How to use NLP Anchoring to calm your child

The metaphor of an anchor is very appropriate because when we feel adrift, lost, confused and overwhelmed by parenting it is helpful to put down an anchor to stabilise ourselves and find a calm place in my mind and body. We can rely on the anchor because it is heavy and solid and it won’t let us down. From there we can access our resources to move on in what we’re doing. We use anchoring to achieve a sense of control and resourcefulness in any situation. As parents we might use it when:

• The baby’s crying and you’ve done everything (changed nappy, fed her, cuddled her etc). You want to cry too.

• School holidays and the kids are screaming at each other they are bored and you’re clean out of ideas.

• Your toddler’s has just refused to eat his food again and you’ve cooked it just the way he likes it.

• Your boss wants you to do a presentation but it’s on your son’s sports day and you feel torn

The sense of calm you get from anchoring can help you find that inner resource and bring it out when and w…