Mindful Moments Blog

How to Become a Cycle-Breaking Parent in 4 Steps

Mindful Moments Blog

How to Become a Cycle-Breaking Parent in 4 Steps

by Guest Author on May 30 2022
Unlike many of our parents who repressed, denied, ignored, or shamed their own feelings, resulting in abusive explosions and emotional neglect, becoming a cycle breaker means that we commit to FACE-ing our emotions with clarity and deep compassion. Here's how to use FACE (Feel, Amplify, Connect, and Embrace), a 4-step process, to break cycles.
Helping Your Kids Process Tragic News

Mindful Moments Blog

Helping Your Kids Process Tragic News

by Ashley Patek on May 25 2022
In different ways, we will have conversations with our children about the tragedy that took place and find the resources we need to protect, heal, and grow. We will do our best to prepare them, to arm our babies with love and knowledge and safety. Here are some tips on having these and conversations and resources to support and educate ourselves and our kids. 
Parenting DUI's Affect A Child's Self-Worth

Mindful Moments Blog

Parenting DUI's Affect A Child's Self-Worth

by Ashley Patek on May 24 2022
In all of our loving intent, we sometimes commit parenting DUI's, which can send our children into a protective response. Here are 3 ways to break the cycle, not only for your child but for your inner child, too.
5 Reasons Kids Misbehave And How To Respond

Mindful Moments Blog

5 Reasons Kids Misbehave And How To Respond

by Ashley Patek on May 17 2022
Here are five common reasons our kids misbehave and some ideas on how to respond for a more peaceful, connected home. 
What To Do When Positive Parenting Isn't Working

Mindful Moments Blog

What To Do When Positive Parenting Isn't Working

by Rebecca Eanes on May 16 2022
Sometimes parents say that positive parenting “isn’t working” for them, and when that is the case, it’s important to explore why before giving up. Here are some reasons why and 5 things to do when you feel like positive parenting isn't working for your family. 
My Child Morphed! What To Do When Big Emotions And Behaviors Take Over.

Mindful Moments Blog

My Child Morphed! What To Do When Big Emotions And Behaviors Take Over.

by Ashley Patek on May 11 2022
Is it just me or does something happen to our children when they turn three, four and five? Like all of the sudden emotions are more potent and behaviors are more exasperating. Here's why, plus 4 tips to help your child's nervous system regulate amidst all of these changes. 
10 Tough Emotions Parents Feel But Don't Talk About

Mindful Moments Blog

10 Tough Emotions Parents Feel But Don't Talk About

by Ashley Patek on May 10 2022
Here are 10 feelings you may be feeling as a parent. There’s a good chance you aren’t talking about these feelings because they are the ones we fear others will judge us for, and they are the feelings we criticize ourselves for. It is when we notice and share those feelings that we find our way back to ourselves.
Why You Don’t Need to Hide Your Feelings From Your Kids

Mindful Moments Blog

Why You Don’t Need To Hide Your Feelings From Your Kids

by Guest Author on May 09 2022
Often in the world of respectful parenting, there is this idea that parenting with intention means always being calm and happy with our kids. This is a fallacy. Here's why, and what to do instead. 
How To Rediscover Emotions That Were Suppressed In Childhood

Mindful Moments Blog

How To Rediscover Emotions That Were Suppressed In Childhood

by Ashley Patek on May 02 2022
Sometimes all that we need is a safe place to feel, except we don’t know how to feel a full spectrum of emotions because we were taught not to, and even if we did feel, we lack the language to communicate those feelings. Here's how to change the narrative not only for our mental health but our kids' too. 
childhood pathological liar

Mindful Moments Blog

Am I Raising A Pathological Liar?

by Ashley Patek on Apr 28 2022
Worried you are raising a pathological liar? You are not alone. Not only is some degree of lying normal for children, but it is a healthy sign of their developing brain. Read more.
Boundaries Give My Child This Gift

Mindful Moments Blog

Boundaries Give My Child This Gift

by Guest Author on Apr 25 2022
Sometimes the desire to avoid setting boundaries is a control strategy based on our own discomfort with conflict. When we blast through the assumption that being a good parent means avoiding conflict, we gift our children the ability to know who they are, what they want, and how to ask for it - something that was not always safe or allowed for our child-selves.
I Messed Up. Have I Messed Up My Kids?

Mindful Moments Blog

I Messed Up. Have I Messed Up My Kids?

by Ashley Patek on Apr 25 2022
You know you are a parent if you have ever questioned your qualifications for the job. You may be asking yourself, How do I know I am not messing up my children every time I pitfall into conditioned habits? Whatever your wounding patterns are, these tips can help you embrace your enoughness as a cycle breaker.
The Way You Perceive Your Child Affects How You Respond To Them

Mindful Moments Blog

The Way You Perceive Your Child Affects How You Respond To Them

by Rebecca Eanes on Apr 18 2022
Is your child's challenging behavior bad behavior or is it a distress call? Your perspective will decide. Perspective is the lens through which you view the world. It determines how you perceive your children. By changing how we see our children, we change how we respond to them. 
Three Steps To Shift From Frustration To Connection

Mindful Moments Blog

Three Steps To Shift From Frustration To Connection

by Guest Author on Apr 18 2022
Undoubtedly, the most frustrating moments in parenting are those that happen to us every day. When we understand what is causing our frustration, we are able to move from connection. Here are 3 tips. 
Pretending To Be Calm Is Not Helping Our Children

Mindful Moments Blog

Pretending To Be Calm Is Not Helping Our Children

by Rebecca Eanes on Apr 11 2022
Many of us believe that if we can remain calm no matter what and teach our children to do the same then we have successfully mastered self-regulation. But true regulation has nothing to do with achieving a certain state. It's in noticing and responding to whatever emotion you are feeling.
What If My Partner Talked To Me That Way?

Mindful Moments Blog

What If My Partner Talked To Me That Way?

by Ashley Patek on Apr 11 2022
In the early years, we are the definitions of love for our children. Our behavior and words outline what is acceptable and what isn’t. Our response informs them of how to treat others and sets the pace for their own self-worth. Ask yourself, "What if my partner talked to me/treated me in the way I do my children?" What would come up for you?
No bad kid

Mindful Moments Blog

There Is No Such Thing As A Bad Child

by Guest Author on Apr 11 2022
As a mother and trauma therapist, I can sniff out social trauma from a mile away.
3 Bunny Brain Breaks To Increase Emotional Regulation And Academic Learning

Mindful Moments Blog

3 Bunny Brain Breaks To Increase Emotional Regulation And Academic Learning

by Ashley Patek on Apr 04 2022
Multi-sensory movements specific to eye-teaming, hand-eye coordination, and whole-body awareness changes the architecture of the brain, bolstering social-emotional and academic learning. Here are 3 Bunny Brain Breaks to do with your kiddos this spring (Free Printable!). 
Your Child's Misbehavior Is A Distress Call. How You Answer Matters.

Mindful Moments Blog

Your Child's Misbehavior Is A Distress Call. How You Answer Matters.

by Rebecca Eanes on Mar 28 2022
Misbehavior is really a way of saying “I need help” when the words will not come. We wouldn’t answer “I need help” with “you’re in big trouble.” We’d say, “I can help. Here I am.” Answer the distress call. This is where true change begins. 
Feeling In Color

Mindful Moments Blog

Feeling In Color

by Guest Author on Mar 28 2022
Do you live in black and white or do you feel in color?