Mindful Moments Blog

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Social Emotional Learning in the Classroom

Social Emotional Learning in the Classroom: Simple Tools for the New School Year

by Suzanne Tucker
Social emotional learning starts in everyday classroom moments. Explore simple SEL strategies teachers can use to build emotional literacy, support regulation, strengthen relationships, and create a classroom where children feel safe, understood, and ready to learn.
Woman kneeling to comfort a young boy, with illustrated hands exchanging a gray cloud for a red heart in the background

Positive vs. Negative Reinforcement: A Guide for Parents

by Alex Petrou
Learn how positive vs. negative reinforcement influence your parenting style and the ways positive reinforcers can support your child’s development.
Mother comforting her highly sensitive teenage son during an emotional moment, illustrating parental support, empathy, and teen mental health.

Helping Your Highly Sensitive Child Gain Confidence

by Rebecca Eanes
When our children are highly sensitive, rejection and criticism hurt more deeply. They get embarrassed easily and have strong emotional reactions, which can make them the target for bullying. Here are 5 tools to boost your child's confidence. 
Woman looking at an old childhood photo of herself, surrounded by illustrated hearts and clouds

Healing From A Childhood You Don't Remember

by Ashley Patek
While we may not remember our childhood with our mind and verbal words, our body keeps the score and stores the information it receives from our formative years, namely which parts of us to grow and which to shrink. These downloads show up as patterns in adulthood and in our parenting. Read more. 
Woman with eyes closed and hand on her chest, staying calm, with a flower graphic beside her

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.
of two young girls/ siblings fighting, one pulling hair

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. 
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6 Meaningful Christmas Gifts

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.
Boy talking with a speech bubble showing a heart, symbolizing open and honest communication

Safe Adults Don’t Ask Kids To Keep Secrets

by Ashley Patek
When children learn that secrets are a normal part of a parent-child relationship, the little white lies can stack into something more serious and dangerous. In fact, they can be a key ingredient to abuse. Here's what to do instead. 
3 Effective Ways to Create a Peaceful Home Life

3 Effective Ways to Create a Peaceful Home Life

by Rebecca Eanes
Want to create a home with less yelling, power struggles, and chaos - a home that has more peace? Then these are your three ingredients.
8 Children's Books To Nurture Inclusion

8 Children's Books To Nurture Inclusion

by Ashley Patek
While June is a month to honor and celebrate those in the LGBTQ+ community, inclusion is not a one-time or one-month conversation. It is an everyday lived experience. Here are 8 children's books to nurture inclusion. 
Children Need Less Academics and More Social-Emotional Learning in the Classroom

Children Need Less Academics and More Social-Emotional Learning in the Classroom

by Ashley Patek
Starting school or starting a new school year can be stressful at the best of times, let alone during a global pandemic.
5 Therapeutic Art Activities for Emotional Health

5 Therapeutic Art Activities for Emotional Health

by Rebecca Eanes
Art can help your child release and express feelings they may not know how to process and let go of otherwise. Use these 5 art activities to navigate loss, stress and transitions and to nurture emotional intelligence such as managing big emotions. 
The Harm Of Forcing Manners On Our Children (And What To Do Instead)

The Harm Of Forcing Manners On Our Children (And What To Do Instead)

by Ashley Patek
If we want to step away from punitive measures and towards a deep understanding of manners, and an internal motivation to practice them, it stops with “say the magic word” or “say you are sorry” or “what do you say???” And it starts with these 5 tools. 
3 Ways To Transform Your Child's Behavior

3 Ways To Transform Your Child's Behavior

by Ashley Patek
This mom was searching for a way to transform her child's misbehavior. And it was these three connection-based tools that did it.
To My Strong-Willed And Sensitive Boy

To My Strong-Willed And Sensitive Boy

by Ashley Patek
A poem to her son. One mom watches her strong-willed boy drift to sleep and she sees the child under the big emotions and power struggles, and it restores her for whatever tomorrow brings.
Social Distancing Impact on Children

Social Distancing Impact on Children

by Ashley Patek
We share parents' top concerns and frustrations about their children’s behaviors during this time of staying home, and tools for navigating regression and other stress responses.
Want Your Child to Sleep Better? Do this.

Want Your Child to Sleep Better? Do this.

by Rebecca Eanes
A new study concluded that almost half of children in the United States don’t get the recommended nine hours, and their lack of sleep is negatively impacting their development. This tool may change it all. 
Keep The Gaze

Keep The Gaze

by Ashley Patek
This is one mama's poem about watching her boys grow from babies to young men.
A child writing for Santa this Christmas

I Didn't Make My Kids Sit On Santa's Lap And They Are Better For It

by Ashley Patek
Children are wired to seek approval from their caregivers because it is how they are designed to survive. How we respond as parents to our children’s intuition and their bids to voice their consent greatly impacts their ability to speak their truth, set boundaries, and trust who they are. Read more. 
To My Children

To My Children

by Ashley Patek
To my children, without you ... Our house would be clean and organized yet there would be no handprints on the glass to remind me of your littleness.
The Day My Son Told Me "Mad is Bad"

The Day My Son Told Me "Mad is Bad"

by Ashley Patek
When our children believe that unpleasant emotions are "bad", they become unsafe to feel those emotions. However all emotions are sacred and useful. Here's why. Read more.