Children’s Mindfulness

1:57 A pivotal moment for Louise during her childhood.

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3:40 We delve into Louise’s years in education, what that experience was like/what she learnt and how this the foundation for leading her into birthing The Calm Folk.

 

“There was an anxious child, a really anxious child and I started to do some meditation with him and the transformation of this child with just a 5 minute meditation was incredible. And I just thought, from there, this lightbulb that this is what I’m supposed to do, and that’s how the calm folk was born.”

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9:20 Are children naturally meant to be stressed? Here we discuss the pace of life and how it’s changed. The four pillars (see link below). 

 

10:50 The Calm Folk - what it is, how it’s evolved since the beginning as well as how it’s this year has meant branched out further into new areas.

 

13:06 The Calm Folkie Breathing Buddy - a physical tool Louise has created to help people at home. 

 

15:20 Personal experience of being a mother.

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MINDFULNESS:

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19:37 How Louise describes ‘Mindfulness’. And how has it helped her personally with her anxiety. How it helps to start early with children. 

 

23:15 How important is it for parents to practice mindfulness. 

 

24:20 A particular story where Louise has seen a huge change. Here we discuss anger. The creation of a ‘Zen Den’ and a tool kit to help.

 

27:00 Top tip for parents at home if their child is anxious. 

 

“Just taking one or two conscious breaths allows that pause. Allows that moment to disconnect from whatever’s going on in that moment. And just gives you a little time to respond rather than react and that even goes for little ones as well. Everybody if you just take a nice gorgeous breath in and relax with a big sigh, that is enough time to change things, change the chemistry in your body, I’m just a huge huge fan of breath work, so my number 1 tip is slow, conscious, mindful breaths.”

 

29:09 Rituals and routines and the benefits of these to prevent stress. Best times to do certain ones.

 

30:15 Sponsor Section 

 

MINIMALISM:

 

31:30 Minimalism and what that means to Louise.

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35:17 Suggestions for having a Minimalist Christmas. Here we discuss whether too many toys are overwhelming for children. The 4 gift rule Louise adopts in her house at Christmas: ‘something they want, something they need, something to eat, something to read.’ The boundaries Louise creates with family and friends in terms of her minimalist principles e.g. no plastic. Secret Santa with the extended family. ‘Dip your toe into the lake method’ was the phrase neither of us could remember. 

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"The least a toy can do the better it is for the child, was always how I used to buy my children’s toys, just to really help with their imagination. Because something that’s full of beeps, tips and all of this, they used to play with it for a second, discard it and then play with the empty box for hours."

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PERSONAL:

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40:38 People that have inspired Louise.

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43:23 What Louises personal daily mindful habits and rituals are.

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46:35 Nature and why it’s so important for Louise. We discuss her ‘health’ anxiety.

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51:25 Highly Sensitive People

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"Children look at the world differently to adults and I just wish we could be more like them."

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54:01 Rapid Fire Question series

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"Minimalism for me is freedom. That’s what it feels like to be a minimalist. Because I am a highly sensitive person, clutter makes me itch inside."