Anchor Breath: The Calm Your Child Needs, and You Deserve cover art

Anchor Breath: The Calm Your Child Needs, and You Deserve

Anchor Breath: The Calm Your Child Needs, and You Deserve

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

 Hey there, and welcome back. I'm Julia Cartwright, and I'm so glad you're here with me today. Saturday morning, early January—that magical time when the holidays are fading and the real parenting marathon begins again. If you're feeling a little frazzled already, or maybe anticipating the chaos of the week ahead, you're in exactly the right place.

Let's take a moment together. Wherever you are—whether you're sitting with a cooling cup of coffee, stealing five minutes in the car, or hiding in the bathroom like a lot of us do—just pause with me for a second. You don't need to change anything right now. Just notice what's here.

Take a slow breath in through your nose, and let it out through your mouth. Again. In and out. Feel that? That's your nervous system already beginning to settle, like a snow globe coming to rest after being shaken.

Here's what I've learned after years of working with parents: the calmer you are, the calmer your kids become. It's not magic; it's contagion. And right now, we're going to practice something I call the Anchor Breath. It's simple, and it works.

Close your eyes if that feels comfortable. Picture your child in a moment when they're upset—maybe frustrated, maybe overwhelmed. You know that look. Now here's the beautiful part: instead of trying to fix it immediately, we're going to anchor ourselves first. Bring your awareness to your belly. Notice it rising and falling with each breath. If your mind wanders—and it will, and that's perfectly fine—just gently return to that gentle rise and fall. You're not controlling your breath; you're just noticing it, like you're watching waves on a beach.

Imagine each exhale is releasing the tension you're holding. With each breath, you're becoming the calm your child needs. Stay here for three more breaths. In. Out. In. Out. In. Out.

When your kids lose it today—and they will, because they're kids—this is your tool. The moment you feel heat rising, stop. Touch your belly. Feel that anchor. Five conscious breaths. That's it. You're not suppressing their emotions or yours; you're creating space for a different response.

Thank you so much for practicing with me today. If this resonated with you, please subscribe to Mindful Parenting: Daily Tips for Raising Calm Kids. New episodes drop every morning because your wellness matters, and so does theirs.

You've got this. See you tomorrow.

For great deals today, check out https://amzn.to/47ZqpWT

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.