Mindful Moments Blog

Breaking The Cycle Of Fear-Based Parenting

Mindful Moments Blog

Breaking The Cycles Of Fear-Based Parenting

by Ashley Patek on Apr 11 2022
Here are 5 ways to use connection-based parenting (Over fear-based), and break the cycle of emotional wounding.
No bad kid

Mindful Moments Blog

There Is No Such Thing As A Bad Child

by Guest Author on Apr 11 2022
As a mother and trauma therapist, I can sniff out social trauma from a mile away.
3 Bunny Brain Breaks To Increase Emotional Regulation And Academic Learning

Mindful Moments Blog

3 Bunny Brain Breaks To Increase Emotional Regulation And Academic Learning

by Ashley Patek on Apr 04 2022
Multi-sensory movements specific to eye-teaming, hand-eye coordination, and whole-body awareness changes the architecture of the brain, bolstering social-emotional and academic learning. Here are 3 Bunny Brain Breaks to do with your kiddos this spring (Free Printable!). 
Toddlers And Meltdowns And Brain Development, Oh My!

Mindful Moments Blog

Meltdowns Develop Your Child's Brain When Met With Connection; Punishment Doesn't Work

by Ashley Patek on Apr 04 2022
Toddlers are one of the most authentic creatures on the planet, and also, arguably, the most misunderstood. On the surface, we see meltdowns, defiance, and limit testing. But there’s so much more than what meets the eye.
If It All Feels Heavy Today, Read This

Mindful Moments Blog

If It All Feels Heavy Today, Read This

by Rebecca Eanes on Apr 04 2022
There are millions of beautiful moments in parenting and also, sometimes, it feels hard. If you’re finding yourself in a heavy season today, or if you are having trouble recognizing yourself, here are 5 pieces of encouragement. 
Your Child's Misbehavior Is A Distress Call. How You Answer Matters.

Mindful Moments Blog

Your Child's Misbehavior Is A Distress Call. How You Answer Matters.

by Rebecca Eanes on Mar 28 2022
Misbehavior is really a way of saying “I need help” when the words will not come. We wouldn’t answer “I need help” with “you’re in big trouble.” We’d say, “I can help. Here I am.” Answer the distress call. This is where true change begins. 
Stop Apologizing For Your Child's Emotions

Mindful Moments Blog

Your Child’s Unpleasant Emotions Don’t Need An Apology

by Ashley Patek on Mar 28 2022
We rarely apologize when our children feel happy or grateful or proud yet we often find ourselves apologizing for unpleasant emotions. "I'm sorry you feel mad ... sad ... disappointed." How does this impact our children and what can we do instead?
When Your Child Says "I Hate You!"

Mindful Moments Blog

When Your Child Says "I Hate You!"

by Guest Author on Mar 28 2022
When your child says “I hate you!” you might find yourself getting defensive or you may feel the urge to assert control over the situation. The key to getting to the root of the challenge is to look beyond the hurtful words to figure out what’s going on for them emotionally. What are they really saying?
Growing Beautiful Orchids - Helping Sensitive Children Thrive

Mindful Moments Blog

Growing Beautiful Orchids - Helping Sensitive Children Thrive

by Rebecca Eanes on Mar 21 2022
If you’ve been graced with an orchid child, here are three tips for helping them grow into their magnificence. 
Sometimes Our Kids Just Want Us To Listen: 3 Tools For Connected Parenting

Mindful Moments Blog

Sometimes Our Kids Just Want Us To Listen: 3 Tools For Connected Parenting

by Ashley Patek on Mar 21 2022
These tools are invitations for you to show up to your child’s wants and needs with curiosity instead of immediately throwing down the hammer with a rebuttal. Because maybe they do want that thing they are mentioning, or maybe they are just sharing with you their heart, and their only real ask is that you listen.
4 Powerful Ways To Ensure Your Kids Don’t Bear the Weight of Your Emotions

Mindful Moments Blog

4 Powerful Ways To Ensure Your Kids Don’t Bear the Weight of Your Emotions

by Rebecca Eanes on Mar 21 2022
When children feel responsible for taking care of their parents emotionally, it can cause a range of mental and emotional issues. Maybe this was a familiar story in your own childhood. Here are 4 ways we can break the cycle. 
Stop Saying, "He Hurts You Because He Likes You"

Mindful Moments Blog

Stop Saying, "He's Mean To You Because He Likes You"

by Ashley Patek on Mar 21 2022
"He's mean to you because he likes you" is a harmful message that perpetuates the cycle of bullying and programs our children to accept abuse. Here are 4 things our kids need to know about boundaries and consent.
5 False Toddler Myths

Mindful Moments Blog

5 False Toddler Myths

by Rebecca Eanes on Mar 21 2022
Toddlerhood is a precious time. We do our kids and ourselves a great injustice by assigning negative intent to their developmentally normal behaviors. Instead of going to war, let’s spend these quickly-passing years seeking to understand our little ones and rewrite the narrative on common myths.
10 Magical Outcomes to Dropping Your Expectations

Mindful Moments Blog

10 Magical Outcomes to Dropping Your Expectations

by Guest Author on Mar 20 2022
We subconsciously believe that if our children are misbehaving, then we did something wrong and we take action from a place of guilt. Here's how to flip your perspective and move from connection.
Can You Spoil A Baby?

Mindful Moments Blog

You Can't Spoil A Baby With Your Love

by Ashley Patek on Mar 14 2022
Keep holding them. Keep tending to their needs. Keep doing what feels right. It is impossible for you to spoil them with love. 
92-Year-Old Shares Valuable Parenting Lesson

Mindful Moments Blog

92-Year-Old Shares Valuable Parenting Lesson

by Ashley Patek on Mar 14 2022
This 92-year-old woman shared with me this wisdom, and it changed the way I loved myself, and it eventually became a guide for how my children would learn to love themselves, too. 
Your Child's Emotions Need Support, Not Solutions

Mindful Moments Blog

Your Child's Emotions Need Support, Not Solutions

by Ashley Patek on Mar 14 2022
When we attempt to fix our children’s emotions and problems, we move out of connection and into control. The focus shifts from them to us. Instead, we can sit with them in the hard stuff, offering support, not solutions. Here's how. 
To My Kids: I Messed Up Today, And I'm Sorry

Mindful Moments Blog

To My Kids: I Messed Up Today, And I'm Sorry

by Ashley Patek on Mar 07 2022
I messed up today in ways big and small. I am an imperfect mom. I used to shame myself for it, but not anymore. And here is what I say to my children.
Is It Okay For Me To Cry In Front Of My Child?

Mindful Moments Blog

Is It Okay For Me To Cry In Front Of My Child?

by Guest Author on Mar 06 2022
How do we straddle the line of expressing emotion in front of our children while letting them know that they are not responsible for our feelings? The process can be vulnerable and uncomfortable, but this is often how it feels when we commit to breaking cycles of generational wounding.
I’ve Never Grounded My Teenager - Here’s Why

Mindful Moments Blog

I’ve Never Grounded My Teenager - Here’s Why

by Rebecca Eanes on Feb 28 2022
In our culture, we are accustomed to training children through pain. We are fooled into thinking it’s good because it works, but it only works for a short time, and the reason it works is heartbreaking. Here's what to do instead of punishment.