Relax Kids - Is happiness a skill you can learn?

Who doesn't want their child to sleep well, to be calm, imaginative, creative and confident?  That's what I strive for every single day.  It's what I worry I'm not doing right, or enough.  It's what niggles me most about parenting, that bigger picture of raising fully rounded, happy human beings.

We have been testing a Relax Kids meditation CD and I am really impressed.  I think it's something magical, something simple, something really special.  Relax Kids books and CDs are designed to help children of all ages sleep better, develop imagination, creativity and confidence.  I am really excited about the effect it is having on my two.

Miss L is four so we were given the Superhero Fairytale Meditation CD.  For last month we have put it on after we have finished reading her bedtime stories.  From the most enchanting music emerges the most relaxing, soothing voice, who narrates Miss L into being Aladdin floating on a carpet, to being Jack climbing the beanstalk, to being Peter Pan flying.

Miss L never has any problems falling asleep, but I do think she has seemed much calmer about being in her room at night.  We have gone through the loss of my mum in this time, so there has been more anxiety.  The Superhero CD suited us because it specifically tackles anxiety. 

Miss L has developed hugely in the last month in terms of emotional intelligence and confidence with new situations.  After months of crying about pre-school she suddenly skips happily out of the door.  Her ability to tell stories has developed rapidly and she is continually making up new songs.  I am fascinated that she has made leaps and bounds at a difficult time, when I would have expected her to regress.   The afirmations, relaxation techniques and visualisations used are all proven techniques in encouraging mental and emotional health.

L has her own CD player in her room which she can operate herself.  She has always listened to a classic FM for babies or a story CD at bedtime until now.  Now she chooses Superhero Magical Meditations.  There are also fairytale and princess meditations for this age group, and a more grown up Chill Skills range for 7-11 year olds.  Specific CDs also tackle issues such as hyperactivity, concentration, sleep, self esteem, anxiety, anger, emotions, motivation.

Although younger than the target audience, 2 yo Mr G moved from a cot to a bed in the last month, and was struggling to settle, so we tried the CD a few times.  He settled beautifully listening to it.  He has since given up his lunchtime nap.  I am going to try the CD out with them both at lunchtimes, because I know they need the rest as much as I do.  That or I will curl up and hide myself in Miss L's bed and repeat after the CD:

'It feels good to be calm. I enjoy being peaceful.  I like being silent.' 

I can also see it being great in the car.  Plus I would like to try the 21 day Relax Kids plan to calm the whole family.  On that note, I'm just listening to the Peter Pan track as I type.  I am visualising having just landed in a tree.  Magic stuff.   Now I am spinning and zig zagging over fluffy white clouds.  I am free.  I absolutely love it. 

Check out http://www.relaxkids.com/ and listen to a snippet here.


I received a sample copy in exchange for this post.  I only review things that are meaningful to me.