First of all, your child’s progress or relapse has a direct relationship to your energy and emotional stability. If your nerves are jangled, then your child will reflect this nervousness.

However, learn to become present, slow yourself down and see what happens!

1. CONSISTENCY

Choose a consistent place and time either in the late afternoon or evening before bed. These are ideal times to give your child the message to settle down. Shut off cell phones, take the phone out of the bedroom or out from under the bed!

2. COMMITMENT

Commit to a regular practice. The duration of time is not as important as the consistent

daily practice, even a few minutes a day can make a difference in the improvements.

Learning is internalized and becomes automatic.

3. CLARITY

Be clear about your objective. If you want your child to learn relaxation skills in order to use them on their own, then your objective is not to “fix” your child’s upset emotions, but rather,

to redirect your child’s attention and attitude to self-care. In short, instead of responding to a

cry for help; shift your focus to say to your child: “You know how to calm yourself”…(Allow this statement to rest in a PAUSE. Tune inside so you can feel yourself becoming calm and being present . When you have accessed peace within yourself, then continue with confidence say to your child: ”Now, breath, slowly in and out, that’s right! You see you can calm yourself!”