When the alarm rang, her first conscious thought was one of dread.  

She lay still, not because of danger, but because she knew the feeling.  Not a fear of the day. Not a fear of the dark.  Just something.  

She moved gently, noticing the silence. No birds. No wind. No traffic.  The chair sat under the doorknob again in the hallway, facing the wrong way. 

 She didn’t touch it.  Instead, she opened her notebook.  Wrote down the time. The angle of light. Her pulse.  Then underlined: 

“Today I won’t panic. I will observe.” And just like that, the dread loosened.

Observing Feelings & Finding Calm

 This story gently introduces children to mindfulness—paying attention to the present moment to reduce worry.  

Discussion Starters for Parents and Kids  

• How did writing things down help the character feel calmer?  What do you notice when you sit quietly for a minute?  
• Can you describe a time when observing instead of reacting helped you feel better?  
• How can we practice mindfulness at home—maybe with breathing or noting sounds?  

Take-Home Idea 

Start a “Morning Noticing” routine: spend one minute each morning quietly observing sounds, light, or feelings. Share what you notice together.