Mindful Moments Blog

I'm Not An Angry Mom. I'm An Overwhelmed Mom.

I Am Not An Angry Mom. I'm An Overwhelmed Mom.

by Ashley Patek

We aren’t angry parents. We are just parents with unmet needs, lagging skills, and lots of overwhelm - both sensorially and emotionally. Here is the one real solution.

Mindful Moments Blog

Juggling Big Emotions

by Jessica Zodicoff

As a seven-year-old girl, I remember my grandpa coming over for the holidays and juggling whatever fruit he could find in our kitchen. He taught me to juggle using not lemons, but just three tissues. The fruit was too big for my little-girl hands, but like a set of training wheels, I practiced with those tissues until...

Mindful Moments Blog

Ask Andrew: Grandparenting

by Andrew Patterson

Andrew answers today's question: How can I, as the grandmother of a diagnosed five-year-old grandson be a solid support to him and his parents? I live in CA and they live in AZ.

Boy in glasses laying on his tummy in front of a red bookcase

Mindful Moments Blog

Study Finds That Emotional Intelligence Moves the Needle on Academic Success

by Ashley Patek

A new study describes emotional intelligence as an important part of academic success from kindergarten into college.

Mindful Moments Blog

Teaching Children To Trust Their Intuition

by Ashley Patek

Intuition is vital for our children to feel safe. When we send messages that gaslight or override our children's intuition, we dismiss life through their lens. Children need to know that we will support them in tuning in and trusting what they find. Read more.

Mindful Moments Blog

Feeding The Senses Helps Regulate Emotions: Part 2

by Ashley Patek

Sensory diets are one way to incorporate alerting or calming sensory activities to regulate the nervous system, and because every child is unique, so too is every sensory diet. Here are 9 things to consider when designing a sensory diet:

Mindful Moments Blog

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

by Ashley Patek

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.

Mindful Moments Blog

Why Am I Grieving? 3 Tips For Coping With Ambiguous Loss

by Guest Author

Learning to cope with a global pandemic creates a widespread level of ambiguous loss. It’s been within this paradox of embracing the innovation of “the new normal” while grieving “the old normal” that I have felt it most.

Mindful Moments Blog

Framing And Hanging Your Time-In-ToolKit

by Ashley Patek

Which frames will work best? Where were the best deals on frames? And how do I hang them? Here is your guide to framing and hanging your Time-In ToolKit.

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

Mindful Moments Blog

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)

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.

Mindful Moments Blog

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.

Mindful Moments Blog

Three Ways To Stop Misbehavior

by Rebecca Eanes

When time-outs didn't work, this mom turned to three things, and it stopped her child's misbehavior.

Mindful Moments Blog

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.

Mindful Moments Blog

Waiting

by Suzanne Tucker

For the mamas out there whose hearts know the sharp sting and then the long deep ache of miscarriage, I see you. I feel your heart and I want you to know that you are not alone. Here is my life's story - our joys, our sadness and, most of all, our waiting.

Mindful Moments Blog

Ask Andrew: Finding Ways To Motivate

by Andrew Patterson

Andrew answers today's question: I am working with a family that struggles to motivate their son to practice the application of new skills. Any advice on how to discuss the importance of things or improve motivation? This kiddo is highly intelligent and strong-willed.

Mindful Moments Blog

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.

Mindful Moments Blog

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.

Mindful Moments Blog

In 2022, Ditch The Parenting Goals. Set Intentions Instead.

by Ashley Patek

Instead of setting goals for the New Year, set intentions. It will save your sanity, especially when parenting children. Here's how.

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