Category: Mindful Mondays

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Books, books and more books! When I can go to a bookstore and walk out with a bag full of books for under $20, I feel like I hit the jackpot! Thanks, Barnes &Noble! (Anyone knows of any local bookstores in the city, let me know! )

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It’s been a great first full week of the new year! Kudos to all of you that embraced the new year, ready to give our best effort!

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Preparing your students for the holiday break:

• Allow time to prepare for the break. Scholars have to mentally prepare for changes to their schedules, even changes they think they want. Giving brain-breaking instruction up to the last minute of the last day of school may less helpful than slowing letting off the academic gas towards the end of the week.
• Remember compassion. Some of our scholars have a lot of mental and emotional weight that comes with the holidays. They may not behave like scholars who are expecting a fun-filled Christmas break.
• Take time to Self-Care. Holidays tend to be hectic and, sometimes, overwhelming. So, plan some down-time for self-care. Whatever makes you feel fulfilled and at peace should be on your To-Do list during the break.

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50% of the 5th-grade scholars earned a Mastery or Advance on the LEAP 360 Math interim assessment! 50%!!! Kudos to Mr. Malveaux for his dedication to our scholars and their hard work on this assessment!

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This video provides us with a perfect pattern of breathing to help us overwhelm our bouts of anxiety. It is also a wonderful brain break regardless of how you feel!

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On Black Friday, the transmission on my car died while driving 45 miles an hour on I-49 with traffic. So, I am very grateful for God’s safety and protection that allowed us to coast into an empty parking lot without incident. I am also grateful for the ten years of memories created with that car; so many experiences, friendships and decisions were made behind the wheel of my trusty Altima.

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Consider the reality that some people did not have wonderful family-oriented holiday plans. Some dealt with grief during this season while others struggled with abandonment and broken promises. Some ate peanut butter sandwiches instead of 5-course Thanksgiving spread. Our friends, family, co-workers may have experienced too much heartache or not enough connection during this holiday. So, today, share grace and compassion with others. Give them a bit of time to reacclimate to post-holiday life and let them know that you’re there for them. Being Present is the BEST gift.

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So, we bit the bullet and hosted Edison’s birthday party at ChuckECheese this weekend. What would have been an overwhelming experience (for both him and me, seriously!) became very manageable, thanks to Paige, our birthday host! She made the experience go by smoothly, which allowed us to enjoy his birthday party. Kudos to chuckecheese.com and Paige! We just might party there again!

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One way to bring a restless mind back to center is to use a technique called “Five Senses”. It is a grounding exercise that helps one focus on what is in the immediate instead of the past or the future. Try it when you are feeling frazzled, anxious, frustrated or unfocused.

• Take a deep breath. Hold it for 1…2…3…seconds. Release it: 3…2…1
• Focus on your surroundings. Name 5 things you can see. Name them out loud. “I see the painting on the wall…I see the red chair…”
• What do you hear? Name 4 things that you can hear. Name them out loud. “I hear the scraping of the chair…I hear a door close…”
• Name 3 things that you can feel. Name them out loud. “I feel my sweater on my skin…I feel the sweat on my forehead…”
• Name 2 things that you can smell. Name them out loud. “I smell the scent of my lotion…I smell the air freshener…” If you can not smell anything, name two favorite smells.
• Lastly, name 1 thing that you can taste. Name it out loud. “I taste my peppermint…” If you can not smell anything, name your favorite taste.”
• Now that you have completed the exercise, breath. Hold for 3…2…1. Release it: 3…2…1.

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I am grateful for parents and parent in-laws that love spending time with our children. This weekend, my kids enjoyed their time with my parents and I was truly thankful for that.

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What’s that Sound? Helping your kids learn the value of silence

Ever heard of the ‘Silence Game’? The goal of this activity is to help kids create healthy intentional listening abilities. This can be used by educators and parents alike. Here is an except from a wonderful article by Maren Schmidt, a renown Montesorri educator.

“To play, gather up ten or so items that you can manipulate to create a noise, for example, clicking a pen, moving the teeth of a comb, crumbling a piece of paper, tapping a fork on a table, flicking a fingernail against a glass, opening and closing a clothespin, etc. Invite your children to turn their backs to you. Tell them you’re going to make a noise and they should guess what it is. Make sure the room is quiet as possible, with television and radio turned off. Make three or four sounds and have the children guess. “

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We all need that friend who we can be accountable to, be challenged by and grow with. I am blessed with several of such friends. Today, I am grateful for my friend, my confidant, Sarah Thibodeaux. I am guaranteed to be stretched and provoked to deeper thought with her. I love you, Sarah. You’re the best!

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Tip: The Gratitude Jar

A gratitude jar is a great way to practice mindful gratitude.  Start the morning with Post-It notes and jot down one thing something you are thankful for.  Place the note in the Gratitude Jar of your choosing.  Next step mindfulness: at the end of the week, reflect with gratitude over some of the notes. 

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I am grateful for time. Time to love freely. Time to sit and reflect. Time to connect and reconnect. Time to bask in the goodness of my life. What are you grateful for?

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My first Lafayette Mom entry, called Jumping In Puddles, was posted this week! I was so apprehensive about how it would be received and am so grateful that it was liked and shared by my wonderful followers! Keep reading, y’all, there’s more to come!