A Parent's Perspective: The Moonbuddy for Children's Emotional Regulation

A mother of two, with a demanding household, often finds solace and stability through breathwork. Despite her personal success with techniques like box-breathing, she encountered challenges in instilling similar practices in her children, especially her son who experiences dysregulation due to ADHD. This article delves into her initial skepticism and subsequent positive experience with the Moonbuddy, a device designed to assist children with emotional regulation through guided breathing.

The author, a mother juggling the responsibilities of a firefighter husband and two children, frequently employs breathwork to navigate the daily chaos of solo parenting. She recounts using box-breathing during hectic school mornings, demanding homework sessions, and the rush of dinner preparation. However, transferring this valuable skill to her children proved difficult. Her son, diagnosed with ADHD, often struggles with maintaining a regulated emotional state, particularly after school, during homework, or when transitioning from screen time. In these moments of frustration, he naturally doesn't gravitate towards breathing exercises.

Her initial reaction to the Moonbuddy, a screen-free, handheld breathing aid for children priced at $99, was one of doubt. She questioned the value of a relatively expensive gadget when simple, free methods like five-finger breathing existed. Despite her reservations, she decided to introduce the device to her son, allowing him to form his own opinion on its effectiveness. This decision marked the beginning of an insightful journey into how a technological aid could complement traditional breathing techniques.

Upon activation, the Moonbuddy, encased in an endearing animal sleeve (in their case, Bibi the Bird, affectionately renamed Lenny by her son), gently expands and contracts. This mimics a calm breathing rhythm, encouraging children to synchronize their own breathing with the device. The Moonbuddy offers three distinct breathing patterns, catering to different age groups and preferences, with younger children typically favoring faster rates and older children preferring longer, more deliberate inhales and exhales. This customizable feature allows children to discover a cadence that feels most natural and effective for them.

The device's intuitive, single-button operation simplifies its use, making it easily accessible for children. This button controls both the power and the selection of breathing patterns. After a four-minute breathing cycle, the Moonbuddy automatically powers off, a thoughtful design choice that conserves battery life, particularly if a child drifts off to sleep while using it. This ease of use encourages independent engagement, empowering children to utilize the device whenever they feel the need for self-regulation. Its compact size also makes it a convenient sensory companion for travel, offering comfort in potentially overwhelming environments like long car rides or busy airports.

The Moonbuddy is not presented as a definitive cure for emotional dysregulation but rather as an accessible tool that simplifies the practice of proven stress-reducing breathing techniques for children. While it has become a valuable part of her son's self-regulation toolkit, the author acknowledges that there are times when he seeks other forms of relief, such as focused physical activity. The key insight is that the device's effectiveness lies in its ability to engage children enough for them to experience its calming effects, fostering a voluntary adoption of breathing practices. This personal choice in seeking comfort and regulation is crucial for sustained benefit, making the Moonbuddy a worthwhile investment for this family.