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The Space Between: Finding Your Pause Practice

The Space Between: Finding Your Pause Practice

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 Welcome. I'm Julia Cartwright, and I'm so glad you're here. If you're listening on a Tuesday morning like this one, chances are you're already juggling breakfast, backpacks, and maybe a small person who decided today was the day to test every boundary you've set. So first, take a breath. You're doing better than you think.

Today, we're diving into something I call the pause practice, because honestly, that's where the magic happens in parenting. Not in the perfect response, but in the tiny space between what your kid does and how you react. Let's find that space together.

Start by settling in wherever you are right now. You don't need candles or quiet. This works in the car, at the kitchen counter, or even in the bathroom if that's your sanctuary. Sit comfortably, feet on the ground if you can. Just notice how your body feels against the chair, the floor, the earth beneath you.

Now, let's breathe. Breathe in through your nose for a count of four. Feel the air travel down, cool and steady. Hold it for just a moment. Then exhale slowly, like you're releasing a long sigh. In through the nose, out through the mouth. Four counts in, and six counts out. The longer exhale actually signals your nervous system that you're safe. Do this three more times with me. Just breathing, just being.

Here's where the real work lives. During your day, when your kid pushes a button you didn't know you had, when frustration rises like heat in your chest, I want you to remember this pause. It might look like pressing your palms together for three seconds. It might feel like placing your hand on your heart. It might sound like a single word—mine is anchor. Whatever it is, that tiny gesture is your reset button. It's not about being zen or ignoring what's happening. It's about choosing your next move instead of reacting on autopilot.

The beautiful part? Kids watch this. They don't hear your lectures about emotional regulation. They feel your presence. When you pause, they learn that feelings don't have to run the show. Calmness isn't silence. It's choice.

So today, practice one intentional pause. Just one. Pick a moment—maybe it's before you respond to whining, or before you raise your voice. Pause. Breathe. Notice what shifts.

Thank you so much for spending this time with me. This is Mindful Parenting: Daily Tips for Raising Calm Kids. Please subscribe so you don't miss tomorrow's practice. You've got this, friend.

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