Every child is hard-wired to mimic their parents (or caregivers) from the day they are born. It’s how they learn. What is more interesting is that in addition to imitating everything around them, children also mimic the breathing patterns of their caregivers. Why this isn’t taken advantage of more is a mystery but once you start to use these unusual parenting techniques, you won’t use any other.
Unusual Parenting Techniques
Calming an Infant
Some nights your little one just won’t go to sleep. Instead of staying up all night trying every type of rocking motion, lullaby or the old school method your mother told you about, lay in bed with your child. Deep breathe slowly in and out for about five minutes. Eventually, she won’t be able to help but copy your deep breathing as well, and that will put your baby right to sleep.
Toddler Temper Tantrum
Tantrums no longer have to be a nightmare. Get as close as possible to your toddler, talk slowly to them and breathe deeply, nice and slow. Pretty soon your child will be calm. Tantrum over.
Older Children
There will be days where your child is over stimulated or just can’t calm down. Talk to them in a slow manner while you are deep breathing. Even the older children will mimic your breathing. Soon they will get out of that frustrated, over excited stage and calm right down.
We’ve all been there. It’s the end of the day, we’re tired, the kids are wired and we instinctively yell at them to calm down. When that happens our blood pressure rises, our breathing gets rapid and the kids see that. They react in the same way so it’s important to be mindful of our actions and of our breathing to keep the calm in order.
I love finding interesting tips and tricks on Quora and that is where I found this unusual parenting techniques too. See, it’s all about the breathing. These unusual parenting techniques won’t work for everyone, but who knows, maybe you will discover that they work for your kids! Try them!
Great tips! I have to say that kids are calmer when you are and though it is not always easy – it works!
Great tips, I have 6 year old and 3 year old is there you can imagine the situation in my home.
Great tips! You have a lovely blog with quality content. And that is why we’ve nominated you for the ONE LOVELY BLOG AWARD! See the details on accepting your award here http://tunedinparents.com/2015/05/28/one-lovely-blog-award/. Thanks! ~Elle C., Tuned In Parents
I love your tips! I know from experience that my children tend to feed off my emotions. When I respond calmly, they are much more likely to calm down than if I join in their tantrum. Although, I must admit sometimes it’s tempting to tantrum right along next to them! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this! 🙂
I’ll have to try this. My older son does yoga at daycare and so he’s already aware of the breathing exercises and I’d only have to expand on it.
This is great. Children feed off of our demeanor/reactions. If we overreact, they follow suit. These are wonderful tips, I think! 🙂
Found your post on the Snickerdoodle SUnday link up! Great tips. Thanks for sharing!
I no longer have little kids (my son is 10) but I do have grandchildren now and can’t wait to try these techniques. i hope I can calm myself when they are upset though. It usually makes me so nervous. Great post! (found you on Marvelous Mondays)
Everyone talks about the toddler tantrums. I definitely find that if I get down to my daughter’s level…below her eye line, and talk calmy to her, it doesnt take too long for her to settle.
Great advice here.
Thanks for linking up to Marvelous Monday on Smart Party Planning.
Great tips, to calm mama and little one in stressful times 🙂
Good points! Found you on Mommy Monday BlogHop. I found that my kiddos are not well regulated by me. They have to have the space to calm down in their own time. I also don’t get over alarmed at their flighty outburts. Everything will pass. =) Blessings~
With my two year old, when tantrums strike, we take a few deep breaths together. Then she is able to tell me what the problem is, and we can solve it. It has been a sanity saver for sure! Great post.
Great advice! I used to lie in bed with Emma when she was a newborn and breathe heavily while closing my heavy eyes. She would copy me and eventually fall asleep. Not sure if it was that, but she’s always been quite good at sleeping at night. #kidscorner
sharing with my audience because who doesn’t want to help their baby fall asleep?
I knew it worked with babies but I must try it with the toddler. Another one I need to look up is the “lovebomb” technique….#kidscorner
I’m going to try these methods and see how they work. I like trying new techniques.
Great tips! Thanks for sharing at Tips & Tricks! 🙂
These are great tips. I wish I’d known them when my kids were younger. I don’t think they still copy you at 17! Stopping by my Favorite Things Saturday.
Great tips! Getting kids to calm down is always key. Thank you for sharing this at the #SmallVictoriesSundayLinkup!
very interesting post, i never even thought about it but i always say to my older two when they’re playing up calm down and take a deep breath with me, and it does really calm them down thanks for linking up to #kidscorner x
This is something I really needed to read today, definitely need to try the deep breathing techniques! Thank you for sharing in #Kidscorner x
These are great tips! I’ll definitely be trying these out!!
Thank you for sharing with us at #MommyMeetupMondays!