Emotions in Motion

Happy Mother's Day to all the incredible moms in our community!

Whether you're spending the day in celebration or simply soaking up a quiet moment, please know how much you're appreciated. The love, strength, and guidance you give truly shape the emotional roots of your children.

Last Sunday, I had the joy of hosting The Greatest Me Show at The Harmony Center in Pickering, Ontario—an inspiring collaboration with Sensei Carl Stedmond, four Master Teachers, and one Master Student in Training.

It was my very first time bringing Harmony Hare’s message outside of the classroom, and seeing the way the children lit up as they connected with their three voices—and the emotional reactions from the families witnessing it—confirmed just how needed this work is.

Just like martial arts teaches us to center our body before movement, emotional intelligence teaches us to center our mind before we react. Watching the kids learn how to recognize their inner voices and respond with courage, calm, and kindness reminded me just how powerful these early lessons can be.

It’s all connected to what we’re exploring this month—how to help kids name, navigate, and nurture their emotions with confidence.

Light the Way with Your Emotional TORCH

Just like lighthouses guide ships to safety, emotionally grounded parents help kids feel safe enough to grow. Here’s how to shine your light using the TORCH framework:

🔹 T – Trust

Kids regulate better when they feel secure. Build trust by following through on what you say, keeping routines consistent, and being a calm, predictable presence—even when emotions run high.

🔸 O – Opportunity

Instead of avoiding hard emotions, treat them as learning moments. When your child is upset, ask: “What is this feeling trying to teach us?”—then explore healthy ways to respond.

🔹 R – Respect

Model respectful self-talk. Instead of saying, “I’m so stupid!” when you make a mistake, try “Oops, I messed up—let’s fix it.” Your kids are always watching how you handle your own emotions.

🔸 C – Communication

Create space for honest conversation. Use daily moments—like drives or dinner—to ask open questions like “What color was your day?” to keep emotional check-ins easy and non-threatening.

🔹 H – Humanity

Remind them (and yourself) that being human means feeling it all—joy, sadness, frustration, excitement. Emotions aren’t problems to fix—they’re experiences to honor.

Owl About That Wisdom - May Wallpaper

This month, our feathered guide is the wise and wonderful owl—nature’s quiet thinker—here to remind us that slowing down and seeing clearly is a superpower.

Fun fact: Owls can turn their heads almost all the way around—up to 270 degrees! It’s their way of staying curious, calm, and aware, even in the dark. Pretty cool, right?

Just like owls, emotionally wise kids don’t rush into reactions—they pause, observe, and respond with clarity. That’s what emotional regulation is all about!

🦉💡 Tip: Download this month’s owl wallpaper as a gentle reminder to take a breath, tune in, and trust your inner wisdom—even when things feel a little wild.

Tool: Rock & Feather

When big emotions hit, kids often don’t have the words—but they do understand feelings.

That’s why this simple visual tool can be so powerful: Ask your child, “Does it feel like a rock or a feather?” A rock might feel heavy, stuck, or overwhelming. A feather might feel light, floaty, or gentle.

This question doesn’t just name the feeling—it gives them a way to hold it, examine it, and decide what they want to do with it.

💡 Try This: Next time your child is upset or unsure, offer them a quiet moment and ask, “Rock or feather?” Let them show you—and just be there with them, no fixing needed.

My favorite video shows this in the most heartwarming way—a mom helping her 4-year old son release big feelings with kindness and clarity.

Watch the moment here — I promise it’ll bring a smile to your heart. 💛

Before we wrap up, here’s a little something you might not know about me...

I live near the woods in Woodstock, Canada, and one of my favorite daily rituals is my walk-and-talk. Whether it’s with a friend or just with my thoughts, nature always knows how to meet me where I’m at.

This past Friday was National Public Gardens Day, and it’s a beautiful reminder that nurturing ourselves—like a garden—takes time, patience, and care.

So this week, take a walk. Invite your child. Let the trees hold space for whatever comes up. Because sometimes, the best way to regulate emotions is to simply move through them—together.

Until next time, keep tending to the garden within. 🌿💚