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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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My Mom-Fail Turned My Toddlers Into Teachers

by Ashley Patek

This mom shares how her two toddlers taught her a beautiful lesson in the face of her mom-fail using their family Calming Corner.

The Most Effective Parenting Tool Is You

by Ashley Patek

Wondering why your child went from zero to berserk in 10 seconds flat? This parenting gem is your lifeline.

Mom and teen daughter laughing together on a couch with a heart icon above them

I’ve Never Grounded My Teenager - Here’s Why

by Rebecca Eanes

In our culture, we are accustomed to training children through pain. We are fooled into thinking it’s good because it works, but it only works for a short time, and the reason it works is heartbreaking. Here's what to do instead of punishment.

Preschooler Teaches Her Younger Sister About Emotions While Learning To Manage Her Own

by Ashley Patek

The last thing Kelly wanted was another gimmick for a tired, worn-out parent. She was overwhelmed and out of ideas on how to manage her daughters' meltdowns. But then something amazing happened ... her oldest daughter taught her youngest daughter how to use a feelings chart.

Is It Okay For Me To Cry In Front Of My Child?

by Catherine Liggett

How do we straddle the line of expressing emotion in front of our children while letting them know that they are not responsible for our feelings? The process can be vulnerable and uncomfortable, but this is often how it feels when we commit to breaking cycles of generational wounding.

Feeling Emotions As An Adult When Taught Not To As A Child

by Ashley Patek

When we learn to suppress unpleasant emotions as a child, we become adults whose conditioned self masquerades as our authentic self. This dampens our human experience (and affects our mental health and parenting). Here's how to break the cycle.

From Classroom to Home: One Teacher's Journey to Positive Parenting

by Ashley Patek

After maternity leave, I decide to shift from my role as a teacher of an academic classroom to that of teaching our “one and only.” My full momma heart told me that I would nail it. I mean, how hard could it be to teach one child when I had taught so many?

TikTok Goes Viral As Mom Shows Alternative to Time-Outs Using The Time-In ToolKit

by Ashley Patek

A mom recently shared a clip on TikTok of her son using Generation Mindful's Time-In ToolKit, and the post went viral. Take a look.

A calm mother kneels eye-level with a frustrated child, holding their hands to demonstrate co-regulation and emotional connection

What Do I Do When My Child Won't Stop Hitting?!

by Ashley Patek

Why does my child hit and what can I do to get him to stop?

Man Regulates Co-Worker Using Tools He Learned From His Daughters' Calming Corner

by Ashley Patek

Kevin is a supervisor for the federal government and dad of two daughters, ages seven and six. In using a Calming Corner for his daughters at home, he gained tools that he later integrated with a co-worker during an escalated moment.

Helping Your Child With The Tough Transition Back To School

by Ashley Patek

Children bring so many different emotions to the first week of school: excitement and anticipation, fear and wonder. The change may lead to increased meltdowns and/or regressions. Make the transition less overwhelming with these 5 tools.

Emotional Intelligence: How To Discipline A Toddler Without Time-Outs

by Ashley Patek

Tantrums happen but parents can help children handle their big emotions. Here's how to discipline a toddler with a supportive, long-term approach that nurtures emotional intelligence.

Moving Past Punishment With Compassion

by Ashley Patek

Maybe what she needed was to be seen, heard, and validated. For someone to tell her that she didn’t have to be that scared child anymore. Here are 5 ways to show compassion to a fellow parent and 3 ways to re-parent your inner child.

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.

Nurturing A Natural Love For Learning

by Ashley Patek

How do you nurture curious risk-takers who love to learn? It starts here.

Healing From A Childhood You Don't Remember

by Ashley Patek

There's What Parents Say And What Kids Hear

by Ashley Patek

Does it ever feel like there is a disconnect between what you say and what your kids hear? Like, somehow, asking your child not to jump on the couch or slap her brother translates into more jumping and continued slapping. Here are common parenting phrases, what kids hear, and what we can say instead to get on the same page.

Mindful Parenting and How It Affects Children

by Alex Petrou

What is mindful parenting? Learn the benefits and practices of this positive parenting style and how you can integrate it into your child's life.

How To Create A Calm Down Space Your Kids Won't Fight About

by Ashley Patek

We share tips on setting up your Calming Corner for more than one child so it doesn't become another thing on the list of things they argue over.

Consequences For When My Child Misbehaves

by Ashley Patek

We all want to raise kind and empathetic humans. And when our children fail to pick up their toys, do their homework, or listen to our requests, our instinct is to issue a consequence. But what type of consequences work?