Helping Your Grandkids Handle Stress: A Mindfulness Care Package
As an Amazon affiliate, I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. Thank you for helping to keep this site up and running.
Whenever I consider what to send to my grandchildren, I go back to my grandparent vision statement. One of my goals is to teach them to explore the world. So when I put together a care package, I look at as a way to expose them to something new. Of course, I also want it to be fun for them, and to provide them with activities that will give their parents a bit of a break.
A couple of years ago, I sent my grandchildren a care package with a mindfulness theme. I decided on a mindfulness care package after learning about how the practice of mindfulness can benefit children. One study showed that children ages 7-11 who were given mindfulness practice reported more satisfaction with their lives satisfaction, more positive outlooks and were better at regulating their emotions.
The simplest definition of mindfulness is paying full attention to something, and paying attention is a crucial skill for kids! Helping them learn to focus, breath and relax will help them deal with frustration and stress, something that is part of everyone’s life.
What did I include?
First, Yogi, a yoga card game that includes a variety of kids’ activities. While yoga and mindfulness are two distinct things, they share many elements. Yoga helps kids pay attention to their bodies and breath. It’s a great activity when the kids need to move and it’s too hot for a bike ride or too cold to play in the yard. The report from the ground was that they loved it.
Next, My First Mandalas Coloring Book and new markers from Crayola, Pip-Squeaks Skinnies. These washable markers are designed for little hands, and the box of 64 colors was met with complete and utter delight. SO MANY COLORS!
Despite all those colors, a certain three-year-old still colored her first mandala almost entirely in pink.
And of course, books! Mindfulness for Little Ones: Playful Activities to Foster Empathy, Self-Awareness, and Joy in Kids by Hiedi France, Ed.D will require a parent or grandparent to read and lead the activities. It’s a valuable book to add to a family library, with fun activities that engage kids while subtly imparting lessons that will help them as they grown. You might want a copy to keep at your house for when the grands are visiting and you need a little something to keep them entertained.
Never underestimate the appeal of books that have been around for decades! A classic, The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown, asks children to think deeply about the importance of everyday objects. The simple concept and colorful pictures resonated with the grandchildren: it’s been a repeated request at story time since they got it.
They also loved the adorable board book, Mindfulness Moments for Kids: Breathe Like a Bear by Kira Willey, shares mindful meditation exercises for the very young. Anni Betts’ beautiful illustrations featuring a sweet bear cub show children how to feel calm.
“Breathe Like a Bear” was a hit!
And finally, A Handful of Quiet: Happiness in Four Pebbles by Thich Nhat Hanh shares the concept of mindfulness in a way that children can understand and practice. Pebble mediation is a simple practice that can relieve stress, increase concentration, nourish gratitude, and help children deal with difficult emotions. It’s a book we might all want to read!
Because I also want to invest in my relationship with my daughter-in-law, I also sent a tiny gift for her: some soap that smells like her favorite tea. My hope is that when she uses it, she will breathe deeply, remember she is loved, and find a mindful moment of joy—or at least peace! (If you missed our post on nurturing your relationship with your daughter-in-law, go read it now!)
Like any other skill, mindfulness takes practice to develop. Introducing it while they are young will help your grandchildren learn to understand their emotions and develop a useful tool for handling life’s stress.
Looking for more ideas for what to send to grandchildren? Check out these posts: