Every once in a while, something soft and silly helps us learn something deep.
Like, say... a Disney dog.
Or two.
Let me take you into one of my favorite kinds of blog posts—a storytime special—featuring a couple of very important four-legged co-therapists in my life, and a message I share with every child (and parent) I meet:
You are enough. Just as you are. Even when it’s hard to believe.
So get comfy. Grab your favorite blanket. And let me tell you about the day my Disney dogs reminded me what self-worth really means.
🐾 Meet Nala & Dory
Yes—those are their real names.
Nala is part golden retriever, part emotional sponge. She’s the protector, the listener, the one who leans in when someone’s having a hard day.
Dory is... well, Dory. She forgets where she put her tennis ball, runs sideways when she’s excited, and has never met a stranger she didn’t want to kiss on the nose.
Between the two of them, they’ve taught me more about empathy, joy, and unconditional acceptance than some textbooks ever could.
✨ The Story Begins with a Tail (and a Tumble)
One evening not long ago, I was sitting on the floor after a tough session—just feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. The kind of day where nothing felt “enough.”
I was second-guessing myself.
Worrying about a kiddo I’d seen.
Wondering if I’d said the right thing.
(Yes, therapists do that too.)
And just as I started spiraling into that old “I should’ve done better” loop, Dory came barreling around the corner, tripped over her own paws, and landed nose-first in my lap—with her tail wagging like the world had just handed her a trophy.
She looked up at me with those big, silly eyes like she was saying:
“You’re here. That’s enough.”
And Nala? She followed right behind, curled up at my side, and let out the deepest, most content exhale you’ve ever heard.
In that moment, I remembered what I often tell others—but had forgotten to tell myself:
You don’t have to be perfect to be worthy. You just have to be present.
💖 What Our Kids Need to Hear (Over and Over)
So many of the children I work with carry silent questions in their hearts:
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Am I good enough?
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Why am I different?
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Will people like me if I mess up?
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Do my feelings make me too much?
And so many parents do, too.
This is why I keep gentle reminders woven into everything I teach:
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You’re allowed to be messy and loved at the same time.
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You’re not a problem to fix. You’re a person to understand.
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The way you show up matters more than how perfectly you do it.
Our kids don’t need us to be Disney princesses.
They need us to be real—sometimes silly, sometimes tired, always trying again.
🛠️ Try This With Your Family
Here’s a self-worth activity inspired by Nala and Dory:
🐶 “Paw Print Praise” (Affirmation Exercise)
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Have your child draw or trace their hand (or a paw shape if they’re into animals).
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Inside the shape, write or draw 3 things they like about themselves.
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On the outside, write 3 kind things someone else has said about them (you can help!).
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Hang it up on the fridge or near their bed as a reminder.
Every time they doubt themselves, point to it and say:
“That’s still true. Even on hard days.”
💬 A Note from Melissa
Self-worth isn’t something we teach once and move on.
It’s something we water every day—especially in a world that tells our kids to be quieter, faster, better, more.
But here’s what I believe, deep in my glitter globe brain:
Every child (and every grown-up) deserves to feel safe being exactly who they are—tail wags, tangled hair, feelings and all.
So if today was a hard day—if you lost your patience, forgot the glitter jar, or questioned your parenting…
I want to be the Dory to your spiral:
“You’re here. That’s enough.”
📌 Try This Today:
Snuggle up with your child and ask them what kind of Disney dog they’d be. Use it as a doorway to talk about strengths, silliness, and what makes them uniquely lovable.
Want more stories, tools, and magical metaphors for growing self-worth at every age?
Subscribe to Melissa’s Mindful Minute for monthly support, kindness-first parenting, and all the tail-wagging heart you can handle—from Hazelwood’s favorite feelings expert and her furry sidekicks. 🐾💫