you mean.”

I decided to try a different question: “What’s a big win?”

At first, he said, “Winning a hockey tournament.” Then, after a pause, he changed his answer: “Having fun.”

That made me realize – this is exactly why the benefits of play for kids are so important.

For kids, it’s freedom, curiosity, and connection. It’s laughter with friends, trying new skills, and discovering what excites them. It’s the courage to stumble, get back up, and try again without fear of failure. These moments help them manage their emotions and take a break from life’s pressures, giving them space to recharge.

When children are fully engaged in what they love, they experience the benefits of play for kids firsthand – building confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging. Joy, curiosity, and playfulness shape their character, friendships, and how they see the world.

This is what I know: Next time you see kids laughing, playing, or absorbed in what they love, remember – these aren’t just playtime moments. They’re opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. These are the big wins that don’t come with trophies.

Until next time…

1 Oct 2025

Power of Small Wins – Why You’re Winning Without Realizing It

You most likely notice the big wins, but are you seeing the small ones?

The big wins are easy to spot…finishing a challenging project, hitting a professional goal, or successfully navigating a tough situation. Exciting, yes. But it’s the small wins – the everyday choices to stay patient, focused, and calm under pressure that shapes who you are. This is the true power of small wins.

These choices contribute to your personal growth and build your resilience over time.

Try This: End your day by reflecting on one small win. It’s a simple step toward self-improvement and noticing everyday victories.

It could be something as simple as:

Taking a deep breath instead of reacting in frustration
Following through on a task even when motivation is low
Listening fully, even when you’re tired
Encouraging a child or student who’s struggling

Celebrating these small wins is about honouring your everyday efforts and noticing the moments that matter – a practice that strengthens your mindset and shows why mindset matters.

Sometimes a quiet acknowledgment to yourself, like ‘I handled that well,’ can be more powerful than any applause.

This is what I know: These small, often unnoticed moments may seem ordinary, but every effort, every patient response, every deliberate choice, all add up. That’s the power of small wins in action – helping you keep going and growing.

Until next time…

17 Sep 2025

Unlock Your Child’s Confidence in Seconds

A lot of kids tell me they’re nervous to read out loud or speak in front of their class. Many feel scared, anxious, or embarrassed. You might be wondering how to help your child build confidence in these moments. One student’s experience after my presentation is a perfect example of how small actions can make a big impact.

After the presentation, a young girl confided that she had to give a speech to her classmates next period – but didn’t feel confident enough to do it.

I shared a simple strategy: ‘Stand tall, shoulders back, head high.’

She promised to give it a try.

A little while later, she excitedly told me, “It worked! It made so much difference.”

That moment reminded me – the way we carry ourselves doesn’t just change how others see us. It also changes how we feel about ourselves.

Standing tall sends the brain a powerful message: ‘I’m ready. I can do this.’

It’s a small act that helps kids step into courage in moments that feel overwhelming

Here’s how you can help your child build confidence:

Pause & Focus – Before a test, game, or presentation, guide them to repeat the phrase: ‘Stand tall, shoulders back, head high.’
Boost Their Courage – Ask them to repeat the above phrase until it becomes their mindset.
Practice Together – Stand tall side by side and notice the energy shift together.

This is what I know: Confidence often begins with the impact of one simple choice — how we choose to stand.

Until next time…