Emotional Buddy for a New Generation

About Us

At Max & Me, we believe every child deserves the tools to understand their feelings, navigate tough moments, and grow into emotionally resilient, kind, and confident young people. Our heart-led, story-powered programme uses the warmth of storytelling — guided by Max, our lovable English Bulldog — to help children and their grown-ups make sense of big emotions in a simple, practical, and playful way.

Why It Matters

So many of the challenges we see in young people — bullying, anxiety, addiction, teen pregnancy — are symptoms of a deeper issue: emotional dysregulation.
When children learn to name, understand, and manage their emotions, everything changes. They build stronger relationships, make healthier choices, and approach life with confidence.

Max & Me helps children:
• Feel without fear
• Pause before reacting
• Put words to what’s going on inside

The PausePad Method

At the core of our programme is PausePad — a simple five-step method that teaches children how to calm their bodies and minds:

Timing it. Naming it. Feeling it. Moving it. Calming it.

Whether used in a classroom, therapy session, or at home, PausePad transforms meltdowns into teachable moments and helps children respond to challenges with empathy and control.

Tag-Along Tools (Coming Soon)

Comfort shouldn’t be outgrown. We’re introducing a range of plush emotional tools and mood pillows designed for hugs, squeezes, grounding, and growth.

Meet the Friends

Max – Your loyal emotion buddy, ready for the big feelings and the tiny ones.
Mr P the Pigeon – Curious, cheeky, and still figuring it all out.
Miss Meno – She feels everything… sometimes all at once.
Gogo the Gecko Whisperer – Brings quiet wisdom when life gets loud and fizzy.

These characters help children connect deeply with emotional concepts through relatable stories and humour.

Our Approach

We use warm, engaging storytelling paired with practical tools and hands-on activities that support emotional learning at every age.

For Early Childhood & Primary Schools
• Pause & Peace Corners with books, pillows, and calming tools
• Story-based emotional learning and reflection activities

For High Schools
• Eco Warrior Programme — where leadership, environmental action, and emotional literacy meet

For Families & Caregivers
• Bedtime stories, conversation tools, and calming workbooks
• Resources for adults to strengthen their own emotional awareness

Our Services (Cape Town)

• Pause & Peace Corners – Safe, soothing spaces in classrooms or sickbays where children pause, breathe, and reset. From R12 500 per corner.
• UnBully Workshops – Empowering anti-bullying and leadership training with fun activities and take-home tools. From R250 per child.
• Eco Challenge – Partnered with Clothes to Good: turn textile waste into eco-friendly pillows in an exciting hands-on workshop. From R450 per pillow.

Stories That Teach

Our debut story, Mr P and the Doughnut Disaster, helps children understand balance and self-control.
The gift set includes a storybook, apron, and doughnut pillow. R550.

Vision

To raise a generation of emotionally resilient, empathetic, and eco-aware children — one pause and one pillow at a time.

Mission

To equip children, parents, and educators with the stories, tools, and emotional skills needed from the first 1,000 days to early adolescence.

Real Impact. Real Change.

We’re not just talking about emotions — we’re taking action.
• 1,000 learners trained through Anti-Bullying Buddy workshops
• 1.5 tons of clothing saved through Max & Me Eco Warriors
• 4 Cape Town schools introduced to sustainability practices
• 30+ emotion-centered stories created (and counting)
• 16 Pause & Peace Corners established