This can be the most stressful time of year for children. They are struggling to get used to the demands of school, coping with seasonal colds or flus, and trying to overcome their annual Halloween candy overdose. Given all these distractions, who can blame them for losing a little focus and getting a little stressed?
Parents are stressed, too. The days are shorter and there seems to be less time and more to do. It’s also time to start thinking (or if you are like me…worrying) about what to do for Thanksgiving and what to get your loved ones for Christmas.
Well, some of you might think I am crazy, but I think taking a few minutes to meditate with your children can be all the remedy needed for conquering the pre-holiday season.
You can meditate anywhere, but one of my favorite places to meditate is in my yoga class. I have been doing yoga for about 15 years. When I get really grumpy and stressed my husband sends me to yoga right away, and I have to admit when I get home I am happier and easier to deal with.
When I am in a yoga class, and concentrating on meditation, I leave all my problems and cares for an hour or so and I feel I can do more after I am done.
Children can tell when their parents are stressed and on edge. When parents understand the art of meditation they pass it on to their children. This can really help them in their everyday lives and make coping with stress a lot easier.
I have taught my children to meditate and especially how to stay calm through breathing techniques. When we do this we communicate better and we stay more calm in the home.
Benefits For A Child To Meditate
1. They have less anxiety at school or in uncomfortable situations
2.Their mind is sharp and more clear at school and when doing homework
3.It can help with anger and self control problems
4.It helps with self esteem
5. They are more relaxed
My daughter gets anxiety before testing or speaking in front of groups. When I meditate with her, she learns to take deep breathes-in and out-and it helps her to stay calm.
Like all things in life, parents can teach by example. Once your children see you meditate and they see how calm and happy you are, they will most likely follow.
There is no right or wrong way to meditate.
Here Is How We Meditate
1. Cross your legs
2. Put your hands together
3. Take a few deep breathes
4. Close your eyes
5. NO LAUGHING! (I always get a smile or a laugh when I say that)
Here Are Some Meditating Tips
1. Use a timer depending on your childs age. 3-5 minutes is great for a beginner.
2. Buy a meditating journal. Close your eyes for a couple of minutes and then open your eyes and write down all the sounds you heard and things you thought about.
3. Tell you children a story about a favorite time you had on a hike or at the beach. They will keep very still and quiet when you are telling them an exciting adventure you had.
4. Remind them to breathe slowly in and out during the story.
5. Make your teens get involved. This could help them with stress and self esteem.
We live in a world with so much technology that is is amazing to turn it off and just have some peace and quiet with our families. Even if it’s just for 5-10 minutes a day.
doTerra is also amazing for calming the body and mind. The easiest way of putting a fine mist of the whole oil into the air for inhalation is to use a nebulizing diffuser. When diffused, essential oils have been found to reduce the amount of airborne chemicals and to help create greater physical and emotional harmony.
When using the oils on children and infants it is important to dilute the pure essential oils.
Here are some oils that could be helpful with stresses in your everyday life.
Anxiety and Stress=Lavender, orange, lemon, In Tune, Serenity, ylang ylang, elevation, and frankincense.
Calming=melissa, Citrus bliss, Lavender, In Tune
For more information about essential oils and to find out why we LOVE them for healing, cleaning, etc., click here.
Check out this book on bedtime meditation for kids.
If you are a beginner, a great to start a routine is trying Oprah and Deepak’s 21 day meditation challenge. You can find more information here.
Now who’s ready for a zen like holiday Season?
How do you meditate with your family and friends?
Jasmine says
I really like this post. It’s good to teach children how to be calm.
The book, “Your Adventure to Happiness Teen” which is available on Amazon, is another great gift for a young girl to have.
Audra says
Great pics Ashley! I love the idea of a meditation book for my kids. Haven’t thought of that before!!
Libby says
I am going to start these ideas for meditation with my kids. We are all very uptight over here. We need to relax and calm our mind and thoughts. Thanks for the inspiration!
Mikey says
Not sure my kid would sit through this without chocolate.
Rachel says
I love this. I have been doing yoga with my daughter and teaching her to meditate since she was three. The techniques espececially help her to go to sleep at bedtime. Her favorite pose was always the “do nothing pose” where you just lay down and rest. We haven’t been doing this lately, and this is a good reminder to pick it back up again. This time of the year really does seem to be the most stressful!
Deano Papino says
Okay–I cracked up when I saw the picture of those 2great meditators giggling! That was great! I love this post. I move so fast Ll the time that I think I owe it to myself to try this. Thanks so much!
Ella says
I’ve got 2 “hard-to-get-to-sleep” people at my house. I might suggest yoga and hope they try it. Of course, the oldest one wouldn’t be able to get his legs nor hands in those positions and if he does I might have to call 911 to get him “unfolded”. Thanks for the good tips.
Rachel says
I have never done this with my kids but will start after reading this post! It’s important to try new things, and with the amount of stress going in and out of my house this will be so helpful! What a great post!
Julie V says
What a great post. These children are growing up in a very stressful world. Things are thrown at them at an alarming pace, they need down time!! I love both yoga and essential oils :).
Briana says
This is a must read for every parent!!