Being with Babies and Toddlers - Grounding
by Angela Whitmeyer

When was the last time you were confronted with a baby or toddler crying or screaming loudly? Where were you – at home, at a restaurant, at the grocery store? And was this your child, or someone else’s?

Knowing that it takes a community to raise a child, here’s a skill we can all use whenever we come in contact with a distressed infant: grounding ourselves before responding to the infant. When we feel grounded, we have a sense of calm and we feel connected with our inner self. We feel “solid” and can be available for someone under stress. Once we are grounded and centered within ourselves, we are better able to slow our pace and be present for this upset little one. In turn, the child can feel, and resonate with, our internal rhythm. As we feel grounded, and as we move at a pace that matches the child’s, we create the basis of a healthy support system for the infant or child.

Let me lead you through a simple grounding technique I use. Start by saying to yourself “Mother Earth” and allow yourself to feel a connection with the earth. Feel that in your body. Notice how the energy moves up through your feet, up your legs, and into the trunk of your body. Next, say to yourself “Father Sky” and sense the energy coming in through the top of your head. Feel your head, neck, torso and arms as the energy moves downward toward the earth energy inside you.

Now say “front side” and feel the front parts of your body. Get a sense of the front of your legs, the front of your chest, the front of your arms, your face. Then say to yourself “back side” and feel the back parts of your body. Notice the sensations at the back of your legs, your back, the back of your arms, the back of the neck, and the back of your head.

Next say “right side” to yourself and feel that part of your body. Connect with how the entire right side of your body feels – all the way in toward your center. Say “left side” and sense the entire left side of your body. Again, notice those sensations all the way toward the center of your body.

Lastly, say “inside” to yourself and pay attention to all the sensations going on inside your body. Notice your muscles, the sensation of your heart pumping, your breathing, the gurgles in your intestines. Then say “outside” to yourself and feel everything going on outside your body, including the surface of your skin.

Now, close your eyes and repeat the pairs of words to yourself again (“Mother Earth – Father Sky,” “front side – back side,” “right side – left side,” “inside – outside”). Pause after each pair of words. This time you may find it easier to notice sensations in your body with each set of words.

Whenever you have some free moments throughout your day, close your eyes and repeat the words to yourself. I find that when I complete the last pair and say “outside,” I open my eyes and feel refreshed as I connect again with the world outside myself.

After practicing this technique repeatedly, you may find yourself saying “Mother Earth – Father Sky – front side – back side – right side – left side – inside – outside” with less time between each phrase. With further practice, you will find it becoming easier to quickly get the sense of being grounded. Eventually, all you may need to say to yourself is “Mother Earth, Father Sky” and you’ll immediately feel yourself as calm, grounded and centered.

You may even get to the point of being able to silently check in with yourself while in the middle of an interaction with an infant or toddler, and recognize you are grounded as soon as you say “Mother Earth.” Then the next time you hear a child’s cry or scream, and you say to yourself “Mother Earth, Father Sky,” you will know yourself as fully present for the child as you assist him/her with their upset.

Excuse me, gotta run. . . (“Mother Earth. . .”)

Angelyn Whitmeyer is a graduate of the two-year Prenatal and Birth Therapy Foundation Training developed and taught by Raymond Castellino, an internationally respected pioneer in the field of prenatal and birth trauma resolution for infants, children and adults. In addition to her practice as a prenatal and birth therapist with child-centered family sessions, Angelyn also facilitates the Birth Heritage Workshop for adults. She is an energy healer trained in polarity, Reiki and cranio-sacral therapy. Angelyn brings a grounded presence as she creatively assists each person with their healing. You can contact her at 336-427-2562 or by email at angelpolarity@mindspring.com.