Mindful Moments Blog

Breaking the cycle: Punitive Punishment to Restorative Discipline

Mindful Moments Blog

Breaking The Cycle: A Shift from Punitive to Positive Parenting

by Ashley Patek on Jan 17 2022
A shift from punitive punishment to positive parenting. One mama shares her story of breaking the generational cycle of spanking to connection-based childrearing.
Stress And How Emotional Intelligence Can Keep It In Check

Mindful Moments Blog

Child Stress And How Emotional Intelligence Can Keep It In Check

by Alex Petrou on Nov 22 2021
Stress is our body’s natural reaction to a challenging or adverse situation, whether real or imagined, which triggers the body’s fight-flight-or-freeze response. By learning to express emotions, listen actively, and consider multiple perspectives, children and adults alike can learn to control stress more effectively.
5 Signs Of Toxic Discipline And What To Do If You're Using It

Mindful Moments Blog

5 Signs Of Toxic Discipline And What To Do If You're Using It

by Ashley Patek on Sep 09 2021
Do you use toxic discipline when raising your child? Here are 5 signs that you may. Learn how your childhood influenced your parenting and gain tips for healing both the relationship you have with yourself and the one you share with your child.
Resilient-Informed Care Removes Stigma From Trauma

Mindful Moments Blog

Resilient-Informed Care Removes Stigma From Trauma

by Ashley Patek on May 25 2021
When we label those with adverse experiences as “traumatized” we can create a stigma that there is something to fix, which shadows the wholeness of the individual. The resilience-informed approach is a strength-based framework that shifts the question of “What happened to you?” as seen in a trauma-informed approach to “What is right within you?” Here are 3 ways to mindfully become more resilient after trauma. 
Building Resilience Through Connection

Mindful Moments Blog

Building Resilience Through Connection

by Ashley Patek on May 17 2021
Children are wired to bounce back from trauma when they have protective factors in place. Through connection with a supportive adult, and through increasing their social-emotional skills, a child's health and development can tip towards positive outcomes.
Using Social Stories To Nurture Connection During Home Visits

Mindful Moments Blog

Creating Safe Spaces and Nurturing Connection Using Social Stories and More

by Ashley Patek on May 11 2021
Home visits can play an important role in alleviating the intergenerational transmission of trauma by helping parents and caregivers build positive and healthy attachments with their children. And, in using social stories for home visits, children can better navigate challenging situations. Here's how. Plus FREE Scripted Social Stories Printable.
How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Outcomes

Mindful Moments Blog

How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Outcomes

by Ashley Patek on May 10 2021
Childhood trauma isn’t something you just get over as you grow up. Pediatrician Nadine Burke Harris explains that the repeated stress of abuse, neglect, and parents struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues has real, tangible effects on the development of the brain.
How To Heal Your Inner Child While Raising One

Mindful Moments Blog

How To Heal Your Inner Child While Raising One

by Ashley Patek on Apr 05 2021
Often, when punitive measures were used to reform our behaviors as children, it can be a challenge to step outside controlling, demanding, and commanding our kids, especially in the face of big emotions and misbehavior. So, how do we heal the child within while raising children? Here are 3 tools.
Why am I grieving? 3 Tips for Coping with Ambiguous Loss

Mindful Moments Blog

Why Am I Grieving? 3 Tips For Coping With Ambiguous Loss

by Guest Author on Mar 16 2021
Learning to cope with a global pandemic creates a widespread level of ambiguous loss. It’s been within this paradox of embracing the innovation of “the new normal” while grieving “the old normal” that I have felt it most. 
Bringing The Shadows To Light: Reparenting Yourself In Motherhood

Mindful Moments Blog

Bringing The Shadows To Light: Reparenting Yourself In Motherhood

by Ashley Patek on Jan 25 2021
One mama went into the shadows of her youth to heal the wounds of emotional neglect. And in doing so, she reparented herself, and transformed the connection with her daughter.
Three Ways To Love A Bully

Mindful Moments Blog

Three Ways To Love A Bully

by Ashley Patek on Aug 28 2020
What would happen if we taught our children to empathize with the "bully"? Here are three ways to love the person who is bullying. 
kids arm and arm

Mindful Moments Blog

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

by Ashley Patek on Jul 09 2020
Starting school or starting a new school year can be stressful at the best of times, let alone during a global pandemic.
Video Released of Six-Year-Old Girl Being Arrested

Mindful Moments Blog

Video Released of Six-Year-Old Girl Being Arrested

by Ashley Patek on Mar 01 2020
Warning: the content of this video is potentially upsetting. We share it with the intent to empower determination as we advocate for change, protecting the most vulnerable in our society from injustice. The funneling of students out of school and into the streets and the juvenile correction system perpetuates a cycle known as the “school-to-prison pipeline.” According to the American Bar Association (ABA), far too many students that eventually become incarcerated start this journey with a referral from the classroom to the courtroom. Not only do parents and educators need training in the science and the practical applications of positive discipline, but police officers do as well. There is no reason for a six-year-old child to be put in handcuffs and hauled off to prison for fingerprinting and mugshots for acting our in school. This is only one component of how the school to prison pipeline that currently exists in our education system is built. Read more on the school to prison pipeline and a new bill to diminish willful defiance suspensions. ____________ Generation Mindful creates tools, toys, and programs that nurture emotional intelligence through play and positive discipline. Join to learn more about positive discipline and receive joy in your inbox each week.
Helping Traumatized Children Learn – Trauma-Informed Schools Act of 2019

Mindful Moments Blog

Helping Traumatized Children Learn – Trauma-Informed Schools Act of 2019

by Ashley Patek on Jan 07 2020
The Trauma-Informed Schools Act of 2019 helps to define trauma-informed practices within schools with goals to decrease school-to-prison pipeline and create a safe learning environment.
children in school raising their hands

Mindful Moments Blog

School to Prison Pipeline: New Bill to Diminish Willful Defiance Suspensions

by Ashley Patek on Dec 15 2019
With efforts to keep children in school and out of the school-to-prison pipeline, teachers and administrators within California school districts will no longer be able to suspend elementary and middle school students for willful defiance, as part of a Senate Bill signed by Gov. Newsom.
Trauma-aware teacher

Mindful Moments Blog

The Trauma-Aware Classroom: We All Need Compassion

by Guest Author on Oct 29 2019
I am a teacher. In order to associate with the trauma of my students, I become aware of my own trauma.
Spanking Children Is Still Common and Still Harmful

Mindful Moments Blog

Spanking Children Is Still Common and Still Harmful

by Ashley Patek on Sep 13 2019
Research has shown the long-term effects of spanking on a child's mental, emotional, sexual and behavioral outcomes. And the impact of these negative childhood experiences can directly influence and run the narrative of our adulthood. Read more. 
I am safe and secure

Mindful Moments Blog

I Am Safe and Secure

by Alex Petrou on Aug 31 2018
Feelings Friday #19 - I am safe and secure On carving out our own little safe places... xo Founder, Generation Mindful _____________ 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.