Do you think of yourself as a patient person? On this episode we’ll talk about how you can use mindfulness, or other creative ways to pass the time when waiting feels hard. ⏳
Show Notes
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Please send us a voice memo, drawing, or letter at hello@likeyoupodcast.com. We play a voice memos from listeners either at the beginning of an episode or during the affirmation segment of the episode. If your child wants to be included, record a voice memo and send it to us. Your child can introduce themself and then say a favorite affirmation, sing a line from a Like You song, say what they like about the show, or share whatever they feel! Keep it short (10-20 seconds). For more info on how to record and send a voice memo, see this post.
Like You is a production of Perpetual Motion. The show is written and produced by Noah Glenn. The show’s artwork was illustrated by Mia Saine. Episode art is created by Lindsey Glenn.
This episode features original music by Noah Glenn.
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Transcript
Noah: Hey everyone! Listener support is what makes this podcast possible. When you sign up for a Like You Subscription you gain access to special bonus content. Please consider supporting the show by subscribing through Apple Podcasts or Patreon. Thanks! And here’s today’s show.
[intro music]
Noah: Hello! I’m Noah and this is Like You, a mindfulness podcast for kids. I’m so glad you’re here! Do you think of yourself as a patient person? On this episode we’ll talk about what to do when waiting feels hard. So listeners of all ages, find a place to listen where you feel comfortable and safe. As I ask questions and invite you to say affirmations, you’re welcome to speak out loud, or as always, you can just think your responses quietly in your mind.
Let’s start with a patient breathing exercise. I’ll ask you to breathe in as long and slow as you can. Then you’ll hold your breath and wait as I count to five. Then slowly blow the air out. If you have trouble holding your breath, that’s ok. Just breathe when you feel like you need to.
Here we go. Take a long slow breath in. Hold it for 1-2-3-4-5. And breathe slowly out. Once again, a slow breath in. Hold your breath 1-2-3-4-5. Slowly breathe it out. Once more. Slow breath in. Hold it 1-2-3-4-5. Slow breath out. Great job! Now on the count of three let’s all say I like me. 1-2-3. I like me.
I like you too. You are strong, patient, and kind.
You know what? That breathing exercise reminded me of one of our short breathing songs called “Hold it for a Moment.” Why don’t I sing a little bit of that song as you continue practicing long patient breaths? Sound good? Ok, I just need to find where I left that song. Can you wait while I search for the song? [searches for song ~15 seconds].
Oh, here’s the song! Thanks for waiting. I’ll just start playing the song… Now breathe along with the words of this song as I sing.
Breathe deep
Hold it for a moment then
Slowly blow it out
(Then once again you)
Breathe deep
Hold it for a moment then
Slowly blow it out
And while you’re breathing
Think of happy things
Relax
Keep breathing as I sing
(Then once again you)
Breathe deep
Hold it for a moment then
Slowly blow it out
Breathe deep
Hold it for a moment then
Slowly blow it out
Fill your lungs
As you breathe along
Hear your heart beat
Adding rhythm to your song
Breathe deep
Hold it for a moment then
Slowly blow it out
Breathe deep
Hold it for a moment then
Slowly blow it out
Waiting can be hard to do, can’t it? I know I find it hard to wait when I’m looking forward to something. What are some things that you find it hard to wait for? I’m listening if you want to say your answer out loud.
Maybe it’s hard for you to wait for your birthday. Or the weekend. Or a playdate with your best friend. Or maybe you’re excited about an upcoming holiday and you feel like you don’t want to wait any longer.
How does it feel when someone tells you to be patient, or that you’ll have to keep waiting for something? I’m listening if you want to share your thoughts.
It can feel frustrating or annoying to wait. Maybe it even makes you angry to wait. Maybe it makes you feel like you don’t have any control over the situation. Does waiting ever make your face scrunch up into a pout?
Whatever you feel when you have to wait, I know that waiting can be hard to do. But some times waiting is the only option. We can’t make the days go by any faster. We can’t make the clock tick faster. So what do we do when we have to wait? That’s a good question. It can help to take your mind off the waiting by focusing on something else. Pick an activity you like to do to pass the time. Draw a picture, talk to a friend, take a walk with your family, or read a book. Or you could try some mindful ways to pass the time. You could try taking slow deep breaths and counting how many breaths you take. Or you could pick something close to you and examine it very closely. Pick up a ball or a pencil, or a stuffed animal and really look closely at it. Closer than you’ve ever looked. How does the object feel? How does it smell? What kind of details or designs do you notice?
Another mindful cure for waiting is to check in with your body head to toe. Start at the top and ask yourself how your head feels. Then move down checking in with each body part as you go. Face, neck, shoulders, chest. Think about how each part of your body feels before moving to the next part. Work your way down until you reach your toes.
Another great way to pass time is to sing a song. You could sing out loud, or even sing inside your head if you’re waiting somewhere quiet like a classroom or a library. You could sing your favorite song from Like You, or make up a song of your own about waiting. Here, I’ll make up a waiting song now.
It’s hard to… wait
It’s hard to… wait
I think sure think that it would be so great
If I never ever had to… wait
While I wait I’ll spend my time
thinking of a rhyme
Finding out that I’m so patient
It’s hard to… wait
It’s hard to… wait
I sure think that it would be so great
If I never ever had to… wait
Hey that was kind of fun! Wait a second does that mean… waiting can be fun? Maybe! If you fill the waiting with something you enjoy, it can make a big difference.
So, I’ve given you a few ideas about things to do when you have to wait. Now I’m going to give you a chance to practice waiting. I’m going to do something that’s maybe never been done in the history of podcasts, though I can’t know for sure. I’m going to insert 30 seconds of silence. No music, no talking. And I want you to listen to all 30 seconds of the quiet. Don’t skip over it; don’t turn the podcast off. Choose something to do while you wait. Take deep breaths, sing a song, or just sit there counting the seconds. Whatever you choose to do to pass the time as you wait. And we’ll start… now.
[30 seconds of silence]
Now it’s time for affirmations. Affirmations are words you can say about yourself to remind yourself how wonderful you are. You can say them out loud or inside your head. I’ll say each affirmation twice. So you can listen the first time, then say it together with me the second time.
I am patient.
I am in control of my feelings.
I am thankful for this moment.
I am growing inside and outside.
I can take things one step at a time.
Sometimes things take time.
I can choose my attitude.
I am calm and relaxed.
Now let’s take a few slow, deep breaths as we wind down our time together. If any of those affirmations stood out to you, feel free to write them down, or just store them safely in your mind to say when you need it. If you have an affirmation that is special to you, I would love to hear it! Here’s an affirmation from one of our listeners now.
Reina: Hi. My name is Reina, and I am five years old. My favorite affirmation is “my positive thoughts create positive feelings.”
Noah: My positive thoughts create positive feelings. That’s a great affirmation Reina. Thanks for sharing!
If any other listeners want to send a recording of your favorite affirmation to play on the show, have a grownup check our website or show notes for more information.
I can’t wait to spend some time together again soon. Until next time, I like you, I’m proud of you, and I’m glad we are friends. Have a happy and peaceful day.
Like You is a production of Perpetual Motion. It is made possible by our subscribers on Apple Podcasts and Patreon. Become a supporter by tapping “subscribe” on our show page in Apple Podcasts, or by visiting Patreon.com/likeyoupodcast. You can also tell your friends about the show or leave a 5 star review wherever you listen to podcasts. Like You is written and hosted by me, Noah Glenn. I also composed and performed the Like You theme music and other music that appeared in the episode. Our podcast cover art was illustrated by Mia Saine. Our episode art is created by Lindsey Glenn. Grownups can find more information about Like You by visiting our website at likeyoupodcast.com. Thanks for listening.
