Mindful Moments Blog

Browse by Theme

Loading articles…

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.

No articles found for this theme.

Am I The Only Mom Who Does This?

by Ashley Patek

As parents, we can feel alone, isolated, and buy into many of the parenting myths that lay on the guilt or leave us feeling less than enough.

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.

Ask Andrew: Respecting Sibling Differences

by Guest Author

Andrew answers today's question: Our oldest son is on the spectrum and our youngest is a fairly sensitive child. Often we find the oldest plays in such a way that is overwhelming for the younger one. How can we make the younger one feel safe while allowing the oldest to play in ways that are more energetic?

15 Ways To Make This Mother’s Day A Day To Remember

by Ashley Patek

With families staying home due to social distancing, we created a list of 15 unique ways to bring connection to this year's Mother's Day.

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.

60 Ideas For Summer "Staying Home" Family Fun

by Ashley Patek

As the school year comes to a close, many are wondering what summer will look like. Here are 60 activities you'll want to add to your family's bucket list.

Am I Raising A Pathological Liar?

by Ashley Patek

Worried you are raising a pathological liar? You are not alone. Not only is some degree of lying normal for children, but it is a healthy sign of their developing brain. Read more.

Mom and teen daughter laughing together on a couch with a heart icon above them

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

by Rebecca Eanes

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.

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.

happy family (black and white) decorating a large, lit Christmas tree

Santa and The Elf On The Shelf Are Magical Until Used For Behavior Modification

by Ashley Patek

Our words matter, and when we sing songs and play along with the notion that “you better be good... you better not cry. I’m telling you why” — aka you won’t get any presents — we are sending some pretty damaging messages to young children.

Viral Video: Dad And Son Dress Up As Frozen's Elsa For Living Room Dance Party

by Ashley Patek

When seeing how much his 4-year-old son, Dexter, loved "Frozen," Ørjan Burøe, a Norwegian comedian, purchased two Elsa costumes from Ebay, and the pair danced around the living room to "Let it Go." The video went viral.

I Am A Mom Of A Rainbow Baby

by Ashley Patek

How do you celebrate one child while mourning the loss of another? This mama shares her story.

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.

Gratitude Builds The Brain For Emotional Intelligence

by Ashley Patek

Whether we are thanking our spouse, our kids, Mother Nature, or receiving thanks in return, gratitude in any form can help stabilize emotions, help us parent from our center, and offer our children the safety and connection to learn and grow.

10 Magical Outcomes to Dropping Your Expectations

by Guest Author

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.

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?

Celebrating Juneteenth: Honoring History And Taking Action

by Selina Armstrong

Juneteenth is important for the larger narrative around justice and equality. It is not just Black History, it is American History. We can honor the legacy of Juneteenth AND mindfully take action for continued change. Here are seven ways.

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.