A Mindful Parenting Moment for Challenging Times

Mindful Parenting Moments for Challenging Times

Challenging times. We all have them. Every. Single. One. Of. Us. I know this as truth from the sheer fact that we are all human. No exceptions. Period.

So, since we're all going to have rough patches, we might as well find something we can do to lessen their length, as well as their impact upon us.

Two Minutes to Calm

Here's a two minute video excerpted from The Joyful Parent 4-week Online Course. I wanted to share it because...well... we all need help and, sometimes, a little reminder that we need to step away and take really good care of ourselves, so we can take the best care of our children.

See if it doesn't change your frame of mind. The background score alone is soothing enough to just lower your blood pressure by listening. Try a couple of the suggestions floating across the screen and see how 2 minutes can turn everything around for YOU, so you can respond to your child in a more helpful manner.

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The ideas outlined in the video include:

1. Write down 3 things for which you are grateful about your child.

2. Take a quick mental break to walk around. Inhale/exhale.

3. What are you saying to yourself? Is it helpful?

4. What does your child need most from you right now, in this moment?

5. Stretch. Keep it simple. Imagine yourself as peaceful as you can be.

6. Sing loudly. This improves relaxation. Do it with your kids/family.

7. Dance.

8. Do a 2-minute breathing exercise.

9. Smile at someone...or even yourself in a mirror.

10. Do 10 jumping jacks.

11. Take a whiff of an essential oil you love.

12. Do a few yoga moves.

13. Slip off your shoes. Curl and release your toes a few times.

14. Progressively tense and release your major muscle groups.

15. Massage your own hands or neck.

16. This moment doesn't define your child...or you.

17. This moment is just a moment. Don't give it more power than it deserves.

Which one speaks to you most? 

What would you add to the list? What gets you through challenging times?

Related Posts

Troubled Waters: Helping Angry and Worried Kids

The Care and Keeping of Challenging Children

Stop Raising Your Voice, Stop Raising Your Blood Pressure

Wendy Young, LMSW, BCD, is  the founder of Kidlutions and co-author of BLOOM: 50 Things to Say, Think and Do with Anxious, Angry and Over-the-Top Kids, co-creator of BLOOM Brainsmarts, and creator of The Joyful Parent. She is the creator of numerous workbooks and resources to help from the preschool through the teen years. 

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