At Lirum Larum Leg, we are truly dedicated to supporting parents, making it easy and manageable for you to create inspiring spaces where play becomes the beating heart of coziness, laughter, meaningful presence, and deep engagement.
That's why we're delighted, together with the experts Fie Hørby and Mie Kaae from Blackbird Institute, to bring you weekly tips and inspiration for life with children.
Below, you'll find their second tip on how to easily create those much-needed breathing spaces, even in a busy everyday routine.
Foster Connection and Joy
"At Blackbird Institute, we work with three fundamental neural 'templates' that are essential for helping our children develop into wide boulevards in the brain:
- Inner calm
- Connection
- Joy
Boulevards also refer to the active neural circuits we want to help engrain as experiences and lasting structures in our children's minds. In doing so, we support them in connecting with themselves and others in a joyful and authentic way.
For both grown-ups and children, these three templates represent key skills and qualities to integrate into everyday life, as they greatly enhance our overall well-being. Tip #2 highlights how, as a family, you can nurture connection and joy by embracing these moments more often through dance and movement. Dancing just 2-3 times a week is enough to feel a real difference. The body often serves as the shortest path to connection and empathy;
"Tell me something, and I’ll forget it.
Show me something, and I might remember it.
Give me an experience, and I will never forget it."
- Søren Kierkegaard
Invite Your Energy to Dance
When your children are bursting with energy, seize the moment and join them, instead of trying to settle things down or sending them outside to burn it off. Use that energy to strengthen your bonds and invite more joy into your family's day.
Tip #2: Dance together as often and as much as you feel like – let it become a natural part of your week!
Let go of worries about choreography or how you look. Most children love to dance and will spring into action as soon as music starts. Turn up the volume and allow the joy of dancing to flow throughout your home. Anything counts. Maybe your kids are pros at singing games, maybe you once breakdanced, or perhaps you’ve never really considered yourself a dancer—it doesn’t matter! The point is simply to move, laugh, and enjoy dancing together for as long as you can.
Dancing has a remarkable impact on both body and mind. Beyond being fun and boosting cardiovascular health, studies show that our mirror neurons light up when we see others dance. This means the happiness and energy your children display while dancing naturally transfers to you—and vice versa. Through movement, feelings of joy and empathy become contagious. So, dance together as often as you can — and as much as you wish!
“My children have so much energy, and we’re early risers—even on weekends. By 9:00 a.m., we’ve usually already jumped and danced to a few songs, and the little ones have pulled out the dress-up clothes. The same routine happens again at around 3:00 p.m., and sometimes after dinner too. We love to dance, even though none of us grown-ups would ever think of ‘dancing’ like that at a party! But it always brings laughter and a sense of togetherness to our family. When it's time to clear the table in the evening and no one’s really motivated, turning up the music makes the task so much easier, and everyone joins in. Plus, we often enjoy a whole hour of peace and quiet afterwards.” – Mette, mother of four
Need inspiration? Here are a few upbeat tracks from our kids’ playlists:
- “Pretty Girl” Maggie Lindemann
- “Conga” Gloria Estefan, Miami Sound Machine
- “Can’t Stop the Feeling” Justin Timberlake
- “The Golden Age” The Asteroids Galaxy Tour
- “Op med ho'det” Natasja
Blackbird Institute is a family therapy practice offering training in relational competence, family counseling, and family therapy. The institute was founded by Fie Hørby and Mie Kaae.
Fie Hørby is a psycho- and family therapist, and mother to Rumle (16), Liv (11), and Isak (0). She is the author of bestsellers including “Drop Opdragelsen!” and “Om teenagere – for forældre.”
Mie Kaae holds a degree in psychology and communication, is the author of "Hvad vil du virkelig?" and trained in dance and body therapy. Mie is also a mother of three – Marvin (12), Linus (10), and Havanna (2).
Read more about Blackbird Institute here
