Children and High People

Shared principles for holding space to children and high people alike.

Over the years I held space for thousands of high people and children alike. I find that:

1. Children and high people are not very different.

2. Holding space for children and high people is not very different.

I (playfully) share below some space holding principles I find to work for both children and high people, in no particular order:

• Keep them alive

• Remind them to drink

• The highest form of presence is PLAY

• It is also the highest form of research

• PLAY. 🎲

• Stuck energy is just that, stuck. Help them move it.

• Let them process their own emotions

• Teach them to regulate their own nervous system.

• You are not more evolved, you just got here sooner.

• Discomfort is on the menu. Teach them to breathe through it. 🫁

• If you are uncomfortable around purges of any kind, this gig may not be for you.

• The chance of stains is not zero

• Crying may be 80% of any day 😭

• Laughing may be 80% of any day 😂

• Don’t intervene unless necessary

• Let them be loud

• Let them be messy

• They may need help making it to the bathroom

• Music is a guide 🎶

• Changes of outfit are a thing 👘🧣

• Teach them to reign their own attention

• Art supplies may come in handy 🎨🖌️

• Musical instruments may come in handy 🪕🎻

• Their questions are theirs to answer

• You are here to reflect 🪞

• Don’t f$#% them

• Seriously, don’t.

• No one cares for preaching

• Look them in the eye 👁️ and speak truth at a level they can receive it

• Your presence is your greatest offering

• At times, it may be the only one

• There may be role playing

• Water is your friend🚰

• It is not about you

• Temperature management is a part of the job

• Show, don’t tell

• Metaphors allow them to create their own meaning

• Teaching them how to fish 🎣 > Handing them fish 🐟

• Animals may stop by. Welcome them. 🦉

• Textures, smells, shapes and other minutiae may carry meaning beyond your capacity to comprehend. ☁️

• You are not their savior

• They don’t need saving

• Foster sovereignty.

• Your every word can have a lifelong impact. Handle yourself accordingly.

• Agency is the name of the game

• Allow time to do nothing ⏳

• Stay out of their way

• Allow them to do the same for themselves

• Return the same number of avatars you have received

• Release them to society better than you have received them

Share with a person who holds space for children and / or high people.