4 Tips to Stay Present In Your Child’s Storm
As a mama of a kiddo who does not like riding in the car, I have had lots of opportunities to practice staying present through my child’s hard emotions. Anyone who has been in a car with a screaming baby knows just how triggering and helpless it feels to not be able to help them calm down.
When I started accepting the fact that it wasn’t my job to get her to stop crying, but just to be a calm presence for her, I began feeling less triggered and less trapped.
These are the 4 things I rely on to stay calm and regulated when my kiddo is having a hard time. The best part is, my regulation actually helps her to stay regulated too!
Breathe: By taking slow, deep breaths I am able to stay calm and not be as triggered by my child’s overwhlem
Sing: By singing a calm song, I am able to stay calm even when my child is not
Talk: By talking in a slow, quiet, even tone, I am able to release some of my energy without escalating any of the feelings.
Connect: By connecting through eye contact, touch, or proximity I am reminded to tap into empathy.
For more on helping your child through dysregulation, see my post on "Being With” Your Child
