Coping Skills

Self-Care in COVID-19

Self-Care in COVID-19

Self-care can feel like just another thing to add to your to-do list. I KNOW life is hard right now. My kids are fully remote, and sometimes it's a struggle to make it through the next class or piece of homework. I have to thank my colleagues because I keep getting emails and seeing posts about self-care. It's a reminder to me to talk about it and do it. I find that I need to take time for myself. Otherwise, I find myself being more crabby or cranky, and it's hard to accomplish anything. And I need to practice what I preach.

Four Simple Ways to Introduce Mindfulness to Kids

Four Simple Ways to Introduce Mindfulness to Kids

This time is so stressful and full of anxiety! This is the perfect time to start to explore the practice of mindfulness with kids.


Mindfulness is being aware of what’s happening in the present moment. It’s not about trying to clear your mind, but allowing thoughts and emotions to come and go without judgment and familiarizing ourselves with the present moment. It takes practice to be able to do this.

Mindfulness helps kids focus on the present instead of focusing on the past or future. As they grow into adults, they need to learn to manage stress in healthy ways and make sure they have a healthy balance in their lives.

Mindfulness can also be a helpful tool for kids who have challenges with self-regulation or difficulty managing emotions, or want to improve their concentration. it would be helpful for them to be able to calm down and be aware of the present. When they are aware of the present, it will help them be more able to see what’s happening around them and settle themselves and their minds.

In this podcast episode, I talk about four different ways to introduce mindfulness to kids. Take a listen!

Three Benefits of Using Distraction Coping Skills

Three Benefits of Using Distraction Coping Skills

In this episode of the podcast, I’m focused on distraction coping skills, which include things like playing and fun activities. Distraction coping skills aren’t meant to help kids avoid or suppress their feelings. Take a listen to the podcast to hear the three benefits of using distraction as a coping skill, and for some resources that you can get from Coping Skills for Kids.

Unique Ways to Keep Kids Busy This Summer

Unique Ways to Keep Kids Busy This Summer

A social distancing summer looks super different, right? Back in January, I had major plans to go to museums and take day trips with my kids. Most of that has gone out of the window.

What are we doing instead? Instead, we're choosing to explore outdoor spots that are new to us and close by. Last week, we went on a hike to a place we'd never been before, and they were limiting how many people were going in, so that felt safe in terms of our ability to keep the appropriate social distance.

I wanted to hear ideas from others with unique ways to keep kids busy this summer, and I got a ton of responses.

Channeling Big Emotions into Positive Energy

Channeling Big Emotions into Positive Energy

There are a lot of big emotions happening right now, and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to share a coping skill that I wrote about in the Coping Skills for Teens Workbook - Channeling Big Emotions into Positive Energy. Take a listen to the podcast as I read this section of the book. My hope is that you are inspired to use your energy in a positive way.

© Encourage Play, LLC / Coping Skills for Kids 2021