Feeling unfocused? A million thoughts running through your mind?
Did someone at work rub you the wrong way?
Or did your wife leave kitchen cupboards ajar despite you repeatedly asking her to close them?
Never fear!
There’s an easy way to clear your mind and emotions and maybe even find some inner peace while still being a good parent and not leaving your child for some me time:
Take your baby and clip their nails. That’s it! And that is everything.
Why does this work?
- Cutting infant nails requires a level of physical precision and finesse that we rarely get to exercise on a daily basis. Like threading a needle. Except it's your baby.
- Cutting baby nails requires maximum concentration. All distractions are pushed out of mind. No more stress. No more drama. Your mind can only handle one epic adventure at a time.
- Cutting infant nails is living on the edge! And danger forces focus and being present. Baby nails are tiny and there’s a thin line between cutting nail and potentially cutting finger. Add in the element of flailing baby arms and the level of difficulty ratchets of considerably. Kind of like a videogame, but this one you don’t want to lose.
- By cutting your baby’s nails you are doing good for your baby AND yourself. It’s all about shaving and smoothing your little one’s nails so they do not become little knives that stab you and them when their fascination to grab, prod and poke everything takes over.
- Zone in to the art of clipping and it may be possible to achieve the exalted flow state while also grooming your little one. It's kind of like walking meditation. Except with an infant who's focused on eating the colorful yellow nail clipper.
- Bonus: You don’t even need a garbage can for the nail clippings! The clippings are so small, they basically disappear into thin air. No cleanup required.
So the next time you feel the need to center yourself, or you notice your child’s nails are creating a piercing pain while she lovingly digs in to your cheek making you wonder if she’s broken skin, grab a pair of nail clippers and get going.
Perhaps a parent's path to enlightenment?