Helping My Daughter Breathe Through Fear: A Lesson in Calm and Confidence

Tonight, my 7-year-old daughter lost a tooth—but not without a moment of fear. It was barely hanging on, but she needed a little help to get it out. The moment she realized what was about to happen, she became anxious, her breathing turned shallow and fast, and the tears started to flow.

Instead of rushing the process, I brought her to the bathroom and had her focus on her breath. At first, she could only breathe through her mouth, but with patience, she slowly transitioned to inhaling through her nose and exhaling through her mouth. With each breath, her shoulders relaxed, the tension eased, and the tears began to fade.

When I asked if she was ready, she nodded—fully in control. I pulled the tooth, and it came out instantly. No more fear, no more tears—just relief.

She beamed with pride, realizing she had just done something she had convinced herself she couldn't do. Even though this was her sixth lost tooth, this time felt different. She was on cloud nine the rest of the night, celebrating her courage and eagerly awaiting the tooth fairy's visit.

This moment was a beautiful reminder of the power of breath. It helped her move from fear to confidence, from anxiety to empowerment.

But it also reinforced something just as important—when we understand our own breath, we start to recognize when others need help with theirs. Learning to breathe isn’t just a personal tool; it gives us the ability to see when someone else is struggling and be in a position to guide them back to calm. Whether we’re comforting a child, supporting a friend, or leading a team through challenges, something as simple as slowing down and focusing on the breath can change everything.

Whether we’re 7 or 70, we all have that ability within us. Sometimes, we just need to pause, breathe, and remind ourselves—and each other—we’ve got this.

— C.W.