As a parent, it can be heart-breaking to see your child struggle with something they need to do, especially when it’s as important as respiratory physiotherapy.  Whether your child is recovering from illness, living with a chronic condition, or simply working on strengthening their lungs, you’re not alone in feeling unsure of how to help them stay engaged without turning it into a daily battle.

The good news?  Children are wired for connection, and there are beautiful, respectful ways to support their cooperation - even when the task is tough.

In this post, we’re sharing encouraging phrases and practical tips rooted in child psychology to help transform respiratory therapy from a chore into a moment of connection and progress.

💬 What to Say When Your Child Resists Physiotherapy

Children often communicate reluctance through behaviours that look like defiance or distraction.  But underneath, they may feel overwhelmed, uncomfortable, or unsure. How we respond can make all the difference.

Here are some positive phrases to gently guide your child through their therapy:

🧠 Acknowledge How They Feel

Children are more likely to engage when they feel heard and understood.

• “I see you’re feeling a bit tired, that’s okay, you've had a big day.”

• “You don’t feel like doing this right now, and I get it.  I’m here with you.”

• “It’s okay to feel grumpy about this.  Let’s take it one blow at a time.”

🎮 Turn Therapy Into Play

Therapy doesn’t have to be serious to be effective!  Use playful language to engage your child:

• “Let’s pretend you’re a dragon - how far can you blow your fiery breath?”

• “Let's pretend we are about to out all the candles on your Granny's birthday cake!”

• “Let’s see how big a bubble you can make with your breath!”

🎯 Celebrate Their Effort

Praising what they do rather than focusing on the result fosters confidence.

• “You worked so hard to do those breaths.  That was amazing.”

• “I noticed how you didn’t give up, even when it felt hard. That’s brave.”

• “You’re getting stronger every day.”

🗣️ Give Choices to Empower Them

Giving children a sense of control helps reduce resistance.

• “Would you like to do physio at the kitchen table or in the sitting-room?”

• “Would you like to start with blowing bubbles or jumping on the trampoline today?”

• "Would you like to listen to music while we do physio today?"

💡 Tips to Create a Supportive Physio at Home

Sometimes it’s not what we say, but how we set the stage. Here are parenting strategies that support your child emotionally while getting the therapy done:

1.

Connection Before Cooperation

Spend a few moments just being with your child - a cuddle, a giggle, or even a quiet moment together.  When children feel emotionally safe and connected, they’re far more open to participating.

“I love being with you. Are you ready to do this together?”

2.

Use Gentle Transitions

Avoid sudden demands. Give them a heads-up:

“In 5 minutes, we’ll do our breathing game. Do you want to pick the music?”

3.

Make It Routine

When physio is a predictable part of their day (like brushing teeth), it becomes less of a debate.  Use visual schedules or timers to show them what’s next.

4.

Stay Calm and Patient

Even when your child resists, your calm presence teaches them how to manage big feelings.  Take deep breaths together and remind them (and yourself!) that progress is more important than perfection.

5.

End on a Positive Note

Celebrate even the tiniest victories with joy and connection:

“You did it! Let’s do a happy dance!”

“I’m so proud of how you kept going.”

❤️ A Final Word

Helping your child through something as demanding as respiratory physiotherapy is no small feat.  It takes patience, creativity, and a whole lot of love.  But with the right mindset and tools, these moments can become not only manageable, but meaningful.

You’re not just helping your child breathe easier.  You’re teaching them resilience, self-compassion, and them that they’re never alone in the hard stuff.

You’ve got this!

If this resonates with you, please share this post to help other parents feel less alone in their journey.  Follow for more support, tips, and encouragement on managing respiratory physiotherapy with your child. 💙 Bubble FLO®