Mindful Moments Blog

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

Mindful Moments Blog

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. 
Pregnant mama showing her bump in nature

Mindful Moments Blog

From Classroom to Home: One Teacher's Journey to Positive Parenting

by Ashley Patek
After maternity leave, I decide to shift from my role as a teacher of an academic classroom to that of teaching our “one and only.” My full momma heart told me that I would nail it. I mean, how hard could it be to teach one child when I had taught so many?
Gratitude Builds The Brain For Emotional Intelligence

Mindful Moments Blog

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. 
Mom goes viral on TikTok using Generation Mindful's Time-In ToolKit

Mindful Moments Blog

TikTok Goes Viral As Mom Shows Alternative to Time-Outs Using The Time-In ToolKit

by Ashley Patek
A mom recently shared a clip on TikTok of her son using Generation Mindful's Time-In ToolKit, and the post went viral. Take a look. 
A calm mother kneels eye-level with a frustrated child, holding their hands to demonstrate co-regulation and emotional connection

Mindful Moments Blog

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?
Helping Your Child With The Tough Transition Back To School

Mindful Moments Blog

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. 
Emotional Intelligence: How To Discipline A Toddler Without Time-Outs

Mindful Moments Blog

Emotional Intelligence: How To Discipline A Toddler Without Time-Outs

by Ashley Patek
Tantrums happen but parents can help children handle their big emotions. Here's how to discipline a toddler with a supportive, long-term approach that nurtures emotional intelligence.
Mom Realizes It's Never Too Late To Parent Differently

Mindful Moments Blog

Mom Realizes It's Never Too Late To Parent Differently

by Ashley Patek
As a school psychologist on the elementary level, Karen was in search of professional development tools, and in doing so, found an avenue to help her in raising her three diverse sons.
Video Of Trader Joe's Employees Singing And Dancing To Stop Toddler Tantrum Goes Viral

Mindful Moments Blog

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. 
A Mother’s Love: I Hope You Always Know

Mindful Moments Blog

A Mother’s Love: I Hope You Always Know

by Guest Author
A mother shares her perspective of Motherhood. No matter the doubt, or her questions of being enough, there is one thing she knows for sure, "despite all my questions, my immeasurable love for you is not one of them."
Moving Past Punishment With Compassion

Mindful Moments Blog

Moving Past Punishment With Compassion

by Ashley Patek
Maybe what she needed was to be seen, heard, and validated. For someone to tell her that she didn’t have to be that scared child anymore. Here are 5 ways to show compassion to a fellow parent and 3 ways to re-parent your inner child.
St. Louis Mom Launches New Parenting Tool

Mindful Moments Blog

St. Louis Magazine: St. Louis Mom Launches New Parenting Tool After Raising $7K on Kickstarter

by Alex Petrou
When my son first saw the deck of colorful PeaceMakers cards lying on the counter, he smiled and asked, “What are THESE, Mama?”. He dove right in, mixing them up and picking ones for me to read. He’s only four years old, but he immediately took action[...] Read More ____________ Generation Mindful creates tools, toys, and programs that nurture emotional intelligence through play and positive discipline. Join us and receive joy in your inbox each week.
Play-based tool to reduce stress in the classroom

Mindful Moments Blog

A Play-Based Solution To Reducing Stress In The Classroom

by Guest Author
How can educators bring mindfulness practices into their classrooms? This educator shares tips and ideas for playful mindful minutes that can be added into the school day.
Joy Sun Bear on Unity

Mindful Moments Blog

Joy Sun Bear on Unity

by Alex Petrou
Join this curious and special bear cub as he embarks on magical adventures to explore the world, discover his inner gifts, and share them with others. In this short video Joy Sun Bear explains a very special word to children...UNITY. Take in the video and then tell us, what does the word unity mean to you? For more exciting adventures and to practice "seeing the world with joy" visit Joy Sun Bear and his friends here. Sign up for their monthly newsletters and the adventures will be sent right to your inbox. Click here for more on PeaceMakers and follow Generation Mindful on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. _____________ Generation Mindful creates tools, toys, and programs that nurture emotional intelligence through play and positive discipline. Join us and receive joy in your inbox each week.
The Way You Perceive Your Child Affects How You Respond To Them

Mindful Moments Blog

The Way You Perceive Your Child Affects How You Respond To Them

by Rebecca Eanes
Is your child's challenging behavior bad behavior or is it a distress call? Your perspective will decide. Perspective is the lens through which you view the world. It determines how you perceive your children. By changing how we see our children, we change how we respond to them. 
We Don't Do Equal In This House

Mindful Moments Blog

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. 
Little girl in her Calming Corner

Mindful Moments Blog

Positive Affirmations are Helping Kids

by Ashley Patek
These printable mantra bracelets are a great way for parents to share comforting and empowering mantras with children as young as age two on up. Because when we feel worthy and loved, we respond as if we are worthy and loved. And when we feel powerless and not enough, we respond as if we are powerless and not enough.