Mindful Moments Blog

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Social Emotional Learning in the Classroom

Social Emotional Learning in the Classroom: Simple Tools for the New School Year

by Suzanne Tucker
Social emotional learning starts in everyday classroom moments. Explore simple SEL strategies teachers can use to build emotional literacy, support regulation, strengthen relationships, and create a classroom where children feel safe, understood, and ready to learn.
Woman kneeling to comfort a young boy, with illustrated hands exchanging a gray cloud for a red heart in the background

Positive vs. Negative Reinforcement: A Guide for Parents

by Alex Petrou
Learn how positive vs. negative reinforcement influence your parenting style and the ways positive reinforcers can support your child’s development.
Mother comforting her highly sensitive teenage son during an emotional moment, illustrating parental support, empathy, and teen mental health.

Helping Your Highly Sensitive Child Gain Confidence

by Rebecca Eanes
When our children are highly sensitive, rejection and criticism hurt more deeply. They get embarrassed easily and have strong emotional reactions, which can make them the target for bullying. Here are 5 tools to boost your child's confidence. 
Woman looking at an old childhood photo of herself, surrounded by illustrated hearts and clouds

Healing From A Childhood You Don't Remember

by Ashley Patek
While we may not remember our childhood with our mind and verbal words, our body keeps the score and stores the information it receives from our formative years, namely which parts of us to grow and which to shrink. These downloads show up as patterns in adulthood and in our parenting. Read more. 
Woman with eyes closed and hand on her chest, staying calm, with a flower graphic beside her

9 Mantras I Use When Low On Patience With My Kids

by Ashley Patek
Mantras can change the wiring of our brain and create a new lens to see ourselves, our kids, and the world at large. Here are 9 parenting mantras I use when low on patience with my kids.
of two young girls/ siblings fighting, one pulling hair

End Sibling Rivalry And Bring Peace Into Your Home

by Ashley Patek
Siblings are natural competitors for attachment, bidding for our love and attention. Here's 3 Parenting Do's and Don'ts when it comes to sibling relationships. 
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A Parent's Guide: Meditate With Toddlers And Teens To Improve

A Parent's Guide: Meditate With Toddlers And Teens To Improve Emotional Intelligence And Resilience

by Ashley Patek
Even though today’s kids exhibit elevated levels of restlessness, stress, and anxiety, only 1.6% of children in the U.S. meditate. Here are the benefits of meditation on the developing brain and how parents can practice meditation with kids at every age. 
6 Ways To Deal With A Public Tantrum (Or Prevent Them Altogether)

6 Ways To Deal With A Public Tantrum (Or Prevent Them Altogether)

by Ashley Patek
A public tantrum doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker, but rather a learning moment in the broad scope of a day together. We can let children know with our words and actions that, wherever we are, emotions are safe to feel. Sometimes we can decrease the likelihood of a meltdown. Here are six helpful factors to consider:
Manage Your Emotions, And Your Child's Too: Interview With Suzanne Tucker

Manage Your Emotions, And Your Child's Too: Interview With Suzanne Tucker

by Ashley Patek
You can actually be yelling at your child and be mindful. If you notice that you're yelling... pause, and celebrate. You say to yourself, 'I'm yelling, and I noticed I'm yelling' and then take a deep breath. Now you have some power. to do something different, but not if you're busy beating yourself up.
Re-Parenting Yourself As You Parent Your Child

Re-Parenting Yourself As You Parent Your Child

by Guest Author
Remember, there is a little one wanting to be parented inside of you, too.  
When Your Child Fears The Coronavirus: 8 Tips for Taming Anxiety

When Your Child Fears The Coronavirus: 8 Tips for Taming Anxiety

by Ashley Patek
As a parent, what do you do when your child has fears that feel out of their control - things like viral outbreaks and global warming? Learn 8 tips for taming fears and anxieties through connection.
What's Wrong With My Clingy Toddler?

What's Wrong With My Clingy Toddler?

by Ashley Patek
Why is my child clingy, emotional and crying and what can I do about it? Here are 7 tools for parents with clingy toddlers.
5 Parenting Hacks For Getting Through A Day With Kids

5 Parenting Hacks For Getting Through A Day With Kids

by Ashley Patek
Looking to make it through the day without yelling, power struggles or the dreaded parenting guilt? Stop what you're doing and check out these 5 simple (and effective) parenting hacks!
Why Does My Child Meltdown After School & What Can I Do?

Why Does My Child Meltdown After School & What Can I Do?

by Ashley Patek
So often parents report, "My kids are so put together at school and then they get home and are a total mess." Why does this happen and what can parents do to help their children regulate? (We offer 8 ideas)
Resilient-Informed Care Removes Stigma From Trauma

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. 
Does Self-Care Feel Like A Chore?

Does Self-Care Feel Like A Chore?

by Ashley Patek
Empowerment self-care is when we can be with the current moment with joy and ease, noticing how we feel and asking ourselves, “What is it that I want and need, and how do I make that happen?” Here's how to listen to your sensory body and 5 simple self-care breaks for you and your child.
Why Kids Ignore "No" And What You Can Do About It

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

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. 
5 Calming Strategies To Do With Your Kids

5 Calming Strategies To Do With Your Kids

by Ashley Patek
We’ve all been there before, face to face with our child, locking horns, emotions escalating (both yours and theirs). What do you do? Here are 5 calming strategies to do with your child to bridge the gap from being at odds to being on the same team.
Connect, Regulate, and Teach Through Play

Connect, Regulate, and Teach Through Play

by Rebecca Eanes
Playfulness isn’t only a tool to keep in your parenting toolbox, it’s a mindset. Here are some tips and tools on how to use play to build connection, bolster emotional regulation, and enhance learning. 
Friendship: Using Improv Games To Create Peer Connection

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!  
3 Ways Parenting Can Heal Your Childhood Wounds

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. 
Preschooler Teaches Her Younger Sister About Emotions While Learning To Manage Her Own

Preschooler Teaches Her Younger Sister About Emotions While Learning To Manage Her Own

by Ashley Patek
The last thing Kelly wanted was another gimmick for a tired, worn-out parent. She was overwhelmed and out of ideas on how to manage her daughters' meltdowns. But then something amazing happened ... her oldest daughter taught her youngest daughter how to use a feelings chart. 
Feeling Emotions As An Adult When Taught Not To As A Child

Feeling Emotions As An Adult When Taught Not To As A Child

by Ashley Patek
When we learn to suppress unpleasant emotions as a child, we become adults whose conditioned self masquerades as our authentic self. This dampens our human experience (and affects our mental health and parenting). Here's how to break the cycle. 
A calm mother kneels eye-level with a frustrated child, holding their hands to demonstrate co-regulation and emotional connection

What Do I Do When My Child Won't Stop Hitting?!

by Ashley Patek
Why does my child hit and what can I do to get him to stop?
Joe's Workers Dance & Sing To Calm Crying Toddler

Video Of Trader Joe's Employees Singing And Dancing To Stop Toddler Tantrum Goes Viral

by Ashley Patek
When this toddler had a meltdown at checkout, these Winter Park, Florida Trader Joe's employees jumped into action with an impromptu dance party. The video goes viral.