Creating Safety and a Sense of Home

Routines can be a stabilizing constant that children can count on and look forward to, and parents can integrate them into many different moments throughout the day. Use these strategies to foster a sense of home anywhere: 

In the morning: 

• Do the same stretching and breathing exercises together every morning. Stretch tall, touch your toes, then take three deep breaths. 
• Add a daily “mantra” such as “I am loved,” “I am strong,” “I believe in myself,” or “This will change” to set the tone for the day. 

At bedtime: 

• Cuddle together and sing the same lullaby each night. 
• Belly-breathe! Put your hands on your bellies and take three deep breaths in and out, feeling your bellies rise and fall. 
• Observe the shape of the moon or count the stars before bed.  
• Hold your child’s hands as she falls asleep.