Mindful Moments Blog

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.
Safe Adults Don’t Ask Kids To Keep Secrets

Mindful Moments Blog

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. 
Safe Adults Don’t Ask Kids To Keep Secrets

Mindful Moments Blog

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

Mindful Moments Blog

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

Mindful Moments Blog

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. 
kids arm and arm

Mindful Moments Blog

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

Mindful Moments Blog

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)

Mindful Moments Blog

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

Mindful Moments Blog

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

Mindful Moments Blog

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

Mindful Moments Blog

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.

Mindful Moments Blog

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

Mindful Moments Blog

Keep The Gaze

by Ashley Patek
This is one mama's poem about watching her boys grow from babies to young men.
I Didn't Make My Kids Sit On Santa's Lap And They Are Better For It

Mindful Moments Blog

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. 
The Day My Son Told Me Mad Is Bad

Mindful Moments Blog

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.