The Happinest

Meditation and Mindfulness Practices:
Birth- Adolescence
Pregnancy - Parenting

10/29/2025

A few years ago, when my eldest was three, we walked into a school “haunted house.”

Within seconds, I knew it was too much — his little body froze, eyes wide, heart racing.
And for weeks afterward, we were still feeling the ripple effects — fear of the dark, endless questions at bedtime, needing me right beside him to fall asleep.

I didn’t know then what I know now.
That emotional safety matters as much as physical safety.
That preparation can prevent overwhelm.
And that our kids’ nervous systems are constantly collecting information about what feels safe and what doesn’t.

That’s why we use the Scaredometer now — our way to measure the difference between fun scared (like a rollercoaster) and unsafe scared (the kind that makes you want to hide).

Halloween doesn’t have to be avoided — just approached with awareness.
Notice how your child is responding, talk about limits, and give them ways to communicate when something feels “too much.”

It’s not about bubble-wrapping them.
It’s about giving them tools to understand themselves — and feel safe enough to enjoy the magic of it all. 🎃💛

10/27/2025

Toddlers’ emotions can be overwhelming, especially when expressed loudly and intensely.

At the shops, my son was crying and I wanted to fix it immediately. Instead, I:
💙 Picked him up, offered a cuddle, and said: “I can see you’re sad.”
💙 Sat with him while he stayed in the feeling.
💙 Offered options — he said “No” — so I stayed present.
💙 Helped him label the feeling: “Sad can feel like the colour blue.”
💙 Provided a small activity as a gateway out of the feeling: “I spy” for blue things.

It’s hard to watch and sit with, but rushing to “fix it” signals to our children that we aren’t grounded or safe with their emotions. That can teach them big feelings are scary or wrong.

Instead, staying present and grounded shows them:
✨ Sadness is normal.
✨ It’s okay to feel it.
✨ There are safe ways to move through it, and ways to refocus when ready.

Your child isn’t “bad” — they just need help managing big feelings.
Your calm presence and support are far more powerful than an immediate fix.

10/03/2025

When my eldest was just 2.5, he once shouted out:
“I feel so red and angry at you and Dad!” 💥

At the time, we were living abroad, navigating the everyday (yet heavy) challenges of marriage, distance, and raising small children. I remember wondering if his emotional depth might actually be a burden for him.

But over time, I’ve seen how it’s become one of his greatest gifts.
💙 His deep self-awareness
💙 His strong sense of right and wrong
💙 His care and understanding for others
💙 His thoughtful role as a big brother
💙 His incredible friendships and conversations — even at six, he amazes me with his words.

He even guides me, his friends, and his brother through big feelings with compassion and wisdom that seems beyond his years.

Our children’s feelings can feel overwhelming, especially when they’re loud and intense. But their emotional depth is not a flaw. It’s often a superpower — one that reveals itself, moment by moment.

💬 Do you notice moments of deep emotional wisdom in your child?

10/01/2025

You’ve probably heard it:
“I don’t care!”

It can feel frustrating, dismissive, or even disrespectful.
But underneath those words is usually a big feeling: overwhelm, frustration, or hurt.

Instead of pushing or arguing, try:
✅ Naming the feeling
✅ Validating it without judgment
✅ Offering your presence and gentle options

Once calm has returned, you can reconnect through a gentle activity like “Things I Love,” drawing all the people, pets, foods, and places your child cares about.

Over the years, I’ve had so many “I don’t care” moments with my kids.
At first, it felt impossible to stay calm or know what to say.
With practice, I’ve learned that sitting with the feeling, validating it, and circling back later works every time.

💡 Children don’t always need us to convince them to care.
They need to be seen, heard, and supported while they work through their feelings.

09/24/2025

A mum once told me she loved using “internal weather” with her son —
but after a week of hearing “stormy” every day, she pulled me aside and asked:

“What do I do with that?”

Here’s the thing: we’re not supposed to fix stormy.
We can’t change the clouds — but we can be the safe shelter.

Offer a blanket. Build a cubby. Sit beside them without judgment.
Tell them about your stormy days. Let them feel seen and safe until it passes.

Try the Sunshine Meditation — gently imagine warm sun flowing from head to toe while softly touching each body part.

Emotional awareness starts with listening, not fixing.

🌦️ What’s your child’s internal weather been like lately?

09/22/2025

The practice my students ask for every day… ✨

What started as one quiet check-in has become a regular ritual in our classroom.
We now begin many mornings with a simple mind cleanse:
each student sits in a circle, takes a whiteboard, and draws out whatever’s on their mind.

No pressure. No expectations. Just expression.

After sharing, one student once reflected:
“All of our thoughts are different.”

And each time we do it, the reflections deepen:
🌗 Are our thoughts today mostly negative or positive?
🔁 Am I noticing repetitive thoughts?
💡 How do my thoughts change from day to day?

It’s become more than expression — it’s self-awareness.
And each time, the classroom feels lighter, calmer, softer.

Sometimes, children don’t need to explain how they feel.
They just need a safe way to release it.

🌀 Would you try a mind cleanse in your home or classroom?

09/17/2025

The end of the school day can carry a lot.

For our children, it’s not just tired feet and hungry tummies, it’s a day full of social dynamics, effort, emotions, and unmet needs all rolled into one.

Sometimes they jump into the car buzzing.
Sometimes they shut down.
Sometimes they say “good” when it was anything but.

And that’s why those first few minutes after school matter so much.

This moment with Rudi reminded me how easy it is to miss what’s really going on and how powerful a gentle, child friendly invitation to connect can be.

Not every day will lead to a deep reflection. But when we stay attuned to our child’s energy, offer a playful prompt, or just leave space to land, we create a bridge between their world and ours.
That’s where regulation begins. That’s where connection lives.
And that’s how we support the emotional awareness we’re all trying to build.

Save this post as a reminder: little moments can change the shape of an entire evening.

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