The Power of a Cuddle with Mifflin Lowe

In today’s episode of the “Helping Families Be Happy” podcast, host Dr. Carla Marie Manly, a practicing Clinical Psychologist, Wellness Advocate, and Author based in Sonoma County, California talks with guest Mifflin Lowe (Writer and Musician) about his book – ‘The Cuddle Book’, the power of Cuddling. He says it's about cuddling and he’d like to call this year -the year of the cuddle.

Episode Highlights

• 01:40 – ‘The Cuddle Book’ is good for kids up to the age of five, says Mifflin.
• 04:00 – Mifflin tells about a poem that he has written to the publisher - Familius.
• 06:00 – Dr. Carla says that the power of a hug or a cuddle is worth a million words.
• 08:10 – Dr. Carla tells Mifflin, “You are the musician, you are the singer, and you are the author so there's nothing to compare with you.”
• 11:30 – It’s the truth that for all of us no matter our age, when life feels tough and rough, the cuddles are truly magical. It feels so soothing and comforting to the body, mind, and spirit right before kids go to sleep.
• 13:50 – Mifflin talks about how this book brings families together making them happier.
• 16:10 - As a writer, there's nothing better than having kids react to your work and one of the greatest things that I've always enjoyed about being a writer and a musician for children is seeing them draw pictures.
• 19:05 – Dr. Carla thinks that the books like ‘The Cuddle Book’ can help families be more joyful, more connected, happier, and more positive in the long run.
• 21:30 - Mifflin mentions that if you ever want to take a picture of you and your children cuddling then send it to his email and they will share it with the rest of the world.

Three Key Points

1. ‘The Cuddle Book’ brings up these pieces in this world today where so many people are feeling alone and isolated, and COVID has kept us a little bit more in hibernation mode. It is important to remember that our need for contact or cuddles is such a primitive instinct that makes us feel better emotionally, mentally, and physically. 
2. The hug, feel and warmth relax kids, it makes them feel happy and composed. Bedtime books are a big deal, it soothes and relaxes kids and helps them go to sleep. They go to sleep in the arms of love. It just sets the stage for then waking up feeling absolutely rest rested at peace and excited for the next day. 
3. Mifflin’s book can inspire parents to help their children interact with the book. Not only can they listen to or read it, but also they can interact with it. By then making their poems or their drawings. The power of a story like this is to inspire creativity and healthy interactions.

Tweetable Quotes

• “That was like a grand slam for me because that's the most fulfilling thing an author can hope for.” - Mifflin Lowe 
• “I want to read one little piece of your book, it's just it's so yummy.” - Dr. Carla Marie Manly
• “I'm trying to get the kid to like, get into what's good about cuddling and what they feel when they do.” - Mifflin Lowe 
• “I would love it if you would share as much of it as you'd like to.” - Dr. Carla Marie Manly
• “I think it's a great thing to establish the habit of reading a book right away with the child as they understand the importance of togetherness, and embrace it.” - Mifflin Lowe 

Resources Mentioned

• Helping Families be Happy Podcast  Apple
• Dr. Carla Marie Manly  Website  LinkedIn  Twitter  Instagram
• Mifflin Lowe Website Email
• Podcast Editing