Self care, playtime, and activity ideas (+ calm talk, reassurance, and grounding techniques) for littles in any situation. Especially those who are without a CG, in a situation where being with your CG is difficult, or if you just need a little extra support
Part 1: Personal reassurance, calming dialog, grounding/breathing techniques, care check, + how to calm down
Welcome little one! How has your day been? Good? Bad? In between? I hope you are having a good day, but I'm sorry if you are having a bad one. Are you behaving yourself? (At least for the most part, but I know that we can all have a little mischievous streak in us sometimes ๐)
For now though, I want you to do something for me. Let's talk about how you are feeling! Calm? Happy? Sad? Maybe you have the wiggle-giggles, the weary-tearies, the lonely bug, the sleepy heads, the worry monsters, or something else! If you can't find the words, maybe you can tell me a story, draw a picture, or something else to let me know hoe you feel. Can you do that? I know it can be big and scary, but whatever you are feeling is completely normal, you know? Sometimes even the littlest of babies can get big feelings! But you don't have to worry about the big things right now, you are too little for that! It's all ok
How about we try to think of some ways to have fun and relax, oki? But before we get started, I want you to do something!
Can you take some biggg breaths with me? (Just like blowing bubbles! I heard worry monsters can be scared of bubbles! Isn't that silly?) Let's do that a few times!
If that doesn't work, or even if it does, there is another technique called "grounding". And don't worry! It's not the bad type of grounding, it's just a way to relax and focus on what is around you! In this example, I'm going to need you to go to a safe and comfy spot! Or just get comfy right where you are. After you are comfy, I want you to take deep breaths 3 times. In.... hold. Out... just like the blowing bubbles example above. Then you need to name 5 things you can see, a bird? The wall? And try to find at least 3 shapes, how many can you find? "that clock. Is it a circle?" What shape is that poster? Or that cloud? Your teddy bears nose. Is it a heart? A triangle? A circle? Use your imagination for this! If you can see shapes, can you see pictures in it too? If you need to keep going, take 3 deep breaths again, and close your eyes. What good or familiar things do you hear? Ice cream truck? Birds? That soft music? Even yourself breathing? It all counts! Try to find at least 3! Keep your eyes closed and breathe 3 times again, but this time.. what can you feel or touch? Your feet on the floor? The wind? a wall? A tree? Your bed? A cute animal? Touch your hands, your head, anything! Can you think of at least 5? Focus us much as you can on all of those things! Then breathe 3 times again, and open your eyes. Name more things you can see, if you want to. Do you feel calmer and more relaxed? I hope so! You can also find colors, think of 5 things you like to do, just use your imagination!
Next, I want you to make sure you have had enough to drink today, did you get some water? Once that is done, maybe get a comfort item. (If you have or want one, that is) and snuggle in so you can get ready to listen to some of these tips
Part 2: self care and activity ideas for little ones, especially those without an available CG
Given that it's both fun and relaxing, it's no surprise that most littles love to color. For extra difficulty, you can even try to make your own coloring pictures and color them in! Just be careful not to make too much of a mess
โ If possible, make yourself a little area while you are not regressed (be it a box, bag, corner, etc. The important thing is that this area has everything you may need when regressed. Make some littlespace snacks and put them in there
(as long as you are either going to eat soon, it's in a cooler/lunchbox, or it's not something that will go bad very quickly) Ideally, this space will have everything you can think of: Toys, snacks, a drink, pacifier, comfort item(s), coloring book and supplies, gaming console, music for little playlists, etc. And should be free of anything potentially dangerous (see "how to pack a little bag" on our CG blog!)
โ Have a bubble bath and fill it with bath toys
โ Have a snack! (Just be sure not to make it using knives/hot stoves to avoid any accidents)
โ listen to some little music
โ Cuddle with a stuffie
โ if possible, have a "playdate" with other littles!
โ Get outside and/or try something active!
Just be safe out there, but have fun
โ Take yourself on a little outing, only if you can
โ Love yourself and be gentle
โ When you aren't little, you can try to create some rules for yourself just to be safe. And don't be afraid to ask for help (If you want me to post about something specific, such as good rules for littles, feel free to make requests!)
โ Tea party with stuffed
โ Play with toys! Blocks, play doh, stuffed, whatever you like
โ cuddle with a pet (if you have one) and or a blankie/stuffy
โ Be sure you have everything prepared for yourself (back to making a little area/bag/box)
If you have any ideas, feel free to let me know! Thank you, take care, and have a great day/night. Stay playful!
