Mindful Moments Blog

Toddlers And Meltdowns And Brain Development, Oh My!

Meltdowns Develop Your Child's Brain When Met With Connection; Punishment Doesn't Work

by Ashley Patek

Toddlers are one of the most authentic creatures on the planet, and also, arguably, the most misunderstood. On the surface, we see meltdowns, defiance, and limit testing. But there’s so much more than what meets the eye.

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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.

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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:

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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.

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Re-Parenting Yourself As You Parent Your Child

by Guest Author

Remember, there is a little one wanting to be parented inside of you, too.

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Children Will Never Forget

by Suzanne Tucker

Safe, powerful, connected. Supported, nurtured, and seen. These are just some of the ways we want our children to feel.

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Sixteen-Year-Old's Poem on Being A Man Challenges Definitions of Masculinity

by Ashley Patek

Sixteen-year-old Simar Singh shares his poem "How To Be A Man" to shine light on what happens when we tell young boys it is wrong, unsafe, and weak to feel. He challenges the socially constructed notions attached to manhood to change the narrative while raising awareness about mental disorders, especially depression.

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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.

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Harlow

by Ashley Patek

This mama uses a poem to capture her experience of telling her son about his sister ... "What happened, mama? Why didn’t she come home? ... Her body laid so still at birth, I said, But her soul knew where to go."

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Holiday Survival Guide For Parents: Managing Your Child's Meltdowns

by Ashley Patek

Here are some reasons why toddlers meltdown more during the holiday season followed by some easy tips to help regulate their environment and their moods.

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De-escalation Strategies For Jingled Out Kids

by Rebecca Eanes

December is a sensory-overload kind of month. It’s loud. It’s busy. It’s flashy. For a lot of kids, it can be so overwhelming that they may just jingle all the way to a meltdown. For this reason, it’s good to have a few de-escalation strategies in mind. Here are 5.

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How I Celebrate Being An Imperfect Mom

by Ashley Patek

I closed the car door with my foot as I tiptoed my son’s birthday cupcakes inside.

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3 Simple New Year’s Intentions for a Stronger Relationship with Your Child

by Rebecca Eanes

Practice these three intentions in the new year to rebuild or strengthen your parent-child bond and enjoy the fruits of a healthy relationship.

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Behavior Charts for Kids: Do They Work?

by Traci Esposito

Behavior charts track behavior, but do they work in actually reforming it? Parents and educators can use this instead to nurture children's social-emotional skills and guide behaviors. Read more.

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The Most Precious Gift We Have Is The Accumulation Of Seconds With Our Children

by Ashley Patek

“Mommy, will you lay with me?” The back of my son’s jammie shirt lay slightly spotted as it caught my silent tears. The most precious gift we have is the accumulation of seconds with our children. And this is what they need us to know.

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