Using coping skills can be such a useful tool to have ready in our tool kits to use with our children or even ourselves. Sometimes it’s hard to get kids to practice and try different strategies. In this year's summer series, Janine introduces us to a selection of different coping skills which she invites you to practice and see which style works best for you and your child. 

In today’s episode, Janine introduces us to a deep breathing technique called ‘Cool the Cocoa’. This is where you breathe in and out pretending to blow and cool down a hot drink of cocoa. 

Take a moment to try a new method, listen along and practice if you’d like. See if it’s a skill you’d like to add in to your own personal coping skills toolkit! 

And remember, do not forget about yourself, take a few minutes for you and have a little fun!

—

About The Host - Janine Halloran

Janine Halloran is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, an author, a speaker, an entrepreneur and a mom. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Janine has been working primarily with children, adolescents, and their families for over 20 years. She is the Founder of 'Coping Skills for Kids', where she creates products and resources to help kids learn to cope with their feelings in safe and healthy ways. Janine also founded 'Encourage Play’ which dedicated to helping kids learn and practice social skills in the most natural way - through play!

If you're interested in learning more about how to teach kids coping skills, download your free Coping Skills Toolkit:

https://copingskillsforkids.com/newsletter

If you're interested in joining the Coping Skills Community Hub, an ever-expanding resource library and community of families and professionals teaching kids how to cope, learn more at https://copingskillsforkids.com/hub

If you'd like to purchase Janine's products, including the Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Skills for Teens Workbook, Social Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Cue Cards, and more, visit https://store.copingskillsforkids.com or https://amazon.com/copingskillsforkids

Connect with Janine on Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janinehalloranlmhc

Instagram @janine_halloran and @copingskillsforkids

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JanineHalloranLMHC

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/encourageplay/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-halloran-43787b7b/

We talk so much about the kids but what coping skills do you use as the parent or the professional who works with kids? This episode is specially for the grown ups! 

In this episode Janine speaks about :

Emergency strategies, like positive self talk and the use of grounding techniques

Preventative Mental Health strategies; including 

Quick strategies like, slow breathes at a red light and getting out in the sunshine each day

A weekly strategy like, meeting a friend for coffee or going to an exercise class

A yearly strategies like going on a girls weekend away or a spa day

Intentional Mental Awareness session and resources: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/intentional-mental-health-scheduling-wellness-coping-skills-in-your-life-tickets-1394759827189?aff=oddtdtcreator

And remember, do not forget about yourself, take a few minutes for you and have a little fun!

—

About The Host - Janine Halloran

Janine Halloran is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, an author, a speaker, an entrepreneur and a mom. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Janine has been working primarily with children, adolescents, and their families for over 20 years. She is the Founder of 'Coping Skills for Kids', where she creates products and resources to help kids learn to cope with their feelings in safe and healthy ways. Janine also founded 'Encourage Play’ which dedicated to helping kids learn and practice social skills in the most natural way - through play!

If you're interested in learning more about how to teach kids coping skills, download your free Coping Skills Toolkit:

https://copingskillsforkids.com/newsletter

If you're interested in joining the Coping Skills Community Hub, an ever-expanding resource library and community of families and professionals teaching kids how to cope, learn more at https://copingskillsforkids.com/hub

If you'd like to purchase Janine's products, including the Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Skills for Teens Workbook, Social Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Cue Cards, and more, visit https://store.copingskillsforkids.com or https://amazon.com/copingskillsforkids

Connect with Janine on Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janinehalloranlmhc

Instagram @janine_halloran and @copingskillsforkids

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JanineHalloranLMHC

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/encourageplay/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-halloran-43787b7b/

Carrie Bonnett is a veteran teacher and lifelong list-maker. She is an Executive Function coach based in Bend, Oregon, where she lives with her husband and two children. Carrie works with students and families all over the world. Her no-shame approach and the strategies she teaches:

• empower students to thrive in life and in school, 

• help parents and teachers to better support their children, and

• help adults get on top of all that life requires. 

In addition to coaching, she is also an adjunct instructor for early-career teachers at University of Portland in Oregon.

Resources mentioned in this podcast were, 4 ways to help your student get things done (without constant reminders): www.carriebonnett.com/blueprint

Website: www.carriebonnett.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachcarriebonnett/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachcarriebonnett

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@carriebonnett

About The Host - Janine Halloran

Janine Halloran is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, an author, a speaker, an entrepreneur and a mom. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Janine has been working primarily with children, adolescents, and their families for over 20 years. She is the Founder of 'Coping Skills for Kids', where she creates products and resources to help kids learn to cope with their feelings in safe and healthy ways. Janine also founded 'Encourage Play’ which dedicated to helping kids learn and practice social skills in the most natural way - through play!

If you're interested in learning more about how to teach kids coping skills, download your free Coping Skills Toolkit:

https://copingskillsforkids.com/newsletter

The Coping Skills Hub has everything you need to teach kids coping skills, learn more at https://copingskillsforkids.com/hub

If you'd like to purchase Janine's products, including the Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Skills for Teens Workbook, Social Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Cue Cards, and more, visit https://store.copingskillsforkids.com or https://amazon.com/copingskillsforkids

Connect with Janine on Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janinehalloranlmhc

Instagram @janine_halloran and @copingskillsforkids

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JanineHalloranLMHC

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/encourageplay/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-halloran-43787b7b/

Have you ever wondered when is a good time to practice coping skills with your child? This is a really good question to consider and how this may look in your week. The first step is for the adult and child to be emotionally ready and calm and from this point, new skills can be learned.  

In this episode Janine speaks about:

The window of tolerance 

The rainbow illustration explained by Lindsay Braman

When learning can’t happen and the emotions to look for

Being a thermostat rather than the thermometer 

Looking for calm moments and transition points in the day

It’s okay to do learning seasonally and not regularly

Building a coping skills toolkit with the Coping Skills Hub

And remember, do not forget about yourself, take a few minutes for you and have a little fun!

—

About The Host - Janine Halloran

Janine Halloran is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, an author, a speaker, an entrepreneur and a mom. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Janine has been working primarily with children, adolescents, and their families for over 20 years. She is the Founder of 'Coping Skills for Kids', where she creates products and resources to help kids learn to cope with their feelings in safe and healthy ways. Janine also founded 'Encourage Play’ which dedicated to helping kids learn and practice social skills in the most natural way - through play!

If you're interested in learning more about how to teach kids coping skills, download your free Coping Skills Toolkit:

https://copingskillsforkids.com/newsletter

If you're interested in joining the Coping Skills Community Hub, an ever-expanding resource library and community of families and professionals teaching kids how to cope, learn more at https://copingskillsforkids.com/hub

If you'd like to purchase Janine's products, including the Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Skills for Teens Workbook, Social Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Cue Cards, and more, visit https://store.copingskillsforkids.com or https://amazon.com/copingskillsforkids

Connect with Janine on Social Media

Connect with Janine on Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janinehalloranlmhc

Instagram @janine_halloran and @copingskillsforkids

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JanineHalloranLMHC

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/encourageplay/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-halloran-43787b7b/

Have you ever considered sharing a journal with your kids? Sometimes your child may come home and isn’t ready to share about your day. Journaling is an opportunity to see how your child views the world while you’re living the same moments. It can open up opportunities to be empathetic to situations that you weren’t experiencing in the same way. It can create a safe space for questions to be asked, that you weren’t aware that they were worrying about. 

In this episode Katie and Janine discuss:

The powerful connection you can build through journaling

Why journaling can be helpful 

How to set rules for a joint journal

How to start to journal together

How to spark a conversations away from a journal 

How Katie likes to rest and relax

And remember, do not forget about yourself, take a few minutes for you and have a little fun!

About The Guest - Katie Clemons 

Katie Clemons is a mom of four, award-winning author, and nationally recognized expert in family connection. For over a decade, she has helped over 600,000 families strengthen their bonds through storytelling, conversation, and shared experiences. Through her guided parent-child journals, free printables, and Letters to My Child membership, Katie makes it easy for busy parents to capture memories, nurture meaningful conversations, and create lasting connections with the kids they care about. Her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, People, CNN, Pregnancy & Newborn, and Good Housekeeping, and she has shared her expertise on HGTV and the TEDx stage. She believes that the simplest moments often become the most cherished.

Find her free resources and family connection printables at: https://katieclemons.com/free-printables/

For free journal printables got to: 

https://katieclemons.com/write/

Instagram - 

https://www.instagram.com/katierclemons/

About The Host - Janine Halloran

Janine Halloran is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, an author, a speaker, an entrepreneur and a mom. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Janine has been working primarily with children, adolescents, and their families for over 20 years. She is the Founder of 'Coping Skills for Kids', where she creates products and resources to help kids learn to cope with their feelings in safe and healthy ways. Janine also founded 'Encourage Play’ which dedicated to helping kids learn and practice social skills in the most natural way - through play!

If you're interested in learning more about how to teach kids coping skills, download your free Coping Skills Toolkit:

https://copingskillsforkids.com/newsletter

The Coping Skills Hub has everything you need to teach kids coping skills, learn more at https://copingskillsforkids.com/hub

If you'd like to purchase Janine's products, including the Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Skills for Teens Workbook, Social Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Cue Cards, and more, visit https://store.copingskillsforkids.com or https://amazon.com/copingskillsforkids

Connect with Janine on Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janinehalloranlmhc

Instagram @janine_halloran and @copingskillsforkids

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JanineHalloranLMHC

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/encourageplay/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-halloran-43787b7b/

Where do you begin when you want to teach kids coping skills? Janine has a five step system she uses to help kids learn and use coping strategies, starting with connection, and finishing up with making a personal coping toolkit for kids. 

In this episode Janine speaks about 

Connecting with your young person where they’re at and what they love

Talking about feelings

Using movie or book characters to talk through scenarios 

The use of checklists 

Making a personalized toolkit

Resources Mentioned in the podcast:

Ways to Connect with Kids and Teens

Three Playful Ways to Explore Feelings with Kids

Using TV, Movies and Book Characters to Explore Coping Skills

How to Use the Coping Skills Checklist

Help Kids Use Coping Skills When they need them

Coping Skills Hub -

everything you need to teach coping skills!

And remember, do not forget about yourself, take a few minutes for you and have a little fun!

—

About The Host - Janine Halloran

Janine Halloran is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, an author, a speaker, an entrepreneur and a mom. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Janine has been working primarily with children, adolescents, and their families for over 20 years. She is the Founder of 'Coping Skills for Kids', where she creates products and resources to help kids learn to cope with their feelings in safe and healthy ways. Janine also founded 'Encourage Play’ which dedicated to helping kids learn and practice social skills in the most natural way - through play!

If you're interested in learning more about how to teach kids coping skills, download your free Coping Skills Toolkit:

https://copingskillsforkids.com/newsletter

If you're interested in joining the Coping Skills Community Hub, an ever-expanding resource library and community of families and professionals teaching kids how to cope, learn more at https://copingskillsforkids.com/hub

If you'd like to purchase Janine's products, including the Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Skills for Teens Workbook, Social Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Cue Cards, and more, visit https://store.copingskillsforkids.com or https://amazon.com/copingskillsforkids

Connect with Janine on Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janinehalloranlmhc

Instagram @janine_halloran and @copingskillsforkids

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JanineHalloranLMHC

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/encourageplay/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-halloran-43787b7b/

On today's podcast I speak with Giselle Shardlow, M.Ed., from Kids Yoga Stories. She is a colleague I connected with recently who has so much experience working with kids through movement, mindfulness and yoga.

This is a sneak peek of the Family Resilience Speaker Series starting on March 31st, 2025.

Sign up here to attend the FREE Series. https://copingskillsforkids.com/resilience

About The Guest - Giselle Shardlow

Kids Yoga Stories was founded in 2012 by classroom teacher and trained yoga instructor Giselle Shardlow. Through her travels and teaching grades K-5th in Guatemala, Australia, Canada, and the United States, Giselle witnessed the need to address childhood illiteracy, obesity, and stress. 

She blended her passions of yoga, mindfulness, and education to create books, card decks, courses, and educational resources to bring the benefits of yoga to children everywhere.

The pandemic and the rise in mental health issues in children, as well as teacher burnout has made the Kids Yoga Stories mission even more critical and timely. They continue to grow and expand, providing weekly free resources and hundreds of yoga products available for purchase on their site.

www.kidsyogastories.com

https://www.facebook.com/KidsYogaStories/

https://www.instagram.com/kidsyogastories/

https://www.pinterest.com/kidsyogastories/

About The Host - Janine Halloran

Janine Halloran is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, an author, a speaker, an entrepreneur and a mom. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Janine has been working primarily with children, adolescents, and their families for over 20 years. She is the Founder of 'Coping Skills for Kids', where she creates products and resources to help kids learn to cope with their feelings in safe and healthy ways. Janine also founded 'Encourage Play’ which dedicated to helping kids learn and practice social skills in the most natural way - through play!

If you're interested in learning more about how to teach kids coping skills, download your free Coping Skills Toolkit:

https://copingskillsforkids.com/newsletter

The Coping Skills Hub has everything you need to teach kids coping skills, learn more at https://copingskillsforkids.com/hub

If you'd like to purchase Janine's products, including the Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Skills for Teens Workbook, Social Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Cue Cards, and more, visit https://store.copingskillsforkids.com or https://amazon.com/copingskillsforkids

Connect with Janine on Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janinehalloranlmhc

Instagram @janine_halloran and @copingskillsforkids

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JanineHalloranLMHC

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/encourageplay/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-halloran-43787b7b/

Sometimes it's some of the simple things in your day to day like a game you like to play that remind you of a few strategies and values in life that are helpful to keep you going. 

In this episode, Janine speaks about the game Stardew Valley and the reminders of life lessons that she holds and was reminded of from playing this video game. She speaks about:

Building up Resilience 

You have to practice to get better at something. The importance of keep going, recognise your strengths but still keep practicing. 

It’s okay if you fail in the process and you can always try again. 

If you miss a goal that’s been set, isn’t the end of the world 

There’s always a chance to have another go at it if you miss the chance or don’t get it quite right the first time around 

Have connection moments with others while you’re live so you don’t miss the moment and can gain skills or new experience from sharing with others 

Schedule your play and downtime 

Rest is important. Guard it. Make sure work doesn’t interfere with this time. Book in the hangouts with friends, exercise and keep those non-negotiables in this time. 

Resources Mentioned in the podcast:

Want to play Stardew Valley? https://www.stardewvalley.net/

Coping Skills for Adults Survey: https://copingskillsforkids.com/coping-skills-for-adults

And remember, do not forget about yourself, take a few minutes for you and have a little fun!

—

About The Host - Janine Halloran

Janine Halloran is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, an author, a speaker, an entrepreneur and a mom. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Janine has been working primarily with children, adolescents, and their families for over 20 years. She is the Founder of 'Coping Skills for Kids', where she creates products and resources to help kids learn to cope with their feelings in safe and healthy ways. Janine also founded 'Encourage Play’ which dedicated to helping kids learn and practice social skills in the most natural way - through play!

If you're interested in learning more about how to teach kids coping skills, download your free Coping Skills Toolkit:

https://copingskillsforkids.com/newsletter

The Coping Skills Hub has everything you need to teach kids coping skills, learn more at https://copingskillsforkids.com/hub

If you'd like to purchase Janine's products, including the Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Skills for Teens Workbook, Social Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Cue Cards, and more, visit https://store.copingskillsforkids.com or https://amazon.com/copingskillsforkids

Connect with Janine on Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janinehalloranlmhc

Instagram @janine_halloran and @copingskillsforkids

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JanineHalloranLMHC

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/encourageplay/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-halloran-43787b7b/

When you label your feelings, it can help you regulate your emotions better. How do you explore feelings with your child in a fun way? One of the ways to explore this with your child is via reading a story. So why not head to your local library and check out one of the following feeling focused books: 

The Color Monster 

Big Feelings 

Lizzy’s Ups and Downs

Other strategies which are discussed include:

Make your own book with your own child together; using the framework, “A time I was sad, a time I was happy, a time I was mad, etc.” 

Draw together and make pictures using just 1 color at a weekend, on vacation or in a small group

How to pull all the strategies together in one activity: Read The Color Monster, Make Your Own Book, Focus on One Color 

Other podcast episodes that are related to feelings:

Three Playful Ways to Explore Feelings with kids

https://www.janinehalloran.com/podcast/calm-and-connected-episode-156

Feelings Check in Ideas at Home and School

https://www.janinehalloran.com/podcast/calm-and-connected-episode-90

Six Books about Feelings for Kids

https://www.janinehalloran.com/podcast/calm-and-connected-episode-66

How to Explore Feelings with Kids Who Won’t Talk

https://www.janinehalloran.com/podcast/calm-and-connected-episode-47

How to Use the Feelings Thermometer

https://www.janinehalloran.com/podcast/calm-and-connected-episode-30

And remember, do not forget about yourself, take a few minutes for you and have a little fun!

—

About The Host - Janine Halloran

Janine Halloran is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, an author, a speaker, an entrepreneur and a mom. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Janine has been working primarily with children, adolescents, and their families for over 20 years. She is the Founder of 'Coping Skills for Kids', where she creates products and resources to help kids learn to cope with their feelings in safe and healthy ways. Janine also founded 'Encourage Play’ which dedicated to helping kids learn and practice social skills in the most natural way - through play!

If you're interested in learning more about how to teach kids coping skills, download your free Coping Skills Toolkit:

https://copingskillsforkids.com/newsletter

The Coping Skills Hub has everything you need to teach kids coping skills, learn more at https://copingskillsforkids.com/hub

If you'd like to purchase Janine's products, including the Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Skills for Teens Workbook, Social Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Cue Cards, and more, visit https://store.copingskillsforkids.com or https://amazon.com/copingskillsforkids

Connect with Janine on Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janinehalloranlmhc

Instagram @janine_halloran and @copingskillsforkids

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JanineHalloranLMHC

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/encourageplay/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-halloran-43787b7b/

CALM AND CONNECTED - EPISODE 169

Every child needs 3 to 5 people to be part of their orbit to help shape their world and will have a significant influence on them. Whatever role you have, you could be that key person in a teenager’s life to discuss the more stressful moments in their lives. There are signs and symptoms we can look out for in our teenagers. Stress is a normal reaction for anybody in different situations. But what if these reactions are taking over our young people’s lives? 

In today’s episode:

The importance of relationships and connections

The negative effects disconnection can have 

Understanding our child stress baseline and the normal behaviours

How to recognize depression 

How stress can affect our body’s physical response as well as mental health 

What signs we should be looking for in our adolescence, if they last for longer than a 2-week period. 

Spending 1-1 time with our teenagers to develop the space to talk

How to not overreact to your teenager sharing something important and validate what they’re feeling

How Dr. Chinwé likes to rest and relax 

And remember, do not forget about yourself, take a few minutes for you and have a little fun!

About The Guest - Dr Chinwé Uwah Williams

Trauma therapist, Best-selling Author, and Speaker, Dr. Chinwé is an expert at simplifying the complexities of our human experience. She is a sought-after speaker trusted by corporate and ministry leaders, educators, and parents to deliver messages that inspire individuals and teams to better connect with the individuals they lead and support. From managing anxiety, despair, and burnout, to highlighting the benefits of equity and empathy-centered leadership, Dr. Chinwé helps individuals, teams, and organizations accomplish their goals through the power of connection.

An avid researcher and life-long student of wellness, Dr. Chinwé presents scientifically-sound information with the utmost professional care. She has spoken or facilitated workshops at several national and international gatherings and conferences. Dr. Chinwé is frequently invited to be an expert guest on blogs, podcasts and other media programs.

Dr. Chinwé offers tailored keynotes and workshops on different levels for different occasions. She offers real-life case examples that help audiences cultivate a greater depth of understanding and spark insight. Her messages are rooted in evidence and solution-based practices, but she always applies her own experience from the field (which brings boring research to life!). She blends research and inspiring stories with VERY practical tools that are immediately actionable!

Website: https://drchinwewilliams.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.chinwewilliams/

About The Host - Janine Halloran

Janine Halloran is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, an author, a speaker, an entrepreneur and a mom. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Janine has been working primarily with children, adolescents, and their families for over 20 years. She is the Founder of 'Coping Skills for Kids', where she creates products and resources to help kids learn to cope with their feelings in safe and healthy ways. Janine also founded 'Encourage Play’ which dedicated to helping kids learn and practice social skills in the most natural way - through play!

If you're interested in learning more about how to teach kids coping skills, download your free Coping Skills Toolkit:

https://copingskillsforkids.com/newsletter

The Coping Skills Hub has everything you need to teach kids coping skills, learn more at https://copingskillsforkids.com/hub

If you'd like to purchase Janine's products, including the Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Skills for Teens Workbook, Social Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Cue Cards, and more, visit https://store.copingskillsforkids.com or https://amazon.com/copingskillsforkids

Connect with Janine on Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janinehalloranlmhc

Instagram @janine_halloran and @copingskillsforkids

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JanineHalloranLMHC

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/encourageplay/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-halloran-43787b7b/