🌟 lemon cakes and the soft landing — honouring mum’s quiet magic 🦆💛
a story about invisible scaffolding, sensory softness, and the quiet bravery of mums
lemon cakes is a duckling with a big heart, a wobbly hat, and one very brave plan: to cross the pond all by herself. in this gentle story, she finds courage in unexpected places — and discovers the quiet magic that mums leave behind, even when they’re not there. co-created in therapy with a particular brave spark, this episode honours the invisible support that helps children feel safe enough to try something new.
🎧 listen to the episode
📝 about this episode
lemon cakes is a duckling with a green wing, a wobbly hat, and a heart full of adventure. today, she’s crossing the pond all by herself — no map, no grown-up, just her brave little feet and a quiet voice cheering her on from somewhere deep inside.
co-created in therapy with a particular brave spark, this gentle story honours the invisible scaffolding that many mums build for their children — the soft landings, hidden helpers, and tiny treasures that help the big world feel safe. with quiet courage and a splash of sparkle, lemon cakes discovers she’s never really alone.
💭 reflection questions
what helps you feel brave when you’re trying something new?
do you have a favourite story, object, or person that reminds you you’re safe?
can you think of a time someone helped make something easier for you — even if you didn’t see it at first?
💛 note for grown-ups
this episode was created in honour of mother’s day — especially for the mums of neurodivergent children, who so often provide the invisible scaffolding their child needs to feel safe in the world.
the story gently reflects therapeutic themes of co-regulation, interoceptive safety, and the power of presence, even from a distance. through metaphors like “soft landings” and “the invisible string,” it acknowledges the way many mums support their children in small, consistent, often unseen ways.
if you're curious to learn more about these ideas, you might enjoy exploring polyvagal theory, co-regulation, or the picture book The Invisible String by Patrice Karst (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) — a story that inspired the emotional heart of this episode.
💡 therapy tips to try
here are some gentle strategies inspired by the brave spark who helped shape this story:
🪶 try a “soft landing space” — a pile of blankets or favourite items your child can return to after a big moment;
💛 create a pocket-sized “cheerleader pebble” or feather — something that reminds them they’re supported, even when you’re not close by;
🗺️ map out adventures ahead of time using photos, drawings, or step-by-step cards so new things feel a little more familiar;
📚 read The Invisible String together and talk about who might be on the other end of your string.
these therapy tips were created with the particular brave spark who helped shape this story in mind. your child’s needs may be different, so it’s always a good idea to check in with their therapy team. the good news? these ideas can do no harm — and they might even spark some fun, connection, or curiosity along the way 🌟
🎧 credits
✍️ written by: trust children and the kids we support (with a sprinkle of ai magic)
🦆 voice of lemon cakes:🎙️ generated using ElevenLabs — https://www.elevenlabs.io — used under license 🎧 wobbled and sweetened in GarageBand by the Brave Sparks team
🎛️ sound mixing: the brave sparks team
🎵 music:
🎶 serene acoustic guitar melodies by lolamoore — freesound.org/s/768424 — attribution 4.0
🎵 playful tunes for comedy skits and family fun by lolamoore — freesound.org/s/768211 — attribution 4.0
🔊 sound effects include:
🦆 ducks.wav by lostphosphene — freesound.org/s/250389 — attribution 4.0
🎩 cartoon-sound-single-boing by sdroliasnick — freesound.org/s/731262 creative commons 0
🥁 simple loopable beat by minecast_ — freesound.org/s/187471 — creative commons 0
🍂 soft leaves.wav by winkysadface — freesound.org/s/674151 — attribution 4.0
🐸 pond animals — generated using elevenlabs — elevenlabs.io — used under license
💦 water sploshing — generated using elevenlabs — elevenlabs.io — used under license
🌬️ wind in the trees by newlocknew — freesound.org/s/760434 — attribution 4.0
✨ magical twinkle by universfield — freesound.org/s/758819 — attribution 4.0
🌟 magic stars retro sparkle by smokinghotdog — freesound.org/s/584244 creative commons 0
👏 awww then applause and cheering.wav by xtrgamr — freesound.org/s/243801 — attribution 4.0
🧘 tibetan bowl_left hit.wav by dersinnsspace — freesound.org/s/417117 — creative commons 0
🌟 part of brave sparks — co-created stories that bring therapy home
🌟 explore more brave sparks
🧠 discover more child-led therapeutic stories in the brave sparks episode library
💛 try “nala and dave the dragon’s just-right snuggle” or “the snack truce” for stories about body trust, energy regulation, and emotional safety here
