Mindfulness
Mindfulness is simply the art of being awake in the moment - of bringing our attention into the now. Of tuning into the present, stilling our minds and slowing down. Being awake in the moment brings us time to be in creation rather than in reaction. In this place of being, we can choose to move our focus of attention from what we don’t what to have happen, to what we do want to have happen. Then we can consciously create the steps to take us there.
It’s a powerful, creative and fun way to live. Learning to gently reign in our minds from worrying about the future and fretting about the past, is an effective way of becoming co-creators of our lives. We can use all of our senses to do it. Slowing down time with our breath, listening, feeling, smelling, sense/seeing with our whole selves brings us back into our bodies, grounded and present.
It’s a powerful, creative and fun way to live. Learning to gently reign in our minds from worrying about the future and fretting about the past, is an effective way of becoming co-creators of our lives. We can use all of our senses to do it. Slowing down time with our breath, listening, feeling, smelling, sense/seeing with our whole selves brings us back into our bodies, grounded and present.
Benefits of Mindfulness for Children
Concentration - Developing their ability to focus for longer is important for learning and doing.
Observational Skills - Develops their sense of self and other. Helping them to respond to situations with greater skill by picking up on the subtler communications.
Safety - Feeling secure in themselves and their place the world frees them up to explore and learn.
Emotions - Understanding, normalising and managing emotions means, they are more likely to cleanly move through tricky situations, letting go anything that no longer serves them. They are more likely then to feel empathy towards others. Enabling stronger friendships that supports connection, integrity, authenticity, generosity, helpfulness, gratitude and happiness.
Rest and Relax - Such an important skill to learn. To renew and replenish is super important for our bodies and minds to grow and expand. Kids are often exhausted and need time for their nervous system to rest and rejuvenate. This ought to be happening throughout the day as well as good sleeps at night.
Observational Skills - Develops their sense of self and other. Helping them to respond to situations with greater skill by picking up on the subtler communications.
Safety - Feeling secure in themselves and their place the world frees them up to explore and learn.
Emotions - Understanding, normalising and managing emotions means, they are more likely to cleanly move through tricky situations, letting go anything that no longer serves them. They are more likely then to feel empathy towards others. Enabling stronger friendships that supports connection, integrity, authenticity, generosity, helpfulness, gratitude and happiness.
Rest and Relax - Such an important skill to learn. To renew and replenish is super important for our bodies and minds to grow and expand. Kids are often exhausted and need time for their nervous system to rest and rejuvenate. This ought to be happening throughout the day as well as good sleeps at night.
A B C's of Mindful Parenting
A: Acknowledge them.
By naming the feeling you are acknowledging where your child is emotionally,
This validates them and makes them feel listened to and heard.
B: Breath with them.
Deep strong breaths in through the nose and long slow breaths out through their mouths will settle the emotions bringing about a feeling of Calm & Safety.
C: Connect with them.
Look them in their eyes, soften your face and hold them in your heart, remembering they're little and are simply having a hard time.
Following the A B C's will help your child move through difficult feelings
and situations quickly and easily.
By naming the feeling you are acknowledging where your child is emotionally,
This validates them and makes them feel listened to and heard.
B: Breath with them.
Deep strong breaths in through the nose and long slow breaths out through their mouths will settle the emotions bringing about a feeling of Calm & Safety.
C: Connect with them.
Look them in their eyes, soften your face and hold them in your heart, remembering they're little and are simply having a hard time.
Following the A B C's will help your child move through difficult feelings
and situations quickly and easily.
C . A . L . M
Connect - Connect back in with yourself.
Soften your energy, soften your face, see them as the struggling little human they are.
Connect with them, look them in the eyes, firmly but gently touch their body
giving them a spacial sense of safety, bringing them back into their body,
If they're not ready for touch remind them that you are here and will always be here for them, no matter what.
And then stay with them.
Awareness - Help them come out of their BIG feelings by asking them to:
Feel your feet on the ground - Look around - what can you see - pick something to look at.
Listen - What can you hear?
Move - Shake it out, move it through the body, dance, wiggle, giggle, punch a pillow.
Then move from the space into another space that is calmer, different, cosy, safe.
Soften your energy, soften your face, see them as the struggling little human they are.
Connect with them, look them in the eyes, firmly but gently touch their body
giving them a spacial sense of safety, bringing them back into their body,
If they're not ready for touch remind them that you are here and will always be here for them, no matter what.
And then stay with them.
Awareness - Help them come out of their BIG feelings by asking them to:
Feel your feet on the ground - Look around - what can you see - pick something to look at.
Listen - What can you hear?
Move - Shake it out, move it through the body, dance, wiggle, giggle, punch a pillow.
Then move from the space into another space that is calmer, different, cosy, safe.
♥ a happy, confident, joyful child = a happy, confident, joyful family ♥