Mindful Moments Blog

It’s Development, Not Defiance

Mindful Moments Blog

It’s Development, Not Defiance

by Rebecca Eanes on Aug 04 2021
We are so accustomed to parenting being a struggle. We expect it. We deal with it. We fight back and forth for control. But what if I told you that their behavior was not defiance but development. Here are 3 tools to help your child grow their emotional regulation and impulse control muscles. 
How To Parent Respectfully And Set Boundaries

Mindful Moments Blog

Setting Boundaries With Your Strong-Willed Child

by Ashley Patek on Aug 04 2021
Boundaries often feel hard to set and harder to stick to, especially in parenting. Learn how to set boundaries that are clear and consistent while also validating your child's wants and desires with these 6 tools. 
Ask Andrew: Finding Ways To Motivate

Mindful Moments Blog

Ask Andrew: Finding Ways To Motivate

by Andrew Patterson on Aug 02 2021
Andrew answers today's question: I am working with a family that struggles to motivate their son to practice the application of new skills. Any advice on how to discuss the importance of things or improve motivation? This kiddo is highly intelligent and strong-willed.
Practicing Transitions To Reduce Meltdowns

Mindful Moments Blog

Practicing Transitions To Reduce Meltdowns

by Ashley Patek on Jul 29 2021
Children are concrete learners and often thrive off of predictability, so it can be hard for them to pivot, especially when the request is to move from a preferred activity to a less preferred task. Here are 5 tools to help children with transitions. 
Ask Andrew: Finding Your People

Mindful Moments Blog

Ask Andrew: Finding Your People

by Andrew Patterson on Jul 26 2021
Andrew answers today's question: My 14 year-old daughter with autism doesn’t get invited to things and gets mad at her 6 year-old sister because of jealousy, I think. What can I do to help her with this?
9 Mantras I Use When Low On Patience With My Kids

Mindful Moments Blog

9 Mantras I Use When Low On Patience With My Kids

by Ashley Patek on Jul 25 2021
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.
Sometimes It's Hard, And That Isn't A Failure

Mindful Moments Blog

Sometimes It's Hard, And That Isn't A Failure

by Guest Author on Jul 22 2021
We cannot shield our children from stress, heartache, and pain, especially as they grow older. And we can't protect them from mental illness. But we can provide them attachment and love them through it.
Post-Pandemic Schools Need More Than Academics

Mindful Moments Blog

Post-Pandemic Schools Need More Than Academics

by Traci Esposito on Jul 22 2021
Post-pandemic children have a lot to adjust to. And there is no cookie-cutter response because the mental health of our children is not one-dimensional. There is a spectrum of feelings and emotional stress taking a seat in the classroom this year. Here are some tools for nurturing social-emotional learning (SEL). 
The Stories Kids Want To Tell About COVID

Mindful Moments Blog

The Stories Kids Want To Tell About COVID

by Rebecca Eanes on Jul 19 2021
Our children grew up in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their brains developed in quarantine. Their bodies changed in lockdown. They are emerging from this as different people, and the impact it had on them is yet to be told. Here are 4 things we can do to support our children’s social-emotional health this school year ...
Ask Andrew: Facing The "I Don't Knows"

Mindful Moments Blog

Ask Andrew: Facing The "I Don't Knows"

by Andrew Patterson on Jul 19 2021
Andrew answers today's question: I ask my daughter something and she replies “I don’t know” even if it is a matter of clear opinion. Like … “Shall we get ice cream? … Why is that?” After I reframe the questions she suddenly knows.
Regulate Emotions Through Play

Mindful Moments Blog

Regulate Emotions Through Play

by Ashley Patek on Jul 16 2021
How do we get under the meltdowns, tantrums, and big wants and desires fueling our tots? Learn how to use play and mind-body activities to increase connection, regulate emotions, and change undesirable behaviors.
Teaching Your Child How To Be Mad

Mindful Moments Blog

Teaching Your Child How To Be Mad

by Ashley Patek on Jul 15 2021
It’s not about teaching our children not to be mad, sad, or frustrated. It’s about teaching them how to be mad, sad, and frustrated. Rather than teaching them to suppress or bottle their emotions, we can empower our children to move through them in healthy ways. Here's how. 
Speaking Your Child's Meltdown Language

Mindful Moments Blog

Speaking Your Child's Meltdown Language

by Ashley Patek on Jul 14 2021
Understand the biology of a meltdown and how to speak your child's unique meltdown language.
Ask Andrew: Grandparenting

Mindful Moments Blog

Ask Andrew: Grandparenting

by Andrew Patterson on Jul 12 2021
Andrew answers today's question: How can I, as the grandmother of a diagnosed five-year-old grandson be a solid support to him and his parents? I live in CA and they live in AZ.
Portable Emotional ToolKit for Sensitive Kids

Mindful Moments Blog

Portable Emotional ToolKit for Sensitive Kids

by Guest Author on Jul 06 2021
How do you discipline a highly sensitive child? Using time-ins help children understand and mange their deep emotional world, nurturing connection and emotional intelligence. Here are 8 tips to building a portable ToolKit for your child to help them regulate not only at home but on the go.
Ask Andrew: Co-Parenting

Mindful Moments Blog

Ask Andrew: Co-Parenting

by Guest Author on Jul 05 2021
Andrew answers today's question: My husband is on the spectrum and refuses to seek professional assistance. I suspect that my 4-year-old son is also on the spectrum and isn’t getting the support he needs from my husband. How can I address this without my husband thinking that all I do is tell him what he doesn’t do “right” or “good enough”?
Helping Children Embrace Mistakes For A Growth Mindset

Mindful Moments Blog

Helping Children Embrace Mistakes For A Growth Mindset

by Ashley Patek on Jun 30 2021
Whether your kiddo strikes out at baseball, colors out of the lines, or gets a grade lower than they wanted, parents have a beautiful opportunity to honor big feelings and offer tools to help them accept and maybe even celebrate it. Here are 8 ways. 
Does Self-Care Feel Like A Chore?

Mindful Moments Blog

Does Self-Care Feel Like A Chore?

by Ashley Patek on Jun 29 2021
Empowerment self-care is when we can be with the current moment with joy and ease, noticing how we feel and asking ourselves, “What is it that I want and need, and how do I make that happen?” Here's how to listen to your sensory body and 5 simple self-care breaks for you and your child.
What Happens When We Say, “You Hurt My Feelings” To Our Kids

Mindful Moments Blog

What Happens When We Say, “You Hurt My Feelings” To Our Kids

by Ashley Patek on Jun 29 2021
When we say things like "You hurt my feelings" or "You make me so mad", we send messages to our children that they are responsible for our feelings. Learn the truth about feelings, how to overcome childhood adaptations, and what to say instead.
Ask Andrew: Navigating Responses To Stimming

Mindful Moments Blog

Ask Andrew: Navigating Responses To Stimming

by Andrew Patterson on Jun 28 2021
Andrew answers today's question: How do you deal with people making fun of stims? Especially loud vocal ones?