Mindful Moments Blog

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.
Social-Emotional Learning Starts At Home

Mindful Moments Blog

Social-Emotional Learning Starts At Home

by Ashley Patek on Mar 07 2022
Students who are self-aware and able to understand their emotions have a greater ability to relate to others, make decisions, and excel academically. Here is how to help your child develop social-emotional skills at home. 
Talking To Our Kids About Death

Mindful Moments Blog

Talking To Our Kids About Death

by Ashley Patek on Feb 21 2022
Death is part of life, yet it can be an uncomfortable topic to discuss, especially with our children. Here are 5 tips for parents when talking to their child about death to support their emotional experience and understanding. 
How Mindfulness Helped Me Focus My ADHD

Mindful Moments Blog

How Mindfulness Helped Me Focus My ADHD

by Ashley Patek on Jan 31 2022
I was diagnosed with ADHD at six-years-old. I was given medication that helped my teacher teach me and other students be around me, but it didn't help me learn skills to regulate my emotions. From a child who had a difficult time with emotions, to now working with similar kiddos, here’s what I can tell you. 
Helping Kids Process Their Emotions Free From Shame

Mindful Moments Blog

Helping Kids Process Their Emotions Free From Shame

by Alex Petrou on Jan 10 2022
If you’ve ever caught yourself wanting to tell an emotional child to just stop, (so basically, if you are a human being) here are three things to keep in mind that will help you help kids process their emotions free from shame.   
I'm Not An Angry Mom. I'm An Overwhelmed Mom.

Mindful Moments Blog

I Am Not An Angry Mom. I'm An Overwhelmed Mom.

by Ashley Patek on Jan 03 2022
We aren’t angry parents. We are just parents with unmet needs, lagging skills, and lots of overwhelm - both sensorially and emotionally. Here is the one real solution. 
Raising Emotionally-Intelligent Boys: One Mom's Journey

Mindful Moments Blog

Raising Emotionally-Intelligent Boys: One Mom's Journey

by Ashley Patek on Nov 01 2021
What do you do when the world around you tells you that you are too sensitive?  Do you adapt to the social norms and shift who you are, or do you hush the noise of society to listen to your inner wisdom?
Emotional Intelligence: How To Discipline A Toddler Without Time-Outs

Mindful Moments Blog

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

by Ashley Patek on Oct 20 2021
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.
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.
Why Is My Child Behaving This Way?

Mindful Moments Blog

Why Is My Child Behaving This Way?

by Ashley Patek on Aug 09 2021
Power struggles ... meltdowns ... defiance. Here's what's causing your child's behavior and tools for transforming it.   
Getting Your Child To Listen Without Commands And Demands

Mindful Moments Blog

Getting Your Child To Listen Without Commands And Demands

by Ashley Patek on Aug 06 2021
Want your child to listen without having to nag, command or demand? Follow these 5 tips.
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. 
The Battle Between Positive and Negative Reinforcement

Mindful Moments Blog

The Battle Between Positive and Negative Reinforcement

by Traci Esposito on May 10 2021
We parents have long searched for a solution when it comes to behavior modification, asking ourselves, which is more effective, positive or negative reinforcement? We have the scoop here.
Child crying

Mindful Moments Blog

Why Behavior Charts Don't Work For Most Kids

by Ashley Patek on Nov 09 2020
Behavior charts have been widely used over the past thirty years and while they may achieve the short-term goal of obedience, they miss the long-term goal of building the brain for life-long skills.
Birth of a mother

Mindful Moments Blog

Celebrating The Birth Of A Mother

by Guest Author on Oct 16 2020
Motherhood seemed to come so easy to everyone around me, yet here I was, barely keeping it together. One mom shares how she was re-born after having children. 
To My Girlfriends, I Will Be Back

Mindful Moments Blog

To My Girlfriends, I Will Be Back

by Ashley Patek on Oct 08 2020
To my girlfriends, I know it’s been a while since we had a girls’ night … girls’ dinner … well, girls’ anything.
Re-Parenting Yourself As You Parent Your Child

Mindful Moments Blog

Re-Parenting Yourself As You Parent Your Child

by Guest Author on Oct 05 2020
Remember, there is a little one wanting to be parented inside of you, too.  
Toddler using Calming Corner

Mindful Moments Blog

How To Use A Calming Corner With Kids Under Three

by Traci Esposito on Sep 22 2020
You've likely seen the Calming Corner floating around social media, and you're probably wondering if this adorably cozy setup will work in your home, let alone with your two-year-old. And the answer is YES. Here's how. 
The Ultimate Guide To Building A Calming Corner And Using Time-Ins At Home

Mindful Moments Blog

The Ultimate Guide To Building A Calming Corner And Using Time-Ins At Home

by Ashley Patek on Sep 10 2020
How do you say goodbye to time-outs and introduce time-ins? This is the ultimate guide on the do's and don'ts for building and using a Calming Corner.
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.