mindful_and_empowering_kids

09/03/2026

School is in session!

A new beginning… a new start…

Some of your kids jumped out of bed ready to go. Others needed a few extra minutes to gather themselves. Both are totally OK.

Wherever your children are at heading back to school is exactly where they’re meant to be. This is their journey, and they’re figuring it out as they go, with us regulating alongside them, then relating, then reasoning together.

Let’s celebrate the wonderful moments and hold space for the harder ones. Both are okay.

School teaches our kids about the world. Imagine if we also teach them about themselves — and let that understanding grow right alongside the academics.

Our kids deserve that. They are our world-changers in the making.

Wishing all my LV community a beautiful start to the year! 🐺💙🩵

08/19/2026

Pop up classes next week. Come to one or all 3.

https://forms.gle/My2GFaHVxKGBU2SS6

Exciting info for adults and teens coming tonight!!! Check back

3 day mini sessions to prepare your child for back to school before the demands of school! Aug 24-26th Ages 5-12

A parent support packet will be distributed to help ease the transition.

Day 1 Breath
Day 2 Brain
Day 3 Body

Space is limited!
Sign up below
https://forms.gle/giYPYXqkWBV29a6v6

08/13/2026

A lot of you know me here for the kids work — the regulation strategies, the nervous system stuff, the “body before behavior” approach.

I’ve been working with young people for over 25 years in and out of schools and raising 3 of my own amazing daughters so I’ve experienced and heard a lot!

What I have found during this time is that science doesn’t stop working once we grow up. I’d argue that it becomes even more important as we get older- especially if you are guiding young people at the same time! We want to walk alongside them without feeling exhausted and burnt out!

When we regulate the body first, and everything else , focus, mood, energy, decision-making will follow. Seems simple, right…

Only stipulation- We have to do the work!!

That’s true for a 5-year-old and it’s true for you.

So I’m broadening what Mindful and Empowering kids offers to Foundations to Learning. Same foundation (ME kids is not going anywhere) just growing — now including adults and teens.

First thing coming: VO2max metabolic testing (a total health blueprint for YOU) this September. More details in a couple of days 👀

Going back to school isn’t just for our young people! Learning happens at every age! You deserve it! 💪🏻🧠

08/12/2026

3 day mini sessions to prepare your child for back to school before the demands of school! Aug 24-26th Ages 5-12

A parent support packet will be distributed to help ease the transition.

Day 1 Breath
Day 2 Brain
Day 3 Body

Space is limited!
Sign up below
https://forms.gle/giYPYXqkWBV29a6v6

08/07/2026

This crew!!! The biggest group we’ve had to date!

They braved the rain, the heat, and even little nats that wouldn’t leave us alone…

But they brought themselves everyday and for that I will be so grateful. New friendships were made, they lead with creativity and were open to anything we challenged them to do!

This was a strong bunch! Thank you again parents for entrusting and sharing your children with me this week! And a huge thanks to the counselors-I couldn’t do this without you!

‼️Camp may be over, but we are just getting started over here. New classes for kids AND adults (I’ve been listening) are coming this fall!!!

Schedules will be out this weekend! Dm if you want to get on the email list

08/06/2026

You didn’t see the child who had a hard time leaving mom.

The misunderstanding between two friends because one thought they were playing and the other didn’t.

The one who got overwhelmed by all the sounds around him.

The child who wanted to quit because frustration took over.

The one who felt left out.

The one who got mad because they lost a game.

The one who fell down and needed a few minutes to get back up.

Or the moment someone took something without asking.

Those moments don’t make the highlight reel, but they’re some of the most important parts of our weeks.

This has always been my philosophy. It’s why this is called ME—Mindful & Empowering.

Life isn’t always easy, and I don’t think we do young people any favors by pretending it is.

Here, we don’t rush in to fix every problem. We slow down, give them the language to express what they’re feeling, help them understand another perspective, and empower them to advocate for themselves. Using 21st century skills.

And we give them TIME. Time to be them- not perfect but real. Sometimes it’s messy but in the mess is where we learn.

The smiles make great pictures but the goal is never performative. It is to help young people discover they already have what they need to work through it. They just need some guidance and a little belief until they are ready to do it on their own. 💪🏻🧠💜

04/28/2026

End of year energy is real. 😮‍💨

Everyone is tired and patience is running thin. This is when the lesson matters least and the connection matters most.

When the room feels heavy — that’s your sign. Put the plan down and connect with them. Build or even rebuild the relationship and ground the room.

Because when students feel safe and seen, something shifts. The resistance softens. Not because you had the perfect activity — but because you chose them over the curriculum for a moment.

That’s what they’ll remember. Not the work.

They’ll remember you showing up for them when everyone was running on empty. After teaching for over 20+ years, I get it, it’s hard… but it’s so worth it. Our young people are looking for guides to help the navigate a school day in a safe and engaging way.

The lesson can wait. Connection first! 💜

04/22/2026

This time of year can feel like Trying to fit everything in between learning and the fun stuff can feel like you’re running on empty.

It makes sense after everything you’ve carried this year.

While the to do list seems like it’s insanely full, try coming back to what’s simple and steady each day. Structure is important, especially this time of the year.

‼️This is the time to tighten- not relax. Think back to the beginning of the year when setting the classroom expectations were critical to starting the year off strong.

These small shifts will go along way:

*Start the day with movement think strength (push ups, planks, squats and if you can get outside - holding on a bar) before anything- it doesn’t take long but resets students quickly and naturally (and it’s fun)

* Be Clear with simple expectations- they don’t need more talking to them
* Consistent follow-through- this is big! They are testing all boundaries this time of year
* Predictable routines they can rely on- especially for the younger students but even older ones whose nervous systems are racing-having a safe environment that’s predictable is huge.

⭐️Think shorter bursts, not long stretches (chances are their nervous systems are in overdrive and they are functioning in a sympathetic state over a parasympathetic state)

⭐️Give directions in small, manageable chunks. Again, they are getting input from every angle and depending on the time of day they could be at capacity.

⭐️Reset often. Re-anchor often. It doesn’t take long but needs to be intentional- not just checking a box .

Students don’t need more freedom right now,
they need more clarity and calm.

And you do too.

⚡️Movement levels out the playing field since we don’t know what everyone’s coming in with.
⚡️Consistency creates a sense of safety.
⚡️Predictability helps everyone stay a little more regulated.

So keep it simple. Keep it steady.
Let “good enough” be enough right now.

You’re allowed to finish the year with less pressure and more care—for your students and for yourself.