Learn how to meditate with your children
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Do you have those moments in life when things are so crazy and hectic that all your yoga breathing and calming techniques go out the window? Maybe you snap at your kids, or your husband or even the dog? I'm having some months like that right now! #thestruggleisreal Here I am preaching to everyone on how important it is to breathe, meditate, and be mindful. But, I wasn't walking the walk!
Then, I realized the problem. Although I was spending a lot of time with my children, I was ignoring my responsibility to not only be a role model for them but also my duty to teach them how to cope with stress in their lives (as well as mine). I realized that I could be that mom that stays calm and draws on meditation techniques in moments of high stress, I just needed to have my kids help me out! I needed to teach my kids how to meditate (and in the process force myself to take a hot minute for meditation as well!) This way we could all help each other stay calm in stressful situations and have a tool in our toolkit that we could draw on together.
I love this video by Gabrielle Bernstein that will not only teach you two great techniques to practice with (and without) your kids but she also touches on the importance of having these meditation and breathing tools in our back pockets to carry with us. As our children grow up, they can rely on these fundamental concepts for developing into well-balanced adults.
2 great meditation techniques to teach your children and yourself (together!)
Video Source: GabrielleBernstein
Create a calm and inviting space
You can practice these techniques anywhere and anytime! In the grocery store line that is taking forever and you are 15 minutes late picking up your oldest child, when you are trying to get out the door but your youngest insists on collecting 10,000 toys to take with him (and you are already late), or when you have a deadline at work and it's dinner time and the kids are hungry and you are about to lose your shit! I could go on... (I have many moments when I could should be drawing on my meditation techniques!)
But my children also like to have a comfy, quiet, safe space to go to sometimes when they just need to have a moment. Perhaps at home, you can create a little "corner of peace" or "safe space".
Make it a habit
Wanting to make changes in your life is different than actually doing it. If incorporating easy and simple meditation techniques and mantras like the ones in the video is a goal for you, then you have to practice daily. It takes about 3-4 weeks to make a new technique a habit. You may have to schedule it in your day at first before it becomes something that feels natural and ingrained.
I like to hang notes or reminders up on my fridge or bathroom mirror (places I spend a lot of time) to give me gentle visual cues. It's definitely humbling to raise your eyes midway through snapping at your child only to see a note that I wrote to myself on how to I should calm myself down in front of my child! 😳
Put it all together
Watch the video.
Schedule reminders into your day to practice the new techniques with your children (only takes 2-3 minutes)!
Give yourself visual reminders to utilize these new techniques in heated or stressful moments.
Remind your children to utilize these techniques when they need it.
Bask in the newfound calmness in yourself and your home 😊.
If you found learning how to meditate with your children to be helpful, let me know in the comments below!
Keep breathing,
