Educator | Millennial Mom | Cycle Breaker
I am not here to motivate you, fix you, or tell you to try harder. I don’t believe the problem is a lack of effort, discipline, or desire. Most people are trying to heal and function inside nervous systems shaped by fear-based conditioning, inherited stress patterns, and generations of emotional suppression. Then they blame themselves when surface-level solutions don’t hold.
I come from that lineage myself. I come from the generation of mothers who grew up hearing, “Stop crying or I’ll give you something to cry about.” The ones who learned early that emotions were something to control, suppress, or endure.
And then I became a mother.
The moment I looked at my daughter, I knew with absolute certainty:
I will never do that to you.
Not with my words.
Not with my silence.
Not with my reactions.
What I didn’t know yet was how much work that decision would require.
I spent the first decade of motherhood doing what many women in this generation are quietly doing: trying to heal myself while raising a child. I immersed myself in understanding the brain, the body, stress physiology, emotional regulation, and behavior. Because I realized love alone wasn’t enough. I needed to understand why I reacted the way I did, and how to change patterns that were never consciously chosen, but deeply ingrained. That path led me to formal training in psychology, advanced study in physiology and health, and years of applying what I learned in real life, not just in theory. The goal was never perfection. It was to build a relationship with my child rooted in safety, mutual respect, and emotional honesty.
Above all, it was about love that didn’t require fear to function.
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Step into action, not just insight,
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What People Are Saying
On “My Friendly Little Monsters”:
“This book is an essential resource for children dealing with difficult emotions while living in challenging situations. Through relatable stories, the author helps young readers understand and articulate their feelings, empowering them to express themselves and fostering resilience.”
— Gigi Santiago, Holistic Wellness Expert & #1 Best-Selling Author of Your Amazing Itty Bitty™ Discover the Power of Living a Purpose-Filled LifeA Parent’s Testimonial
On “My Friendly Little Monsters”:
As a parent of a 10-year-old boy with ADHD and sensory processing disorder, finding books that truly speak to my child's experience with big emotions has been a journey. "My Friendly Little Monsters" has been an absolute game-changer in our household.
The genius of this book lies in its approach to emotions as "monsters" that are not meant to be defeated but understood and heard. For my son, who struggles with emotional regulation, this concept has been revolutionary. Instead of feeling ashamed when his anxiety monster visits or his sensitivity monster feels overwhelmed by loud noises and textures, he now understands these are natural parts of himself that just need attention and care.
The rhythm and predictable patterns help hold my son's attention while making the concepts memorable. He has actually started using the language from the book: "My worry monster is really big today, Mom. I think it needs to tell me something."
The book's gentle acknowledgment of the sensitive monster has been particularly powerful. My son finally has words for why certain environments feel overwhelming, and more importantly, he has learned that having a sensitive monster does not make him "different" in a bad way; it just means his monster needs extra understanding.
The emotional regulation piece is where this book truly shines. Rather than teaching kids to suppress difficult feelings, it shows them how to listen to what their monsters (emotions) are trying to communicate. This has helped my son develop better self-awareness and coping strategies when his panic monster shows up during transitions or when his anxiety monster gets activated by changes in routine.
Since reading this book, bedtime conversations have become more meaningful. My son now identifies which monsters visited him during the day and what they might have needed. It has given us a shared language for discussing his internal world that feels safe and non-judgmental.
This book does not promise that big feelings will go away, instead, it offers something much more valuable: the understanding that everyone has monsters, and they all deserve to be heard. For any parent navigating ADHD, sensory processing differences, or emotional regulation challenges with their child, this book is a gentle, empowering tool that validates their experience while building emotional intelligence. -Erika S.
What Students Are Saying
“I feel Professor Durand goes way above and beyond to ensure her students understand the material. She provides in-depth and personal feedback for every assignment, challenging the students to think deeper and include different perspectives to everything they work on.”
“Every course with Professor Durand has been very impactful and helped me develop my personal self, goals, and ambitions.”
“Natasha D. consistently provides clear, informative videos, and her presence is both calm and motivating.”
“Through Natasha Durand’s clear teaching and supportive presence, the material became approachable and meaningful. Her ability to explain complex concepts in a way that felt grounded and relevant helped me shift from feeling overwhelmed to feeling capable.”
“I truly think the heart of what makes your course engaging is you. Your video lectures and webinars were the most impactful part of my learning experience. The way you explain research concepts with clarity, patience, and real-world relevance made the material feel accessible and meaningful, even when the topics were challenging. Most of all, the supportive tone you bring to the course made a difference for me. Feeling guided and encouraged helped me stay engaged and confident throughout the semester.”
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