From Fear to Fun: More than one child at the consultation

This episode explores how to manage consultations when a sibling is present — a situation that can quickly become chaotic if not handled intentionally. At the heart of it lies one simple truth: everybody craves attention, including the child who is not the patient.

We cover:

• Why siblings often become disruptive when they feel unseen
• A powerful dolphin‑training analogy that shows why non‑interference also deserves recognition
• How the patient naturally receives all attention — and why this creates tension
• Why siblings need acknowledgement, a role, and a place in the room
• How to prevent disruption by giving the sibling a clear task (“I need you to play there”)
• The importance of having small toys ready to offer at strategic moments
• What happens when the sibling is ignored — and why even negative attention is better than none

Key takeaway:

When a second child is present, they must be seen, acknowledged, and given a place in the consultation. Their quiet cooperation is an achievement — and recognising it keeps the encounter calm, connected, and moving from fear to fun.