Author

Liz Smith

When I was younger and doubted myself—when I felt stupid or incapable—my mum would always tell me, “Yes, but you have emotional intelligence.” During my university years, at what was definitely my heaviest (thanks to countless freshers’ nights out and far too many takeaways!), she would tell me, “You are not fat; you have the sort of figure artists paint.” Later, I discovered the painting she was referring to was Botticelli, known for painting quite rounded ladies! But it was kind of her to say, and I accepted this for years, and it gave me some confidence… until I found out!

Looking back, I can see that my lovely mum always tried to make me feel better about myself. But as I’ve grown older, I’ve realised that the true sense of being “good enough” has to come from within. It’s a lesson that’s taken me years to learn, and it’s one I still grapple with as a woman in her late 40s. I sometimes catch myself changing my behaviour to suit others or saying “yes” to something I know I don’t really want to go to for fear of offending or not being asked again!

That’s why I decided to write this book. I wanted to show my two children—and, as a teacher, the children I teach—that they are enough just as they are. The goal is to help them become the best version of themselves, not someone else’s idea of what good enough is.

I wish I had learned some of the lessons in this book earlier in my own life. As parents and educators, we want to equip our children with the tools to manage their emotions and navigate challenging feelings as they arise. My hope is that this book will help you do just that.

As a mum myself, I understand that all we want is for our children to grow into confident, happy individuals who believe in their own worth. That’s all we can hope for—and it’s more than enough.