They are more informed about aspects of child development, and they are more willing to challenge authority. Suzanne regards these as positive shifts. Simultaneously, though, more families are living in poverty, technology distracts us from the present moment, and trust in authority has degraded. These are worrying shifts. This is the societal context in which parents are raising children.
Suzanne works to empower parents so that they feel more informed and confident in the decisions they take.
She has worked with a wide range of organisations, engaging in topics from singing to school starting age to infant strollers and lots in between. Throughout, she emphasises the importance of listening, the value of laughter and the profound nature of human development. She knows that the information she shares is often as discomforting as it is enriching, and she is constantly on the lookout for creative new ways to help the public step into curiosity. Comments such as this one, from a mum of three, give a sense of why Suzanne thinks it matters: “The information Suzanne has shared has been life-changing for me. It lets us understand the impact of attachment and childhood experiences on you and all your relationships.”
Here are some of the groups that Suzanne has worked with, exploring parents’ hopes, needs and worries.
2023 – La Leche League of Ireland – Understanding infant brain development changes our view of humanity
Suzanne Zeedyk - Sectors - Parents - La Leche League of Ireland - link to news article
2023 – East Lothian Generations Working Together – Connected communities grow trusting brains
Suzanne Zeedyk - Sectors - Parents - East Lothian Generations Working Together - link to YouTube video
2023 – Aware Parenting Podcast – with Joss Goulden in Australia – Repair matters more than rupture
Suzanne Zeedyk - Sectors - Parents - Aware Parenting Podcast - link to Podcast
2021 – Parent Club – Scottish Government – Doing little things together with your baby
Suzanne Zeedyk - Sectors - Parents - Parent Club - link to YouTube video
2019 – Children in Scotland – Child-centred early years planning
Suzanne Zeedyk - Sectors - Parents - Children in Scotland - link to pdf
2016 – Upstart Scotland – Why kindergarten?
Suzanne Zeedyk - Sectors - Parents - Why kindergarten - link to YouTube video
2016 – Real Nappies for London – Nappy changing is a moment for connection
Suzanne Zeedyk - Sectors - Parents - Real Nappies for London - link to video
2015 – Sing and Sign – Emotional connections – vital for your baby’s future
Suzanne Zeedyk - Sectors - Parents - Sing and Sign - link to blog
2015 – Parenting Northern Ireland – Strengthening attachment and attunement in families
Suzanne Zeedyk - Sectors - Parents - Parenting Northern Ireland - link to article
2014 – Scottish Book Trust – How books help children learn about the world
Suzanne Zeedyk - Sectors - Parents - Scottish Book Trust - link to YouTube video
2011 – Graco Baby – How buggies affect parent-child interaction
Suzanne Zeedyk - Sectors - Parents - Graco Baby - link to YouTube video
2011 – Documentary Film – the connected baby
Suzanne Zeedyk - Sectors - Parents - Documentary Film - link to YouTube video
2009 – Bookstart in Scotland – Encouraging literacy for babies encourages oxytocin too
Suzanne Zeedyk - Sectors - Parents - Bookstart in Scotland - link to YouTube video
2009 – Stroller Design – ‘Face in’ buggies create chattier kids
Suzanne Zeedyk - Sectors - Parents - Stroller Design - link to article