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Friendships can be messy. These interactive workshops help children navigate them: how to pause before reacting, get curious instead of assuming, repair when they've hurt someone, and work out what they're okay with.
Does This Sound Like Your Child?
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They meet someone new and quickly decide: "They're weird. I don't like them."
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A friend doesn't reply, and they're sure it's on purpose.
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They say something hurtful in the heat of the moment, then: "I didn't mean it!"
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"But I said sorry!" and they can't understand why their friend is still upset.
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One letdown, and suddenly they're questioning the whole friendship.
Every preteen goes through this (and if we're honest, don't most adults too?) Friendships are where children practise some of life's most important skills, and they don't come with instructions.
What Your Child Will Learn
Over six playful weeks, your child will learn:
⚓ Know what makes a good friend (to them)
⚓ Catch themselves judging too fast
⚓ Pause before they react
⚓ Repair, not just saying 'sorry'
⚓ Decide what they're okay with
⚓ Be the friend they'd want to have
Made With Kids, Not Just For Them
For over three years, the preteens I mentor have been bringing me their real friendship moments.
From fallouts and confusion to "but they said…" or "I said sorry!"
I LOVE these moments because every single one is a life skill waiting to grow.
This series brings it all together, so that children get to learn it side by side.
Realising they're not the only ones going through it, is where half the magic lies (and yes, it's super FUN too!)
My Approach To Teaching & Learning
1. Play
Games, storytelling, role-play, experiments, quizzes, creativity and meeting in their worlds.
2. Discover
Children uncover the insight themselves through the activity, instead of being lectured.
3. Practise
Each week builds on the last, with prompts to keep practising at home.
Testimonials
She now calls Lara her feelings teacher. If only all teachers were feelings teachers. She made the learning feel natural and playful, not forced.
And quietly, as an adult, I learnt a lot too - especially around how we talk about feelings, and helping our kids find better words for what they’re really experiencing. It really was something special 💛
~ Tarryn, South Africa
The power of your content, your approach, and most of all, the magic you bring to the sessions.
And as a therapist, I see every day what can happen when kids don’t get this kind of emotional education early on. What you’re offering is more than valuable - it’s foundational."
~ Gauri, Qatar
Is This Right For Your Child?
⚓ Is your 9–12-year-old finding friendships more complicated?
⚓ Would you love a little less friendship drama?
⚓ Do you want them to pause, repair and speak up, not just "be nice"?
⚓ Is your child sensitive, shy, neurodivergent or full of big feelings?
If you're nodding, then you're in the right place. 💛
This might not be the right fit if:
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You're looking for someone to tell your child who to be friends with
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You want a quick fix without any conversations at home
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Your child is going through serious bullying or distress that needs one-to-one support. In that case, reach out and we can talk about what would help most.
Logistics
WHAT'S INCLUDED
🎈 6 live, playful sessions on Zoom: one hour, once a week
👥 A small crew: maximum 10 children per group
⚖️ Trust Court, Judge Lara, Character Lab and other activities you won't find in a textbook
🌬️ Breathwork & mindful moments to help them pause and reset
🛋️ Come as you are: beanbags, couches, snacks and wiggles all welcome
💌 A weekly parent insight & at-home support to keep the learning going at home, in a way that fits your family's values
DATES & TIMES
📅 3 November – 9 December 2026
🗓️ Pick your day: Tuesdays or Wednesdays
🕔 5pm South Africa · 6pm Bahrain, Saudi Arabia & Qatar · 7pm UAE
Pricing
FULL RATE
ZAR6,500 per child
approx. US$395 / EUR350 / QAR1450
NB: Payments should reflect the full amount in ZAR.
SUPPORTED RATE
I believe financial circumstances shouldn't be a barrier to growth. If my standard rate would place a real strain on your financial stability, particularly if you don't have access to savings or investments, you're welcome to choose my supported rate of ZAR4,500. No explanation is needed. I trust your judgement of your needs.
A limited number of supported places are available in each group.
ZAR4,500 per child
approx. US$275 / EUR240 / QAR1000
NB: Payments should reflect the full amount in ZAR.
PAYMENT OPTIONS:
All payments should reflect the full amount in ZAR.
Pay via Wise
The simplest, lowest-cost option for international payments.
New to Wise? Your first transfer is fee-free [click here to sign up]
Pay by Card
Visa, Mastercard and American Express accepted.
🔒 Card payments are processed securely through Peach Payments, a trusted South African payment gateway.
Scholarships
If the supported rate is still out of reach but you are ready to dive into this series, I offer a limited number of full and partial scholarships. Because these are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, please register early.
How to apply:
Select the 'scholarship' option during registration.
Recipients will be notified by 27 October.
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Hello, I'm Lara
Educator, facilitator, and children’s mentor with over a decade of experience in education and a lifetime of doing my own inner work, healing and growth every single day.
I'm a qualified school teacher and children's yoga teacher, and I've taught everywhere from a rural South African school without electricity to high-tech classrooms in the Middle East. Since 2023, I've worked privately with families as a children's mentor, alongside my group workshops.
As a highly sensitive, neurodivergent person, I know firsthand what it’s like to feel total nervous system overwhelm and to desperately want answers and tools that actually work for me.
What I’ve learned is that nervous system support works best when it is simple, creative, and playful instead of perfection-seeking, especially when life feels messy. I focus on holistic support, compassionate connection and don’t do overcomplexity, blame or shame, because life already has enough of those as it is.
I’m wildly passionate about this work because it’s ultimately harm prevention, for kids and adults alike. When we build a steadier nervous system, we interrupt harmful emotional patterns in our bodies, relationships, families, communities, and environments.
Everything I do with children has one golden thread: self-awareness. Because you can learn every friendship skill in the world, but if you're flooded with big feelings and don't realise it, you're not going to be able to access them.
Common Questions Parents Ask
Is this therapy?
No. It's a playful, experiential learning space. I'm an educator and mentor, not a therapist.
Does my child need to be struggling with friendships to join?
Not at all. Every preteen has friendship ups and downs. This series helps them navigate them with more awareness and confidence.
What if my child is shy?
There are lots of ways to take part: games, drawing, chat and small moments of sharing. No one is put on the spot.
What if my child is neurodivergent?
You're in the right place. The space is neurodivergent-affirming, and activities are designed so every child can take part in their own way.
Do parents join the sessions?
Sessions are for children. You'll receive a short weekly insight so you can support the learning at home.
What happens after I register?
Three quick steps, under 5 minutes: fill in a short form, make your payment, and choose your group (Tuesday or Wednesday). You'll get an email confirmation and reminders before each session.
What if my child can no longer attend or misses a session?
Payments are non-refundable. If unforeseen circumstances mean your child can't take part, let me know before 20 October, and with supporting evidence I'll consider a credit towards a future series. Missed sessions can't be made up, but you'll still receive that week's parent insight so your child can catch up. Sessions aren't recorded, to protect the children's privacy.
