Creative Connected Parenting

Did you know that sensory self-regulation techniques don’t just help kids but they help parents too? Here are a few ideas:
1) Open a window or stand outside. What do you hear?
2) Turn on a song, give yourself permission to wiggle from start to finish.
3) Pick up a scent you like (lotion, candle, herb, fruit). Inhale.

What else can I add to the list?

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Parents deal with a lot of pressures that can leave us feeling overwhelmed and emotionally reactive. When we are less reactive, we can support our children better. Mindfulness practices help, even if we can’t do them consistently and only squeeze in one-off sessions. Here are a few suggestions:
🌬️ Breathing exercises;
🌸 Meditation; and
📝 Free-writing.

What have you tried that leaves you feeling calmer?

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Our reactivity interferes with our warmth and responsiveness to our children’s distress.

We can’t just suppress our aggressive or avoidant behaviour when we are worked up. Here are some ideas to help boost your calm and deal with stress before you snap:
🌷 Mindfulness activities
🌷 Sensory self-regulation techniques
🌷 “Learned optimism” habits, e.g. reframing situations
🌷 Identify your triggers

Let me know what works for you!

Artwork by We Got This ART