Victoria Benn (mum influencer and wife to professional boxer Conor Benn) and Chelsea Meehan (creator of other Be You Kiddo books) have come together to create an interactive book called, ‘Feeling It All: A Child and Parent Guide to Emotions and Feelings’. The thoughtfully crafted guide aims to help children aged 7-11 and their parents explore and understand emotions in a fun, engaging way. Absolutely Mama found out more about the book and why it’s so important to focus on mental health for children of this age below.
Why mindfulness, journalling, and practices like breathwork can help children to process their emotions…
Could you tell us a little bit about the book?
Feeling It All is a beautifully designed resource for children aged 7-11, aimed at helping them navigate and understand their emotions. It’s packed with tools like affirmations, stories, and practical exercises that empower children to recognise and manage their feelings. At its core, the book promotes emotional intelligence and mindfulness in a way that’s both fun and approachable, giving kids the skills to build resilience and confidence as they grow.
How did the two of you come together and what made you want to write it?
We connected through a shared passion for children’s emotional well-being. We realised that there was a gap in accessible resources that addressed emotional growth for kids in this specific age group. Both being mums, we are both so passionate about how important emotional awareness is from a young age. Together we envisioned a book that would not only educate but truly resonate with children and parent/caregivers.
Why do you think it’s important for kids aged 7-11 to develop mindfulness skills at this stage of their emotional development?
This age is a pivotal time when children begin to experience more complex emotions as they navigate school, friendships, and the world around them. They’re also at a stage where they’re forming lifelong habits and beliefs about themselves. Developing mindfulness skills at this age helps them recognise and process their emotions in a healthy way, reducing stress and anxiety while boosting self-esteem. It equips them with tools to respond thoughtfully to challenges rather than react impulsively, which can be transformative not only in childhood but throughout life.
Emotions can be difficult to navigate, especially for children. How did you approach breaking down complex emotions into something digestible for kids in a way that they could understand and relate to?
We focused on making emotions relatable by using storytelling, visuals, and simple language. We also included fun, hands-on activities to encourage self-reflection, like journaling or drawing their feelings. A key part of the book is teaching children to recognise how emotions show up in their bodies, giving them tools like breath work to calm themselves or boost their energy. By breaking emotions into bite-sized, relatable pieces, we aimed to make them less overwhelming and more empowering.
Finally, what advice would you give to parents or caregivers who are looking to support their children’s emotional growth but aren’t sure where to begin?
Start by creating a safe space for your child to talk about their feelings without fear of judgment. Use simple questions like, “What made you feel happy today?” or “Was there anything that upset you?” to open up the conversation. Introducing daily affirmations or simple breathwork exercises can also be a great way to help kids build emotional awareness and calm their minds. Resources like Feeling It All can provide practical tools and activities for parents/caregivers and children to explore together. Most importantly, lead by example—showing your own willingness to talk about emotions teaches children that it’s ok to feel and express themselves.
Feeling It All: A Child and Parent Guide to Emotions and Feelings is available here.
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