Mindful Moments Blog

Resilient-Informed Care Removes Stigma From Trauma

by Ashley Patek

When we label those with adverse experiences as “traumatized” we can create a stigma that there is something to fix, which shadows the wholeness of the individual. The resilience-informed approach is a strength-based framework that shifts the question of “What happened to you?” as seen in a trauma-informed approach to “What is right within you?” Here are 3 ways to mindfully become more resilient after trauma.

Why Kids Ignore "No" And What You Can Do About It

by Ashley Patek

If no, don’t, and stop are part of your daily parenting language, you are not alone. But if you find that these phrases are not effective in getting your child to listen, use these seven tools instead.

Teaching Your Child How To Be Mad

by Ashley Patek

It’s not about teaching our children not to be mad, sad, or frustrated. It’s about teaching them how to be mad, sad, and frustrated. Rather than teaching them to suppress or bottle their emotions, we can empower our children to move through them in healthy ways. Here's how.

Friendship: Using Improv Games To Create Peer Connection

by Guest Author

Social skills can be practiced, and the more we teach by actually doing, the more beneficial the approach will be when teaching social skills for friendships and peer engagement. This improv game is designed just for that!

Our Children May Be Self-Centered, But They Aren't Selfish

by Ashley Patek

Every time our child snatches a toy or melts down or forgets to say “thank you,” we worry our children will grow to be disrespectful, which motivates us to teach the lesson. But when we understand brain development, we can approach these situations in ways that build the skills without shame. Here are 3 ways.

3 Ways Parenting Can Heal Your Childhood Wounds

by Guest Author

When our own childhood contained stress and trauma, the developmentally-appropriate behaviors of our children can be a big trigger. Here are 3 ways to heal your childhood wounds through parenting.

The Most Effective Parenting Tool Is You

by Ashley Patek

Wondering why your child went from zero to berserk in 10 seconds flat? This parenting gem is your lifeline.

Time-Ins Decrease Meltdowns

by Ashley Patek

How can Time-Ins decrease meltdowns in our home?

Growing Beautiful Orchids - Helping Sensitive Children Thrive

by Rebecca Eanes

If you’ve been graced with an orchid child, here are three tips for helping them grow into their magnificence.

Helping Your Child With The Tough Transition Back To School

by Ashley Patek

Children bring so many different emotions to the first week of school: excitement and anticipation, fear and wonder. The change may lead to increased meltdowns and/or regressions. Make the transition less overwhelming with these 5 tools.

The Way You Perceive Your Child Affects How You Respond To Them

by Rebecca Eanes

Is your child's challenging behavior bad behavior or is it a distress call? Your perspective will decide. Perspective is the lens through which you view the world. It determines how you perceive your children. By changing how we see our children, we change how we respond to them.

Ten Ways To Help Your Child Make Friends

by Ashley Patek

Not only is having friends fun, but it also has a positive developmental influence on social-emotional skills. While parents can’t make friends for their children, decades of research suggest that parents play a big role in teaching children the skills required to make friends. Here are 10 ways.

Nurturing A Natural Love For Learning

by Ashley Patek

How do you nurture curious risk-takers who love to learn? It starts here.

The Parenting Fairy Godmother Isn't Coming - Here's Why You Don't Need Her

by Ashley Patek

Wouldn’t it be amazing if there were a Parenting Fairy Godmother that came to rescue us during tricky parenting moments? Unfortunately, there's not, but you don't need her. You have you. Here are some playful tools to help you boost emotional intelligence in your home.

Teaching (Not Training) Toddlers To Toilet

by Ashley Patek

Helping children transition from diapers to using the toilet is a big milestone, one often surrounded by stress. Here are tools to guide our tots in toileting without the power struggle.

Raising Teens: They're Still Under Construction

by Rebecca Eanes

“Just wait until the teen years,” they’d say. Now I am here, and I get what they were referring to. Teens' fluctuating moods can be hard to deal with, but it's not our fault. Blame it on the brain.

Why Do My Kids Trigger Me?

by Ashley Patek

What is a trigger, why do we have them and why are we so dang triggered by our kids?!

Getting Your Child To Listen Without Commands And Demands

by Ashley Patek

Want your child to listen without having to nag, command or demand? Follow these 5 tips.

Sometimes It's Hard, And That Isn't A Failure

by Guest Author

We cannot shield our children from stress, heartache, and pain, especially as they grow older. And we can't protect them from mental illness. But we can provide them attachment and love them through it.

My Child Morphed! What To Do When Big Emotions And Behaviors Take Over.

by Ashley Patek

Is it just me or does something happen to our children when they turn three, four and five? Like all of the sudden emotions are more potent and behaviors are more exasperating. Here's why, plus 4 tips to help your child's nervous system regulate amidst all of these changes.