YEAR OF ZEN: AUTUMN: DAY 21

Dance - Henri Matisse

Q: Nobody (including children) likes to being told to “calm down.” How can you distract a child with laughter?

A: This is a practice I feel well-versed in as we use it regularly around our home. Both Ceci and Eli have proven to be resilient and good at self-soothing but there are still opportunities to intervene and fix something when it goes sideways. At a very young age playing peek-a-boo, or simply diverting attention with any object immediately at hand, proved effective. Sometimes it takes a little more, but not often. At Ceci’s age it is more of a challenge, particularly as she stares down the sea of change that comes with puberty and adolescence. Just when it feels like the seas have calmed they start raging again. In any event, I am blessed to have two amazing children.