My Mindfulness Buddy - 5-5 x 8-5 Flipbook PDF

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My Mindfulness Buddy

By Pauline Rogers

Copyright © 2020 Pauline Rogers All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

First Edition

ISBN-: 9798656062961

Book credits:

Dedication

About the author Today Buddy is feeling……………? Buddy's new friends….. Note to Caregivers/parents.

How to use this book This book will help your little one recognise their emotions and how to deal with them in a kinder way. There are little practices I recommend you do daily with your child. You can do them every morning and last thing at night, while you're reading them these little bedtime stories. The practices include: • “Finger breathing” which I will explain how to if you want to check them out, • “Tummy breathing with bear”, and the • “Body scan” which brings their attention into the body and gives them a better understanding of what's happening in their body.

Finger Breathing With your child, practice finger breathing using this technique: 1. Open your hand like a starfish 2. Using your pointing finger, starting at your thumb, move your finger around the outside of you hand, as if you were drawing your hand. 3. Now, breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. 4. Breathe in as you go up a finger, and then breathe out as you go down again.

Tummy breathing with your favourite toy Let your child pick their favourite toy; it can be anything, a cuddly toy, a truck, or whatever they like. Lie down and place this toy on their tummy. Now, ask them to take a slow, deep, breath in. Then count: 1,2,3. Ask your child to watch the toy rise and fall as they breath out. Again count: 1,2,3. Ask your child to take nice, deep, slow, breaths, watching their toy gently rising and falling, just like the ocean. The waves come and go, ebbing and flowing.

Continue with this exercise and ask them to stay really quiet and just watch the little toy bobbing up and down as they breathe in and out. You can do this for 10 breaths or longer if they are willing. This helps slow down their heart rate and relax. It also calms your child, helping them get off to sleep better.

The Body Scan Invite your child to lie down on the bed if it's bedtime or on the floor (or wherever is comfortable and safe). Guide them with these words to help them become more aware of their body and to relax. 1) Let your legs and your arms relax and fall to the sides. Settle yourself in a comfortable position and close your eyes. 2) Start by taking two or three gentle, deep breaths. Pay attention to how that feels. Your tummy rises and falls. If you like, place a hand on your tummy and feel it move with each breath.

3) Now we're going to pay attention to the other parts of the body. Can you feel your feet? They might feel warm or cold, maybe tingling or fizzing, relaxed or restless. It's okay if you feel nothing at all. Relax your feet now. If that's hard to do, that's fine. 4) Just let yourself be still. Relax and pay attention as best you can. You might feel socks on your feet or your skin touching the blanket, maybe feel your heel pressing against the bed or the floor. When your mind gets busy, gently bring your attention back to your feet again.

5) Now move your attention to your lower legs. Can you feel anything there? Do they feel heavy, light, warm, cold, or something else? Just do your best and try and relax and give yourself a few moments of rest. Next, move your attention to your knees and relax them. Breathe in and out. Feel the front, back, and sides of your knees. 6) After a few more breaths, move your attention to your upper legs. Whatever you feel, or don't feel, is fine. Notice your legs and let them relax. If you feel restless or wiggly, that's okay too.

That happens. 7) Now move your attention to your tummy. It always moves when you breathe, rising and falling, like waves on the sea. You might feel something on the inside, like gurgling, fuzzy, full or maybe hungry. You might notice the touch of your clothing or a blanket. You might even feel emotions in your tummy, like happy or sad or upset. If you feel that it's hard to focus, that's normal. Gently practice coming back again and again and notice how your chest feels when you breathe. 8) Next, bring your attention to your chest. Notice it rising and falling as you breathe.

If you feel that it's hard to focus, that's normal. Gently practice coming back again and again to how your chest feels when you breathe. 9) Now turn your attention to your hands. There is no need to move them or do anything with them. They may be touching the bed, or the floor, or somewhere on your body. How do they feel, any tingling, fizzy warm or cold? Relax them if you can, and if not, simply paying attention to your hands for another moment. 10) Move your attention up into your arms. Maybe notice if you can find a moment of stillness inside you. 11) Next, move your attention around to your back.

How does it feel against the bed or the floor? Notice how it rocks with each breath. When your mind gets busy or angry or scared, you can always come back to how your body feels in this way for a moment. 12) Now move attention to your neck and shoulders, letting go and relaxing them. 13) And now feel your face and head. What expression do you have right now? What would it feel like to smile? What else do you notice in your face, your head, and in your mind? 14) Finally, spend a few moments, paying attention to your whole body. How do you feel right now?

If it's time for sleep just relax and let that happen, remaining still and continuing to pay attention to your breath or feelings in your body. And if it's time to wake up, open your eyes and sit for a few moments before deciding when to move again.

About Buddy This is a story about Buddy the little bear, who is leaving the city to spend his holidays with his Grandparents on the farm in the country. Buddy felt excited and a little nervous. He had never been away from home for a whole week on his own without Mam, Dad and his little brother Joe. The farm was a long journey away from his home in the city. He hadn't been to visit his grandparents in a quite a while. They drove for ages.

"I can see the farmhouse" Mam said excitedly. Buddy sat up and looked out the window. There was the old farmhouse with grey smoke blowing out of the chimney and there was Grandad Tom in his red tractor ploughing the field. Then he saw Benji the dog coming running up the lane towards us. He was barking like mad! Grandad Tom came to greet them and gave Buddy a big hug. Grandma Gretta was calling from the house. "Come inside" she called "I have some tea and fresh scones baked especially for you".

When we went into the kitchen the smell of fresh baking filled my nostrils. Mmmmm, it smelled yummy!. Buddy ate his fill and then it was time for Mam to go. Buddy felt nervous and afraid. His tummy felt sore and a little sick and he wanted to cry: the tears were stinging his eyes. Mam gave him a big bear hug and told him he was going to have lots of fun and then off she drove. Grandad Tom told Buddy to go outside and play with the animals. He took a big deep breath and off he went.

Day 1 on the Farm… Being Grateful Benji was waiting outside for Buddy… Benji was a black and white collie dog and his job was to help Grandad Tom with the cows every day. Benji was excited, he jumped all over Buddy and was licking his face. It made him feel a little better, so he took another deep breath and wiped away his tears and off he went to visit the animals. "You've gotten very big Buddy, I'd hardly know ya" said Benji. "I’m looking forward to having lots of fun with you this week. I can’t be with you all the time as I have to help Farmer Tom on the farm, but I’ll introduce you to the other animals and you’re going to have lots of fun”.

Benji brought Buddy into the field, “Look” he said, “here comes Bertha”. Bertha was a Friesian cow, she had black and white patches all over her body. She walked slowly up to meet them. “Hello Buddy” she called, Buddy was a little afraid at first, but as he walked towards Bertha, he could see she was a friendly cow. “Hello, how are you Bertha?” asked Buddy. Bertha was chewing her cud and seemed very peaceful. Bertha smiled “I’m doing very well thank you Buddy. Every day I get up early and eats lots of green grass and lovely tasty yellow buttercups so I can make lots of creamy milk for Farmer Tom. Come and walk with me” she said So, we walked through the long grass.

Bertha said, “Take time to look and see the beautiful flowers, look at how yellow the buttercups are… how beautiful they shine in the sunlight! Look up and see the fluffy clouds floating in the sky, they have no worries. Isn’t it wonderful!” exclaimed Bertha. “Mother Earth is so good to us and gives us so much beautiful things. Every day We should say thank you to Mother earth. Today is a good day” said Bertha. Buddy could feel the warm sun on his face. and he was feeling a lot better now! His tummy ache had settled, and he was feeling warm and fuzzy inside. “What are you grateful for today Buddy”? Asked Bertha

“Hmmmm let me see”, he said “Oh! I know! I’m grateful for Gretta’s lovely homemade scones, and for my Mam and Dad and little brother Joe. I’m grateful for my home and friends and all I have, and I’m grateful to be here on the farm” Buddy felt happy! Soon it was getting dark. “It’s getting late”, Bertha yawned “You’d better head back to the house”. Bertha headed off to her barn to cuddle up on her bed of straw. Buddy could hear Benji calling him, Woof, Woof. “Where are you Buddy?” “I’m coming,” called Buddy and he ran all the way back to the house. After Supper he went to bed.

Grandma Gretta Tucked in Buddy and kissed him goodnight. Benji cuddled up beside him, ”So, what did you learn today Buddy?” Buddy thought about what Bertha had told him about Mother nature. “I learned to be grateful for so many wonderful things that Mother nature gives us. I’m so lucky! Ask your child what they’re grateful for today? ”Take three deep breaths. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth, and do your tummy breathing.” said Benji, “Relax your shoulders and your whole body” …. ”So, today you learned to be grateful! Today was a good day” he said. Benji was a wise old dog.

Day 2 on the Farm Being Kind

Next morning Buddy woke suddenly to a very loud noise, it gave him such a fright! His heart was pounding in his chest and he didn’t know where I was. He heard the sound again, ‘Cockadoodledooooooo, time to rise and shine’! said the Sirpecksalot, the Rooster, Then he remembered he was on the farm and lying beside him was Benji. Benji opened his eyes and slowly stretched his whole body and gave a big yawn. ‘Good Morning! Today is gonna be a good day’ he said, ‘so remember to be grateful’….then Benji disappeared off to help Grandad Tom.

Breakfast was yummy, Buddy had creamy oatmeal porridge with honey and blueberries, he licked his lips and remembered what Bertha had told him…. He was so grateful to Mother Earth for giving him the delicious oatmeal and berries and to the bees for their delicious honey. He was also grateful to Grandma Gretta for helping him get breakfast. What a beautiful world this is he thought! Benji was busy helping Grandad Tom so Buddy set off in search of someone to play with…. The sun was shining and he stopped, took a big deep breath and felt the warm sun on his face, how lovely, he thought. He listened to the birds singing their cheery songs, tweet, tweet.

Buddy could hear laughing and squealing coming from the pig sty…He peeped in and saw little piglets jumping and splashing in the mud, they were having so much fun! He wanted to join in but felt shy…so he stayed behind the tree watching them play. Suddenly one of the little pigs bounced up to Buddy and gave him a big smile. ‘Hi I’m Ola’, she said,’ you must be Buddy… don’t be shy come and play with us’…. He didn’t want to go at first as there were so many piglets there ….Ola shouted to the piglets… ‘this is Buddy, he would like to join us’. All of the piglets smiled and said ‘Hello Buddy’ but one little fella seemed quite shy also. He wouldn’t look at Buddy and stayed behind the tree looking sad and lonely. Buddy walked over to him and

smiled, he looked up shyly...’What’s your name’ he asked? He didn’t answer and looked down at his hooves. ’I know how you feel’, said Buddy, ‘sometimes I want to run away and hide because I don’t know what to say to others’….. ’Really’ he answered, ‘I thought I was the only one, My name is Elmo’, he said and smiled. We stayed behind the tree for a little while and we just watched the others playing. I shared some chocolate with him. ‘Thank you’ smiled Elmo. “You have beautiful blue eyes’ I told Elmo’… again he smiled shyly. ‘Why don’t we join in’? I asked him…. so we joined the other piglets….

We had such fun playing catch and lying in the warm sun. Soon it started to get dark, and the bright yellow moon was lighting up the dark sky and the stars were twinkling. ‘Oh, its getting late, Benji will be wondering where I am’ said Buddy, ‘I’d better go’. So we gave each other a big hug! Elmo gave me the biggest hug of all, ‘Thank you’ he said,’ you’re very kind’ Buddy, I had such fun today’. ‘I really enjoyed it too and you’re such a cool piglet. You’re one of a kind!’ said Buddy… ‘Bye Bye everyone’ said Buddy and off he ran as quickly as he could to the house. Benji was waiting for him, ‘where have you been Buddy’? he asked,’ I was beginning to get worried’.

‘ I’m sorry’ said Buddy ‘I was having such fun with Elmo I forgot what time it was’… ‘ Time for bed’ said Grandma, they hopped into bed and Benji snuggled up beside Buddy.…he felt warm and cosy … ’So tell me about your day’ said Benji…..’Oh I had such a fun day, but at first I felt shy because I didn’t know the other piglets, and one little fella Elmo seemed sad and lonely. I felt sorry for him. We got talking and then we had such fun. He gave me a big hug when I was leaving’... ‘So today you learned how to be Kind Buddy, It’s always good to be kind and include others when they are feeling sad or alone. Well done!

(so asking your child about a time when they did something kind and how that made them feel..) ‘Now Take three deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth’ said Benji, Relax your body and we can do some finger breathing … ….inviting the child to do finger breathing (instructions at beginning of book) Benji was a wise old dog.

Day 3 on the farm Being Brave Cockadoodledoooooo! Crowed Sirpecksalot the Rooster…..time to rise and shine! It was morning again. Benji was yawning and stretching! ‘ I feel today is gonna be a good day’, said Benji…..’so lets take three deep breaths, breathing in deeply and breathing out slowly just relax. Today let’s try to be kind and grateful. Enjoy your day’ Benji said as he headed off to meet Grandad Tom. Breakfast was yummy, Buddy munched on his toast gave thanks to Mother Earth for the sun and rain that helped the wheat to grow and the farmers who harvested the wheat and the millers who make the flour and of course to Grandma

Gretta who baked this lovely fresh bread just for him! He also thanked the farmyard hens for their lovely fresh eggs and of course Bertha who gave him lovely creamy fresh milk for his porridge. What a lucky Bear I am thought Buddy. He hopped off merrily to the farm to see what exciting things were gonna happen today. Over in the distance he could hear lambs baaaaing and playing merrily….. he skipped over the fields and watched the little lambs dancing merrily and hopping over the bales of hay… Mammy sheep watched nervously as he approached, ‘Hello’ I’m Buddy’ he said…

She relaxed ‘Hi Buddy, nice to meet you, I’m Winnie’ she said. ‘Why don’t you join in with the lambs and have some fun!’ He watched them as they jumped and skipped over the bales of hay. Up he hopped and they jumped and laughed and played. One of the bigger lambs, Milo was quite rough… Buddy watched as he pushed one of the little lambs. Poor little Ebony fell and bumped his head on a stone, he started to cry. Maaaaa, Maaaaaa he cried but his Mam couldn’t hear him. Buddy ran up to him, ‘Are you ok?’ he asked as he helped him up… He was smaller than the other lambs, ‘Milo always picks on me because I’m not like the others’, he cried…

’ I don’t like being different, I wish I was like them. It’s not fair’ he cried. Buddy put my arm around little Ebony and wiped his little tears. ‘It will be ok’ he said, ‘tell me all about it’. ‘Milo is strong and big, he likes to make fun of me and call me names. He scares me so I try and stay away from him. He picks on the other little ones too’. Said Ebony. ‘Well he is older and bigger than you’ Buddy explained ‘and he isn’t being very nice’. ‘ I think we should tell someone and they may be able to help’ said Buddy. Then his Mam Winnie arrived, ‘Oh dear, what happened?’ She asked, Ebony told her about Milo and how he was always picking on him and calling him names…

‘that’s just awful!’ exclaimed Winnie,’ I think I need to have a word with Milo’ she said. Winnie called Milo ….’Why are you being so mean to Ebony and the other little ones?’ She asked…It’s not ok , How would you like to be treated that way?’ Winnie asked Milo, she was very angry. Milo looked scared, he got upset. All of the little lambs gathered around, they were upset, they looked at Milo, ‘Why are you being so mean? We don’t like when you’re not being nice, we don’t want you to play with us anymore’. Milo didn’t speak…he looked a little scared now,’ I’m sorry’, ‘sometimes my big brother is mean to me, he pushes me and call me names. I’m sorry’ said Milo again,’ I didn’t realise it was making you so sad’.

Winnie said,’ I’m keeping my eye on you, so play fair and be nice. Nobody likes a bully!’ Milo said he was sorry again. Little Ebony and the other little lambs were glad they had told an adult, hopefully now they could all play together. So Ebony gave Buddy a big hug and said ‘thank you, I’m glad I told my Mother, now I’m not so scared anymore’. ‘I’m glad it helped’ said Buddy, ‘it’s always good to talk to an adult. I must go, its getting late’ so I ran all the way to the house. I could hear Benji calling me, ‘Woof Woof, where are you Buddy?’ That night they snuggled up in bed, Buddy was really tired from jumping and playing…

So Benji asked ‘what did you learn today Buddy’? ‘ Well’ said Buddy ‘I learned that it’s always good to talk to and adult when you’re scared, there’s always someone that can help. So today you were kind and brave, well done Buddy! They yawned and took 3 deep breaths and fell fast asleep. (invite the child to speak about times they may be scared and listen mindfully….then practice some belly breathing) Benji was a wise old dog!

Day 4 on the farm Buddy calms his emotions & says Sorry! Buddy woke up to the sound wind howling outside. The trees were swaying from side to side, the rain was banging on the window. Benji was already up and gone. Buddy jumped up and ran downstairs. Grandma Gretta was waiting for him, ‘Good Morning Buddy’ she said cheerily, it’s a very stormy outside today. ‘Grandad Tom and Benji are busy making sure all the animals are safe inside in the barn. I’m afraid you won’t be able to go outside, it’s too dangerous’.

Buddy felt sad, he was looking forward to visiting the ducks today…. ’Can’t I just go out for a little while’ asked Buddy, ‘I’ll be very careful’. ‘Not today’, said Grandma, ‘we’ll have to stay inside where it’s safe’. Buddy was annoyed and upset, ‘but I really wanna go outside!’ he whined. ‘How about you help me with some baking, we can make some buns’, said Gretta. ‘ I don’t want to make buns!’ yelled Buddy and he ran upstairs and banged the door. ‘Oh dear’, thought Grandma Gretta. So she waited for a little while and then went upstairs to see Buddy, He was lying on his bed and crying. ‘

Get out!’ he yelled at Grandma. Buddy just wanted to go outside. He wanted to scream and cry! Grandma took a deep breath and sat down beside Buddy. Sometimes things don’t work out the way we want them to, and we get upset and that’s ok. Tell me how are you feeling right now? ‘Remember what Benji told you, taking a few deep breaths in and out help to calm down your body’. Buddy remembered, he took three deep breaths in and out and began to calm down. Then he did his finger breathing. Can you tell me how you’re feeling in your body Buddy?’ she asked.

‘I feel my shoulders are tight, my heart is pounding and my tummy hurts cried Teddy, my paws are curled up in a fist and I want to scream and shout!’ I just want to go outside’ he cried. ‘That’s ok’ said Grandma, ‘we all get upset when things don’t work out the way we want them to. When I get upset I like to go somewhere quiet and lie down, first I feel what is happening in my body, sometimes my shoulders get tight and I clench my jaw and I want to shout just like you….so I lie down and take deep breaths and then I feel a little calmer. It’s good to talk about your feelings and it’s ok to get angry. Our feelings come and go and change just like the weather, today is stormy and raining outside, but the sun always comes out again, it doesn’t stay stormy forever just like we don’t stay angry or upset forever.

When we practice our breathing and begin to notice what is happening in our body then we can be a little kinder to ourselves and others.’ Buddy was feeling a little better now, Grandma said ‘lets go and bake some buns’. Buddy enjoyed baking with Grandma. He told Grandma how sorry he was he yelled and they hugged! ‘We all make mistakes, sometimes we do and say things we shouldn’t and that’s ok, nobody’s perfect!’ said Grandma. Time flew by and soon it was time for bed. Benji hopped into bed beside Buddy, ‘so tell me Buddy What did you learn today’?

Buddy told Benji how he was so disappointed he couldn’t go outside to play, he was angry and upset. ‘Then Grandma showed me how to breathe in and out and to become aware of how my body was feeling. So I relaxed my body and began to feel a little better.’ Benji explained to Buddy that its ok to get angry and sometimes our thoughts can also upset us. When we do our breathing exercises we can stop and think about how we are feeling and what we are thinking. Our thoughts are just thoughts, just like clouds in the sky, and we can just watch them come and go, letting them float on by! ‘I’m really gonna try that, especially when I’m thinking sad or angry thoughts’, Said Buddy. ‘Tomorrow is another day and the sun will shine again. So today your learned how to notice your

feelings, calm yourself and to say sorry! Well done Buddy! You’re doing great!’ You know a good way to know how your body is feeling and to relax is to do a Body Scan, ‘So lets try it now’ said Benji, (invite your child to say when they felt angry, how did their body feel and what were they thinking… then doing a short body scan) (Script for Body Scan at front of book)… Goodnight Buddy’ said Benji, Benji was a very wise old dog.

Day 5 on the farm

Believe in yourself

Next morning Buddy woke to beautiful bright sunny morning, the birds were singing. Grandma was right. The sun was shining after the storm and he was feeling much better today. He remembered how upset he was yesterday. Grandma had breakfast ready and he told her how sorry he was for yelling at her. Grandma gave him a big hug, and said, Remember Buddy, Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is the present, that’s why it’s a gift! Every day we start again and try our best to be kind. I smiled, I felt happy, today was gonna be a good day!

Buddy ran down to the pond and saw mother Duck taking her little ducklings for their morning swim. They followed behind mother duck. Four of the little ducklings ran excitedly and jumped into the water, Splish, Splash! One little duckling was behind and looked really sad. ‘Come along Chuckie’ called mother Duck. ‘ What’s the matter’?, she asked,’ I’m no good at swimming, I can’t do it!’ he cried, ‘and the other ones can go really fast, I feel stupid’ cried Chuckie. Mother Duck encouraged little Chuckie, ‘I know you’re a little scared but that’s ok. You just need to believe in yourself. I’m gonna help you, just do your best, it doesn’t have to be perfect!’

Mother Duck got a twig, ‘you hold onto one end and I’ll hold the other’, said Mother Duck and I’ll keep you safe until you feel ok to let go.’ ‘I’ll try’, said Chuckie, so off they set. Chuckie put his little webbed feet into the water, he took a big deep breath, then another, then grabbed the twig and they slowly set off down the pond. ‘You’ve got this!’ I called out… His little webbed feet swam and swam. ‘ You can do it! I believe in you!’ said mother Duck…’ I know it’s hard but You’re being very brave’ said Mother. ‘I CAN do it!’ Cried Chuckie. All the other little ducklings Quacked and flapped excitedly,

Look at Chuckie they shouted, he can swim!. Little Chuckie was very happy. ‘I’m so proud of you’, she said to Chuckie,’ every day you will get stronger with practice. Always believe in yourself!’ She said. Buddy was so happy for Chuckie, he couldn’t wait to tell Benji that night. That night they curled up in bed. ‘ So tell me Buddy, how was your day and what did you learn? asked Benji. ‘I had a wonderful day’ said Buddy. ‘ I watched little Chuckie swim, he was nervous at first and thought he couldn’t do it but he was brave and he believed in himself and he did it!’ ‘

Never give up’ said Benji, ‘always believe in yourself, do your best and remember try, try and try again’! Buddy felt peaceful, he did his breathing then he yawned and stretched and they fell fast asleep. (invite your child to speak about a time when they didn’t believe they could do something and help them to focus on all their good qualities and strong points) Do one of the mindful practices – whichever one they like.. Benji was a very wise old dog.

Day 6 on the Farm

My happy Place

It was a lovely sunny morning on the farm. Buddy looked up to the sky and saw a beautiful rainbow with all the different colours, how amazing he thought. Today is gonna be a great day! He was excited. He heard a sound coming from the meadow, heehaw, hee-haw called donkey. Buddy skipped over to donkey,’ Hi there, I’m Buddy, what’s your name.’ said Buddy. ‘I’m Lucky’, said Donkey. ‘Are you ok?’, asked Buddy, ‘I heard you calling’

‘Yes I’m really super duper happy’ said Lucky …’Today I’m visiting my happy place, sometimes when I feel a bit down my Mam tells me to go to my happy place…so I close my eyes and remember a time when I was really happy and having fun!’. ‘Oh that sounds amazing’, said Buddy, ‘can I try?’ He asked. ‘Of course’, said Lucky, just lie down here on the grass and we can do it together. ‘So let’s close our eyes’…..said Lucky ‘Just think about a time when you felt really happy, and calm and relaxed’. Buddy remembered his holidays when they went to the seaside with his Mam and Dad and little brother Joe…. he could hear the waves crashing on the shore, and he could hear the children laughing.

The sun was shining on his face and he felt warm and fuzzy. He could smell the salty sea air. He could feel the warm crunchy sand under his paws… and the cool breeze on his body. The sky was pale blue and the sun was sparkling on the water like diamonds. Then he remembered his Dad got them ice-cream, yummy chocolate ice-cream, delicious. He licked his lips..mmmm… it was dripping everywhere. It tasted soooo good!. Buddy was smiling and felt giddy and happy. Lucky said,’ Whenever I feel a little sad or down I always go to my happy place’.

‘What a lovely idea’, thought Buddy. That night Buddy and Benji headed off to bed, Buddy couldn’t wait to tell him all about Lucky and his happy place. He told him that whenever he’s having a bad day he can just close his eyes and remember his happy place and he could feel better. How wonderful said Benji, what a great way to make you feel better. Benji reminded Buddy that there is always something to be grateful for and when we remember this it also makes us feel better. So they took a few deep breaths and said goodnight. (

So invite your child to do the belly breathing exercise and then to describe their happy place, a time when they felt really happy and safe…Invite them to describe the colours around them, sounds, smells and tastes if it fits in their story, allow them to describe in detail and ask them to remember how they felt) Benji was a wise old dog!

Day 7 on the farm. Today was Buddy’s last day on the farm, he felt sad, he wished he could stay longer but he knew that the holidays were over and he would be back at school on Monday with his friends. Grandad Tom took Buddy for a ride on the tractor around the farm to say goodbye to his friends. He visited Bertha the cow first, Bertha said ‘It was lovely to meet you Buddy, don’t forget what I told you’, ‘Yes’ said Buddy,’ I remember, everyday I am grateful for all the wonderful things in my life, Thank you Bertha!’ Then they went to see the piglets, Elmo waved goodbye, ‘always remember to be Kind’ he shouted,

‘I will’ said Buddy, …. Then Grandad Tom drove up to see the lambs, Milo came running up to Buddy, ‘I’m gonna miss you,’ he said, ‘I’ll remember to always speak with a grown up if I’m worried or scared’ said Milo, ‘thank you for helping me’. ‘ You’re welcome’ said Buddy, ‘I’m gonna miss you too’ he said. They visited the pond next and Chuckie quacked excitedly when he saw Buddy coming, ‘I can swim all the way across the pond now without Mother. I believe in myself now and I CAN do it!’ he said. ‘That’s right’ said Buddy, ‘never give up’, ‘you are a very brave Duckling’. Next they visited Lucky, the little donkey.

He had a big grin on his face, Buddy gave him a big hug and thanked him for teaching him all about his Happy Place. Remember when you’re feeling down to go to your happy palce! Said Lucky Farmer Tom took a picture of all the animals and Buddy so that he could remember all his little friends on the farm. Benji jumped up on Buddy and licked and hugged him, I’ll miss you Buddy, take good care of yourself and remember to be grateful, kind, believe in yourself and to practice your breathing exercises everyday, they will help you when you feel upset. Buddy hugged Benji, you are such a wise dog Benji, thank you for all your kindness.

So until next time, Take care and keep breathing in and out and be kind to yourself and others! And remember,,be kind whenever possible … It’s always possible!