---
title: Modeling balance, joy, and being present for your child
description: >-
  Discover how modeling balance, joy, and presence can benefit your family.
  Learn practical tips to navigate busy times and find stability amidst the
  chaos.
date: '2024-12-11'
author: Brightline
category: Blog
tags:
  - Self-care and parental stress
  - Holidays
  - Stress management
canonical_url: >-
  https://www.hellobrightline.com/learning-hub/blog/modeling-balance-joy-and-being-present-for-your-child/
source: Brightline
license: © 2026 Brightline. All rights reserved.
slug: modeling-balance-joy-and-being-present-for-your-child
id: 3P7S5rxS8UL7cO7Qtbo3rj
contentType: article
---

**Blog**

![Dad, son, and dog in woods](https://images.ctfassets.net/96gdpqkm7elu/5GryM60RORyBfmZFE4E50y/9950a2720b49499e9118ff626dba48eb/AdobeStock_141346500.jpeg)

If you’re here, it means you’re probably curious about how to balance everything during the next (busy!) month. Let’s start with this:

*Take a deep breath in and a long breath out. Then, close your eyes as you do it again. Release your jaw and relax your shoulders. Hold your hands in tight fists for a couple seconds. Then let the tension go and shake your arms out.*

Feel a little more ready to focus on reading for a few minutes? Good. And guess what? You also just learned a powerful tool to help you stay present and calm during busy times. (Keep reading for more.)

When you’re able to model being present for your kids, they’ll have a chance to learn that skill, too. At this time of year especially, it’s about learning how to crowd out some of the chaos to make room for what matters most to you and your family. 

The holiday season can mean different things to different people. For some, the holidays might feel joyful and festive. These families may embrace noise, busyness, and an abundance of fun events on a full calendar.

But for others, the month of December can feel more challenging. It can be a stressful or lonely time, especially for those who are worried about finances, grieving the loss of a loved one, or concerned about what the new year will bring.

Whether you enjoy the holidays or are just trying to get through them, stress can find you. And because your kids are watching and learning from you, the goal is for you to find healthy ways to keep your balance. Among the good times — and the not-so-good times — you can build that stability. 

Here are three ideas to start with:

- **Tap the brakes:** You already tried this one today! The breathing/grounding exercise you did at the beginning of this article is one way to slow down. You can do it anywhere and anytime.
- **Make a list:** Think about how you want to *feel* (not about what you have to do). Then list the top three feelings and unapologetically do what makes you feel that way. If baking makes you happy, start the oven. If watching the news steals your peace, turn the TV off and listen to music instead. If laughing more is the goal, cue the comedies, the tickle sessions, or playtime with the family pet. You get the idea.
- **Take a time-out:** Sometimes what your child needs to clear their mind is a little quiet time, right? It works for parents and caregivers, too. Just a few minutes alone (yes, in the bathroom or the carpool line counts) can give you a chance to gather your thoughts and get back to how you want to feel.

Most importantly, remember that no person or situation has to be perfect to be enjoyed, appreciated, or celebrated. That includes you. And knowing that might be the biggest gift of all this season.

