MY OLD FRIEND, THEN- GUEST POST AND GIVEAWAY

My Old Friend, Then- Guest Post and Giveaway

4/28/2022

This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Riverlet Press. All opinions are my own.

Book Information

My Old Friend, Then
Written by Katherine Davis-Gibbon
Illustrated by Allie Daigle
Ages 4 and up | 40 Pages
Publisher: Riverlet Press LLC
ISBN-13: 9781737957607
Publisher’s Synopsis: A child ponders … who is her best, most loyal friend? Is it her constant companion, Then, who regales her with extravagant stories of their shared past and imagined future? Or is it precious, patient Now, with whom she sensitively explores each new moment that unfolds?

My Old Friend, Then explores mindfulness the same way that kids approach life: with curiosity, humor, and unspoiled sincerity. Pairing accessible and relatable language with vivid, quirky illustrations, this book invites readers to share in a young girl’s journey as she grapples with the trappings—and delights in the boundless potential—of her own brilliant mind.

Buy it now

Katherine Davis-Gibbon is a yoga teacher, a longtime practitioner of Vipassana meditation, and most importantly a mother of two. She is also the founder of Riverlet Press, a children’s book company for conscious parents raising mindful kids.
For more information, visit www.riverletpress.com

Allie Daigle is an illustrator who strives to create immersive and expressive images that stimulate the imagination. Whether for a children’s book, a product label, or her original pieces, Daigle’s works implore the viewer to linger and explore the details within. Allie primarily works with traditional watercolor & ink as well as digital mediums.
For more information, visit www.alliedaigle.com.

Kid-Friendly Activities to Cultivate Mindfulness
by Katherine Davis- Gibbon

No matter where a child’s mind might go—and goodness knows they go a lot of places—their body is always here. It physically exists in this space at this moment. Fortunately (if they’re enjoying some ice cream) or unfortunately (if they’re having a cavity filled), it cannot be anyplace else.

The body continuously informs us about the present through the portals of our five senses. If our thoughts tip us off balance—propelling us towards an uncertain future or dragging us back to the ruminative past—we can rely on the anchors of our senses to moor us safely in the here and now.

Each of our senses is a miraculous tool, but we are so accustomed to using them for mundane purposes that we all too easily take them for granted. It takes effort to dial the volume down on our thoughts, and up on our senses, but doing so builds a strong foundation for mindfulness.

A great way to hone one sense is through the deprivation of another. This is part of the reason why meditators often close their eyes: because removing sight heightens our awareness of smell, taste, touch, and hearing (hearing not only the birds outside our window, but also the thoughts that flow through our minds).

ACTIVITY: Isolating and exploring individual senses can be an extremely luxurious experience. Fortunately, it is also something that kids find fun! I can think of no better place to play with this than the sumptuous environment of a warm, silky bath, which naturally engenders relaxed attention (and is also very useful for getting kids clean).

Invite your child to lay back in the tub. You can support the weight of their head with one hand, if that helps (this tender act will instantly tune you into each other and highlight the collaborative nature of this exercise). As warm water fills your child’s ears, it will muffle their hearing, therefore heightening their four other senses. There are so many directions you can go from here, so follow your child’s lead.

Which sense do they seem most interested in?
If your child comments on how things sound underwater, then give them something interesting to listen to! Try tapping, scratching, or rubbing your fingers against the tub. Waft the surface of the water to make waves, or drip water into the tub from the tips of your fingers. Lower your mouth into the water to speak, sing, or blow bubbles. Be creative, spontaneous, and collaborative, but don’t rush. Allow your child plenty of time to experience and comment on one sound, before trying another.

If your child is staring upwards with a bemused expression, they might be enjoying the way that their sight seemed to sharpen when their hearing went dull. Offer something to look at—a sponge or toy up close, or a finger, hand, or elbow. They may find that their own familiar body parts look funny from this perspective or observe how the water alters or magnifies the texture of their skin. Encourage them to close one eye at a time or squint with both--or to turn their head, watching the play of the water’s surface from a zoomed in perspective.

If your child is comfortable closing both eyes, then focus on how things feel. Encourage them to notice every single spot where the water contacts or leaves their skin, and what happens when you create gentle waves with your free hand. You can dip your fingers into the water and release a single drop on different parts of their body. Or invite them to take some deep, belly breaths, so the water floods onto their abdomen and then flows away.

Noticing is the first step in mindfulness practice, and naming is the second. You can model this by naming body parts (“forehead,” “tummy,” “foot”) or qualities (“rough,” “warm,” “squeaky”), but keep your contributions sparse and simple. Alternatively, you can embrace the silence. If your child seems captivated and content, they are already observing deeply and well. Let them bask in their own rich awareness, trusting that they will comment when they’re ready.

Listen with interest to whatever your child shares. If a more extensive, fantastical narrative arises, then name it--as accurately as you can. For example: a toddler who dislikes the sights and sounds of water whirling down the drain will benefit from sharing the fantasy this sparks in their mind. Listen and empathize first, before framing this experience as “a scary story:” so you validate emotions, while clicking the details into clearer perspective. Afterwards, key them back into the present by making eye contact and appealing to their senses (“warm towel,” “slippery feet”).

If at any point your child wants to switch roles, by all means welcome this. Close your eyes while they guide your hand through the water or tickle your nose with the rough fibers of a washcloth. When your child takes the lead, it means they are eager to assimilate what they’ve learned.

Final Thoughts: Take these suggestions as loosely and liberally as you can: they are not offered as steps to replicate, but ideas to inspire your own creativity. Be in the moment and embrace what comes up! Remember: mindfulness is not an activity, but a mindset to bring to whatever you’re doing. Eating can be a mindful activity. Waiting in line at the store can be a mindful activity. Having a disagreement can be a mindful activity, if approached with good will and careful attention (yes, this one’s trickier). Any time your child accurately notices something that is happening inside or outside of themselves in real time rather than hindsight, they are already doing it. And every time you attune to your little one—whether in play, conversation, or in simple, sweet silence—you are doing it with them.

Giveaway

Enter for a chance to win an autographed copy of My Old Friend, Then, along with a box of You're Wonderful Thoughtfulls!
One (1) winner receives:
An autographed hardcover copy of My Old Friend, Then
A box of You're Wonderful Thoughtfulls pop-open cards by Compendium Inc.
Three (3) winners receive:
An autographed hardcover copy of My Old Friend, Then
Giveaway ends May 4 2022, at 11:59 P.M. MT.