Mindful Moments Blog

Girl reading a school book

Mindful Moments Blog

School After COVID: What Parents Are Saying

by Ashley Patek
Last March, school districts across the country closed due to COVID, and more than 55 million children were sent home to finish their school year.
How to handle sibling rivalry during quarantine

Mindful Moments Blog

How to Handle Sibling Rivalry During Quarantine

by Ashley Patek
In a time of social distancing, tension can elevate between siblings. These 7 tips can help to tame sibling rivalry during quarantine.
When Your Child Fears The Coronavirus: 8 Tips for Taming Anxiety

Mindful Moments Blog

When Your Child Fears The Coronavirus: 8 Tips for Taming Anxiety

by Ashley Patek
As a parent, what do you do when your child has fears that feel out of their control - things like viral outbreaks and global warming? Learn 8 tips for taming fears and anxieties through connection.
St. Louis Mom’s Alternative To Timeouts Turns Into Multi-Million Dollar Business

Mindful Moments Blog

St. Louis Mom’s Alternative To Timeouts Turns Into Multi-Million Dollar Business

by Ashley Patek
Parenting during a pandemic has its challenges, but there’s something that can help those with younger children thanks to a St. Louis mom.
Helping Traumatized Children Learn – Trauma-Informed Schools Act of 2019

Mindful Moments Blog

Helping Traumatized Children Learn – Trauma-Informed Schools Act of 2019

by Ashley Patek
The Trauma-Informed Schools Act of 2019 helps to define trauma-informed practices within schools with goals to decrease school-to-prison pipeline and create a safe learning environment.
Raising Mindful Children During The Age Of Black Lives Matter

Mindful Moments Blog

Raising Awake Children in the Age of Black Lives Matter

by Ashley Patek
Our country is standing at a pivoting point. #BlackLivesMatter is the anthem and our nation is singing in the face of injustice. For all lives to matter, black lives must matter. 
Amateur Parenting: How a Card Game Transformed My Family

Mindful Moments Blog

Amateur Parenting: How a Card Game Transformed My Family in a Matter of Minutes

by Alex Petrou
When I decided to back the Generation Mindful Kickstarter campaign for PeaceMakers, I had no idea that this choice would change the course of my family in an instant. This might sound like hyperbole, but I’m being completely serious. This card game has[...] 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.
Sesame Street Speaks Up Against Racism

Mindful Moments Blog

Sesame Street Speaks Up Against Racism

by Ashley Patek
Sesame Street leads the pack on educating children about inclusion, social issues, and kindness, and now, with their newest special, “The Power of We,” they will teach children how to stand up against racism.
Man giving to a homeless man

Mindful Moments Blog

Homeless Families In The Age Of The Coronavirus

by Ashley Patek
Read about how the coronavirus is affecting the homeless population and what we can do to help.
Justin Baldoni in the store with is tantruming daughter

Mindful Moments Blog

Two Men and a Tantruming Toddler

by Alex Petrou
Kids can break into full-on tantrums at the drop of a hat, and nearly every parent has been where actor Justin Baldoni found himself on Father's Day. How can we release fear of judgement and be with our tantruming toddler during their time of need?
Video Released of Six-Year-Old Girl Being Arrested

Mindful Moments Blog

Video Released of Six-Year-Old Girl Being Arrested

by Ashley Patek
Warning: the content of this video is potentially upsetting. We share it with the intent to empower determination as we advocate for change, protecting the most vulnerable in our society from injustice. The funneling of students out of school and into the streets and the juvenile correction system perpetuates a cycle known as the “school-to-prison pipeline.” According to the American Bar Association (ABA), far too many students that eventually become incarcerated start this journey with a referral from the classroom to the courtroom. Not only do parents and educators need training in the science and the practical applications of positive discipline, but police officers do as well. There is no reason for a six-year-old child to be put in handcuffs and hauled off to prison for fingerprinting and mugshots for acting our in school. This is only one component of how the school to prison pipeline that currently exists in our education system is built. Read more on the school to prison pipeline and a new bill to diminish willful defiance suspensions. ____________ Generation Mindful creates tools, toys, and programs that nurture emotional intelligence through play and positive discipline. Join to learn more about positive discipline and receive joy in your inbox each week.
Mother's Day

Mindful Moments Blog

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.
PeaceMakers featured in The St. Louis Post Dispatch

Mindful Moments Blog

St. Louis Post-Dispatch: A Card Game to Boost Your Child's Emotional Intelligence

by Alex Petrou
When I coerced my family to play a new card game designed to nurture our empathy, the first question was: How do you win? “Oh my god, it’s not that kind of game,” I said. We’re a competitive bunch. Let’s just say I’ve been uninvited from some family game[...] 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.
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.
children in school raising their hands

Mindful Moments Blog

School to Prison Pipeline: New Bill to Diminish Willful Defiance Suspensions

by Ashley Patek
With efforts to keep children in school and out of the school-to-prison pipeline, teachers and administrators within California school districts will no longer be able to suspend elementary and middle school students for willful defiance, as part of a Senate Bill signed by Gov. Newsom.
Fifth Grader Creates Kindness Closet For Fellow Students In Need

Mindful Moments Blog

Fifth Grader Creates Kindness Closet For Fellow Students In Need

by Ashley Patek
Ten-year-old Andi Musser created a Kindness Closet, a place students from families with limited incomes or those simply in need of essentials can visit during the school day to "shop" for new or gently worn garments. 
8-Year-Old Cancer Survivor Breaks Girl Scout Cookie Record Selling 32,484 Boxes

Mindful Moments Blog

8-Year-Old Cancer Survivor Breaks Girl Scout Cookie Record Selling 32,484 Boxes

by Ashley Patek
8-yeayr-old Lilly Bumpus broke the national record for most Girl Scout boxes sold in one season with 32,484 boxes, including 5,000 donation boxes that will go to fellow childhood cancer warriors in the hospitals, to help feed the homeless, and to deployed troops. 
Philly Voice: Mindfulness Card Games

Mindful Moments Blog

Philly Voice: Mindfulness Card Games: Nurturing Compassion and Peace in Our Families

by Guest Author
The table is set and food prepared. Children play nearby; it’s joyously noisy after a busy day of adventuring. My sister and her girls are in town for a week. I treasure every moment as we connect, explore and share stories. "Dinner is ready," I announce[...] 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.
Gift giving

Mindful Moments Blog

6 Meaningful Christmas Gifts

by Ashley Patek
Rather than storing unwanted toys in the closet, this year give the children on your list meaningful memories instead. Here are six connection-based gift ideas for ages two and up that we love for the holidays.
National Nurses Day

Mindful Moments Blog

National Nurses Day: Celebrating A Work Of Heart

by Ashley Patek
National Nurses Day is celebrated annually on May 6th, providing an opportunity to thank nurses for the contributions they offer daily to serve the health and well-being of others, and to educate the public about the important role nurses play in our lives.