Mindful Moments Blog

Don’t Just Set Intentions, Rewire Your Brain. Here's How.

Mindful Moments Blog

Don’t Just Set Intentions, Rewire Your Brain. Here's How.

by Ashley Patek on Dec 20 2021
By the time we are 35 years old, 95% of who we are is a memorized set of behaviors, emotional reactions, unconscious habits, hardwired attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions that function similar to a computer program... but we can rewire our brains. Here’s how.
Helping Teens Cope with Holiday Stress

Mindful Moments Blog

Helping Teens Cope with Holiday Stress

by Rebecca Eanes on Dec 20 2021
As our children grow up and the pure wonder and excitement of the holidays wane, adolescents often experience an uptick in stress and anxiety during the holiday season. What can parents do?
Stop Drowning Out The Expert

Mindful Moments Blog

Stop Drowning Out The Expert

by Ashley Patek on Dec 20 2021
Sometimes the best thing we can do is to drown out the experts so we can make room for the real one … you.
De-escalation Strategies For Jingled Out Kids

Mindful Moments Blog

De-escalation Strategies For Jingled Out Kids

by Rebecca Eanes on Dec 20 2021
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. 
What Can I Do When I Feel Triggered By My Kids?

Mindful Moments Blog

What Can I Do When I Feel Triggered By My Kids?

by Ashley Patek on Dec 15 2021
Why do we feel triggered when our kids do that thing they do, and what tools do we have to keep us from meeting their immaturity with our own? Here are 3 preventive tips and 4 tools for in the heat of the moment. 
Why Do My Kids Trigger Me?

Mindful Moments Blog

Why Do My Kids Trigger Me?

by Ashley Patek on Dec 13 2021
What is a trigger, why do we have them and why are we so dang triggered by our kids?!
3 Steps For Managing Parenting Stress This Holiday Season

Mindful Moments Blog

3 Steps For Managing Parenting Stress This Holiday Season

by Ashley Patek on Dec 13 2021
Parenting during the holidays feels tough because it is tough. Here are 3 tips to get you through with less stress and more joy. 
An Improv Game To Address Bullying Behavior

Mindful Moments Blog

An Improv Game To Address Bullying Behavior

by Guest Author on Dec 13 2021
Is there a way to play an improv game that encourages a productive conversation about bullying behavior? The answer is yes. We have it for you here. 
Santa's 'Naughty List' Has Been Canceled This Holiday Season

Mindful Moments Blog

Santa's 'Naughty List' Has Been Canceled This Holiday Season

by Ashley Patek on Dec 06 2021
The holiday season is meant to be a magical time, but often it is used as leverage to control a child’s behavior. We have a real opportunity to rewrite the narrative. Here's how.
Holiday Survival Guide For Parents: Managing Your Child's Meltdowns

Mindful Moments Blog

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

by Ashley Patek on Dec 06 2021
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.
Parenting In This Day And Age Is Hard AF

Mindful Moments Blog

Parenting In This Day And Age Is Hard As #*@%

by Guest Author on Dec 06 2021
Parenting will trigger parts of you that you didn’t even know could be triggered. Things that have been pushed down inside of you (consciously or subconsciously) will surface and leave you in the ultimate WTF moment! Nonetheless, we are all in the beautiful struggle of parenting together and I remind myself that I am not alone. 
Giving And Receiving

Mindful Moments Blog

Giving And Receiving

by Suzanne Tucker on Dec 03 2021
Join Selina as she plays an improv game called Gift Giving. You can play with friends and family to nurture creativity, flexible thinking, and expand social-emotional skills. Plus, it's fun!
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 on Nov 29 2021
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. 
Santa and The Elf On The Shelf Are Magical Until Used For Behavior Modification

Mindful Moments Blog

Santa and The Elf On The Shelf Are Magical Until Used For Behavior Modification

by Ashley Patek on Nov 29 2021
Our words matter, and when we sing songs and play along with the notion that “you better be good... you better not cry. I’m telling you why” — aka you won’t get any presents — we are sending some pretty damaging messages to young children.
5 Winter-Themed Sensory Activities for Your Calming Corner

Mindful Moments Blog

5 Winter-Themed Sensory Activities for Your Calming Corner

by Rebecca Eanes on Nov 29 2021
Could your Calming Corner use a little seasonal cheer? Here are 5 winter-themed sensory activities to add into your space!
Acts Of Service Boosts Emotional Intelligence. Here's How.

Mindful Moments Blog

Acts Of Service Boosts Emotional Intelligence. Here's How.

by Ashley Patek on Nov 29 2021
Toddlers and teens alike have brains that are going through major biological transformations and family rituals like volunteering can help nurture their social-emotional intelligence. Here are 10 acts of service to do as a family this holiday season. 
Gratitude Builds The Brain For Emotional Intelligence

Mindful Moments Blog

Gratitude Builds The Brain For Emotional Intelligence

by Ashley Patek on Nov 22 2021
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. 
Teaching Children To Trust Their Intuition

Mindful Moments Blog

Teaching Children To Trust Their Intuition

by Ashley Patek on Nov 16 2021
Intuition is vital for our children to feel safe. When we send messages that gaslight or override our children's intuition, we dismiss life through their lens. Children need to know that we will support them in tuning in and trusting what they find. Read more. 
Is My Child Too Old To Use A Calming Space?

Mindful Moments Blog

Is My Child Too Old To Use A Calming Space?

by Ashley Patek on Nov 08 2021
How do you use a Calming Space with kids beyond the toddler stage? Here are 5 tips.
I Am Not Mad. I Am Feeling Mad. And There Is A Difference.

Mindful Moments Blog

I Am Not Mad. I Am Feeling Mad. And There Is A Difference.

by Ashley Patek on Nov 08 2021
Our identity is not the way we feel. The way we feel is a state of being. Here's why that's important (spoiler alert - it affects your child's brain development), and strategies for adults and children to balance their emotions.