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Pause and Presence: Your Secret Superpower for Calm Kids this Holiday Season

Pause and Presence: Your Secret Superpower for Calm Kids this Holiday Season

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 Hey there, and welcome back. I'm Julia Cartwright, and I'm so glad you're here with me today, especially this time of year. You know, late December can feel like you're juggling flaming candy canes while someone's asking you where the good scissors are. The holidays are in full swing, the kids are buzzing with excitement and sugar, and honestly, the whole household feels like it's operating at about twice its normal speed. So today, I want to give you something that's going to help you and your family find your center again, even when everything feels a little chaotic.

Let's start by just settling in wherever you are right now. If you're in the car waiting for school pickup, great. Folding laundry? Perfect. Just take a moment and let your shoulders drop away from your ears. Notice what your feet are touching, what your back is resting against. You're here now, and that's enough.

Go ahead and take three deep breaths with me. Breathe in through your nose, and as you exhale, imagine you're releasing all that rushing energy, all that doing-doing-doing. One more time. In, and out. There we go.

Here's the thing about calm kids: they're mirrors. They reflect the nervous system of the adults around them. So today's practice isn't just for them, it's for you. It's called the Pause and Presence technique, and it's going to become your secret superpower.

Throughout your day, pick three moments when you notice the temperature rising. Maybe it's when someone's asking you a question while you're on your phone. Maybe it's when the noise level hits that particular pitch that makes your teeth ache. In those moments, I want you to pause. Just for three seconds. Not a dramatic pause. Just pause.

Then, place one hand on your heart and ask yourself this: what do I need right now? Not what do they need. What do you need? Maybe it's a breath. Maybe it's five seconds of quiet. Maybe it's to say out loud, I'm here, and that's okay.

When you pause like this, your kids watch you. They learn that big feelings aren't emergencies. They learn that adults can choose calm. And that becomes the permission they've been waiting for.

So here's what I want you to do: pick one moment today, one single moment where you'll pause and place your hand on your heart. Just one. That's your anchor.

Thank you so much for joining me on Mindful Parenting: Daily Tips for Raising Calm Kids. Please do subscribe wherever you're listening so you never miss a practice. You've got this, and I'll see you next time.

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