You might not be the only one in the household suffering with stress. Just as adults need to cope with daily hassles, so do children, however they may find it harder to get themselves together as quickly as you can.
An effective way to bring some calm into your children’s lives is through introducing small changes into their usual activities.
1. Lavender Play Dough
We all know the subtle power of lavender to induce calmness and sleepiness. Pushing, squeezing and modelling with play dough is a great stress reliever in and of itself too. Get them to take out their squabbles in the dough!
2. Rain Stick
A rain stick is a lovely craft to make together and then store ready for the crazy-hour, as the sound it makes when turned over is wonderful! Kids can’t help but keep on turning it over and over, listening to the gentle sound until they calm down.
3. Threading beads
Threading beads or cut straws onto pipe cleaners or string is an activity that requires focus and attention, thus calming as they sit quietly and concentrate. They can make some jewellery or a key ring while dinner is cooking!
4. Blow bubbles
Blowing bubbles, whether for a younger sibling or just for themselves, is instantly calming as it requires focus and deep breathing. Of course it involves giggling and jiggling too, but hopefully still in a happier way than their mood might have been in before!
5. Make a reading nook
One of our favourite, low-effort ways to play and unwind is to throw together a reading nook with sheets and blankets. Toss in some cushions, blankets and a basket of books and they can lie down together to browse through them and rest their bodies.