Mindful Moments Blog

6 Reasons You May Be Failing Time-Ins

6 Reasons You May Be Failing Time-Ins

by Ashley Patek
If you are having trouble implementing Time-Ins in your home, or you are wondering if this is right for your family, we have some tips to help bring the science and connection into everyday life. 
Emotional Education Helps Woman Finds Self-Love After Childhood Accident

Emotional Education Helps Woman Finds Self-Love After Childhood Accident

by Guest Author
After being in a traumatic accident, I viewed the world differently than every other eleven-year-old. My brain didn’t adapt as well as my body, and I wondered, "What's wrong with me?" Then, I found the one thing that was lacking in my childhood: emotional education. Here's my journey. 
Time-Ins Are Not A Punishment Nor A Reward

Time-Ins Are Not A Punishment Nor A Reward

by Ashley Patek
Do time-in's "reward" children for being bad? We wanted to strip this question down to the bare bones and address every facet of this misconception. Read more. 
When Partners Disagree: Tools For Parenting On The Same Page

When Partners Disagree: Tools For Parenting On The Same Page

by Ashley Patek
Parenting disagreements are not uncommon, especially with so many different parenting ideologies out there. So, how can parents get on the same page?
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 Successfully Co-Parent With Your Ex

6 Ways To Successfully Co-Parent With Your Ex

by Ashley Patek
How do we co-parent with our ex when we have differing views and parenting philosophies, and how do we keep our kids from being in the middle?
Teaching Academics and Social-Emotional Skills in the Montessori Classroom

Teaching Academics and Social-Emotional Skills in the Montessori Classroom

by Ashley Patek
Emily Canibano, a Montessori teacher with a classroom of 16 students ranging in age from 1.2 to 5.5 years, was looking for a way to teach social-emotional skills in her classroom, both in feeling emotions and in the safe expression of them.
Breaking The Cycle: A Shift from Punitive to Positive Parenting

Breaking The Cycle: A Shift from Punitive to Positive Parenting

by Ashley Patek
A shift from punitive punishment to positive parenting. One mama shares her story of breaking the generational cycle of spanking to connection-based childrearing.
5 Things To Do When Your Child Doesn't Want To Go To The Calming

5 Things To Do When Your Child Doesn't Want To Go To The Calming Corner

by Ashley Patek
What do you do when your child is so deep into their meltdown that they do not want to go to their calm down space ... or even want you near them? Here is a parent's guide.
Morning Meetings and Connecting a Classroom

Morning Meetings and Connecting a Classroom

by Ashley Patek
A the school counselor shares how her school transformed its classroom culture by using SnuggleBuddies plush toys to teach students about their emotions. 
a parent calmly kneeling and offering a sturdy, comforting presence to an upset young

When Your Child Says "I Hate You!"

by Guest Author
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?
Six Ways To Intentionally Raise Kind Children

Six Ways To Intentionally Raise Kind Children

by Ashley Patek
Research shows that when we shame, blame, and guilt children into kindness, or, quite the opposite, when we dangle carrots (aka external rewards) for caring, children begin to view kindness as a chore rather than a choice. So how do we teach kindness? Read more.
5 Simple Daily Mindful Moments For Parents

5 Simple Daily Mindful Moments For Parents

by Traci Esposito
Whether the kid crew is acting mild or wild, chances are, your days would go a little more smoothly if you started and ended them with a few simple mindful moments. Here are 5 daily mindful moments you can add in (not on) to your day to have less yelling and more peace in your home. 
20 Parenting Phrases to Use in a Pinch

20 Parenting Phrases to Use in a Pinch

by Rebecca Eanes
These tried and true phrases will help you respond to your child in a way that keeps the peace, shows empathy, holds boundaries and brings calm to the situation. Test out a few and use the ones that feel right when you need to.
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.
Mom kneeling to talk with her little boy, with a heart and speech bubble beside them

Three Words Our Kids Need To Hear

by Ashley Patek
Looking to decrease power struggles, meltdowns, and "defiance"? These are the three words that your child needs to hear.