Holly Marlow

On the train home now after giving a talk at the Compass Social Work conference, about how to talk to children about foster care, kinship care and adoption! Met some great people and had some interesting discussions. So glad I've stumbled into this unexpectedly fulfilling "job" that doesn't really feel much like work at all. . #worldsocialworkday #socialworkmonth #socialwork #socialworker #socialworkers #fostercare #specialguardianship #lifestorybook #lifestorywork #fostering #kinshipcare #adoption #lovemyjob #smallbusiness #dowhatyoulove https://www.instagram.com/p/CqBA1OJIS-H/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

It's #worldsocialworkday and I can't think of anything more appropriate I could be doing today! I'm off to the UK's biggest #socialwork convention to talk to #socialworkers about how to talk to children about #fostercare, #specialguardianship and #adoption! I'll be talking about how to go beyond the #lifestorybook when doing #lifestorywork and how to talk to other children in the #family and support network, about adoption, #fostering and #kinshipcare. https://www.instagram.com/p/CqAWAZNs6iI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Cousins at the Mothers' Day gathering hosted by my fabulous sister! Thank you, @suzygarland ❤️ . #cousins #cousinsmakethebestfriends #cousinsbyadoptionfriendsbychoice #cousinsbyadoption #cousingoals #cousinen #kusinen #vetter #family #wearefamily #wirsindfamilie #familie #familienleben #familia #familleadoptive #liebemachtfamilie https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp_KbMBsT-p/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Mothers' Day has been a tough one so far (Jake's quite dysregulated, because I left him yesterday to go to an escape room with some friends), but this drawing on the envelope of my card from Zoe put a smile on my face. 🥰 Hope Mothers' Day is kind to you all! . #mothersday #parenting #adoption #attachment #attachmentdisorder #parentingrealities #honestparenthood #honestparenting #dysregulation #dysregulated #wearefamily https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp96n9usJTZ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Itchiest bracelet I've ever worn, but Zoe gave it to me with such love! 😍 Will need to change into a longer sleeved top to wear under it! . #parenting #parentingmoments #livingmybestlife #wearefamily https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp7CfyCMdvG/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

He's definitely, absolutely, totally not still sleepy... 😂🙈 . #parenthumor #parentinghumor #parentingwithhumor #parenthumour #parentinghumour #parentingwithhumour #momhumor #mumhumour #momhumour #parenting #adoption https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp7AbdRs2fq/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Dinnertime with the boy on my lap, because he was feeling overtired and emotional. Honestly, I was so touched out, I initially wanted to say "no, you need to sit on your own chair," but I'm glad I didn't. He's a snuggly little thing, and I'm lucky I get to be his Mum. I know everyone says it, but it's going too fast. ❤️ . #grateful #honestparenting #honestparenthood #parentingstruggles #parentingrealities #sensoryoverload #gentleparenting #gentleparent #therapeuticparenting #therapeuticparent #wecouldhavemissedthis #livingmybestlife https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp5xlijMKGN/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Made sun-catchers with the children today, like some sort of wholesome crafty lady. Is this how midlife crises start? Will I be eating kale next? Exercising more? For the love of all things caffeinated, would someone please organise an intervention before this gets out of control?! . #parenthumor #parentinghumor #parentingwithhumor #parenthumour #parentinghumour #parentingwithhumour #momhumor #mumhumour #momhumour #parentingmemes #parenting #adoption #honestparenthood #parentingrealities https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp5wqvpsxnM/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

These two were so adorable watching the squirrels in the garden together this morning 😍 (before Zoe went and got changed because we remembered it was a non-uniform day 😂🙈) . #siblings #wearefamily #attachment #attachmentbuilding #attachmentdisorder #wecouldhavemissedthis #adoptionbuiltus #lovemakesafamily https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp5LFBsswRI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Forgot about non-uniform day til after Zoe got dressed 😂🙈 . #facepalm #mumfail #momfail #parentingfail #parenthumor #parentinghumor #parentingwithhumor #parenthumour #parentinghumour #parentingwithhumour #momhumor #mumhumour #momhumour #parentingmemes #parenting #honestparenthood #parentingrealities https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp4fnEgsJMt/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Sometimes parenting is remarkably similar to being a climbing frame 🤣 . #dadlife #parenthumor #parentinghumor #parentingwithhumor #parenthumour #parentinghumour #parentingwithhumour #humour #humor #momhumor #mumhumour #momhumour #parentingmemes #parenting #adoption #adoptivefamily #wecouldhavemissedthis https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp23PTSMsjR/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

So excited to give a seminar at the Compass Jobs Fair Social Work Innovations Conference next week! Come and say hello if you'll be there! I'll be in the Collaborate Room from 1:10-1:50, talking about strategies for talking to children about foster care, kinship care and adoption. If you haven't got your (free!) ticket yet, there's still time to sign up! https://www.compassjobsfair.com/Events/Birmingham/Book-Tickets . #socialwork #socialworkmonth #socialworkresources #socialworker #socialworkmonth2023 #socialworktoolkit #socialworkreadinglist #birmingham #adoption #fostercare #kinshipcare #specialguardianship https://www.instagram.com/p/CpxsHpyMD1Z/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

"Higher, higher! Up to the sky!" 😍 . #sensoryseeker #sensoryseeking #sensorystimulation #sensoryplay #sensoryregulation #downregulation #spiritedchild #raisingmyspiritedchild #therapeuticparenting https://www.instagram.com/p/CpvbCkTssFh/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=