I can't believe we're still here! How are we still in this?
How to Make This Crazy School Year Simple & Fun, and Actually Bring You Closer To Your Children
But what are you supposed to be doing with your kids?
- You're stuck inside.
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There are no more playdates or time with friends.
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No more activities.
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You've done ALL THE CRAFTS.
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They're bored and frustrated.
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You're overwhelmed.
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No one is getting along.
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This is not how you wanted the school-year to end.
What are you supposed to do with your kids?.
- You were hoping a new school year would be a return to normal.
- It's starting to sink in that this is becoming the new normal (Nooo!!!).
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You dread being tied to a computer for even more hours.
- The kids miss their friends.
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They're bored and frustrated, and you don't want them to just have more screen time.
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You're wondering if they're actually learning anything.
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You're overwhelmed trying to juggle ALL THE THINGS.
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No one is getting along.
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This is NOT how you wanted the school-year to start.
Do you have a sinking feeling that everything is going wrong? That a return to "normal life" feels impossible?
No matter how much you try to keep your children entertained, any sense of calm and peace may seem elusive.
This is not how you wanted life to be at this point. You start off each day promising it will go better than the last, only to go to bed once again full of guilt and resentment.
Your internal sense of calm has short-circuited, and you can’t give the peace you want to your family when you don't have it yourself.
But how do you take care of their mental health (Without electronics)?
Homeschooled children are trained into a regular homeschooling schedule. Simply taking your traditionally educated children and shifting to a home-based education paradigm is definitely not going to be easy. Of course the electronics are helpful for some of the time, but should you be tied to them?
EVEn if you've homeschooled before, we've never been in this kind of situation.
Quarantine and isolation from peers leads to boredom, frustration, and restlessness. You know you want to do more for your kids, but you're feeling overwhelmed yourself. Do you hide your frustration? Do you take it out on them? What about the anxiety you are feeling from everything in the world seeming upside down? How do you give your kids what they need?
There Still doesn't seem to be enough time!
Between operating your household in the midst of a global crisis, managing the major shifts most couples have had to face with changing work and home life dynamics, and taking care of the essentials like food, money, and (is there even time for it??) self-care, how are you supposed to devote the time necessary to radically shift the way you are taking care of your kids?!
A week or two into quarantine and this can definitely be overwhelming.
No matter how much you try to keep your children entertained, any sense of calm and peace may seem elusive.
You have to get it all done, but nothing is going the way that you had hoped, and you start each day promising it will go better than the last, only to go to bed once again full of guilt.
Your internal sense of calm has short-circuited, and you can’t give the peace you want to your family when you don't have it yourself.
BUT HOW DO YOU GET THEM TO CALM DOWN (WITHOUT ELECTRONICS)?
Homeschooled children are trained into a regular homeschooling schedule. Simply taking your traditionally educated children and shifting to a home-based education paradigm is definitely not going to be easy. Of course the electronics are helpful for some of the time, but what about the other times?
EVEN IF YOU'VE HOMESCHOOLED BEFORE, WE'VE NEVER BEEN IN THIS KIND OF SITUATION.
Quarantine and isolation leads to boredom, frustration, and restlessness. You know you want to do more for them, but something's not connecting. Do you hide your frustration? Do you take it out on them? What about the anxiety you are feeling from everything in the world being in complete shutdown? How do you give your kids what they need?
THERE STILL DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ENOUGH TIME!
Between operating your household in the midst of a global crisis, managing the shifting dynamics that most couples have to face with changing work and home life, and taking care of the essentials like food, money, and (is there time for it??) self-care, how are you supposed to devote the time necessary to radically shift the way you are taking care of your kids?!
I want to give back any way I can, and so I decided to offer something that we've never offered to individuals before...
...a solution, that we've researched, implemented and have received unwavering positive feedback on from school systems around the country.
We are going to make this available to everyone.
I'm Dr. Greg Bottaro.
(And yes, that's My family in These pictures.)
I first started teaching Catholic Mindfulness in 2014. It quickly grew into an online class, a book published by Matthew Kelly, and a whole new trajectory for my professional career.
So many parents took the course and asked me to make something for their children.
My wife also agreed since we used these practices and principles at home with our kids. First we wrote a children's book (Sitting Like A Saint), and then with the help of CatholicPsych's child psychology expert Teresa Violette, we created Catholic Mindfulness for Students, a full K-12 Curriculum to teach Catholic Mindfulness in schools.
I'm Dr. Greg Bottaro.
(And yes my kids are in most of these pictures.)
I first started teaching Catholic Mindfulness in 2014. It quickly grew into an online class, a book published by Matthew Kelly, and a whole new trajectory for my professional career.
So many parents took the course and asked me to make something for their children.
My wife also agreed since we used these practices and principles at home with our kids. First we wrote a children's book (Sitting Like A Saint), and then with the help of my resident child psychology expert Teresa Violette, we created The Mindful Catholic Classroom, a full K-12 Curriculum to teach Catholic Mindfulness in schools.
What If I told You That By Combining the Science From Developmental Psychology With the Truths From Our Faith About How God Made Us, You Could Spend Just 20 Minutes A Day And Totally Re-Wire Their Brains?
ADD SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL TRAINING TO YOUR HOME-SCHOOL PLAN
All this is actually possible. Catholic teachers have already been experiencing this kind of success
• Misbehaving decreases.
• Attention increases.
• Prayer increases.
• Respect increases.
• Self-Awareness increases.
• Parent/Child connection grows.
All For Just 20 Minutes Per Day ... Even Just 2 or 3 Times Per Week!
Even though we're supposed to be socially distancing, You don't have to do this alone.
We're actually all in this together.
Here's what you'll learn to easily teach your children.
metacognition
Self-Awareness helps the student gain objectivity around thoughts and experiences rather than getting swept up by them, by strengthening the mind’s ability to witness the mind, body, heart, and environment. This will give your child greater impulse control.
self-compassion
elf-compassion goes hand-in-hand with empathy. Learning to love and understand oneself increases our capacity to love and understand others. Within the Mindfulness program, there are classes which reinforce the goodness of the person and show the way to befriending, forgiving, and showing kindness toward the self. Your child will feel better about him or herself and others.
stress reduction
When students become mindfully aware of their stress response system being activated, they learn how to turn it off to regain a state of relaxation. Mindfulness is the manual override switch to heightened stress and anxiety. Your child will learn how to be calm in the midst of any storm.
cognitive flexability
Mindfulness improves intentionality and
strength of the decision-making process. It decreases impulsivity by creating a psychological pause which considers how to respond rather than react. This will help give students a greater sense of ownership of their decisions, increasing their freedom to choose and awareness of consequences. Your child will make better decisions.
focused attention
Frequent use of the proper neural network responsible for focused attention will yield greater attention capacity, and therefore greater receptivity to learn and stay on task. This will also improve the learning environment as a whole, which means less time (trying to) correct poor behavior.
Gratitude
Gratitude focuses attention on the good possessed and experienced by the individual and is thus a natural product of mindfulness. Gratitude creates the cognitive flexibility to reframe the negative events in our life by finding something positive to focus attention on. Gratitude is the key to happiness. You're giving your child this key.
These are just a few of the amazing benefits your children will experience through our program.
Additionally, your child will increase functioning in:
- Executive Functioning: Learning how to make good decisions!
- Emotional Self-Regulation: Lesson the overwhelming feelings and find words for self-expression.
- Empathy: Find the strength to enter into another person's experience.
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Resilience: Get through the hard times with an assurance built on real security.
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Contentment: Find the true meaning of purpose in this life and discover true happiness.
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Open-Mindedness: Letting go of defensiveness to explore different ways of thinking about things.
Catholic Mindfulness for Students - HOME EDITION
"The young students I deal with in our freshmen class have minds that seem to work differently than students in the past. Catholic mindfulness has become the new pedagogy that helps me to reach them, connect with them and enables affective and effective learning."
~ Dorrie Donahue, Director of Mission Integration, Oakland Catholic High School
I'll give you the step by step directions for what to do with just 20 minutes per day that will radically change you and your children's life.
These 20 minutes are so powerful for your child's brain, your relationships, and their social-emotional functioning that this will literally change everything.
Here's the Welcome Video from inside the Program.
Scroll down for samples of the training and curriculum manual.
What's included
educator level training
Learn from our expert team the same training we provides teachers and admins.
12 Weeks of Lesson plans
There's no chance you'll run out of ideas, lesson plans, and exercises with what we provide.
specific age-level training manual
Specific developmental considerations are provided for working with any age group.
age-appropriate group activities
If you have more than one child or want to participate together as a family, we've got you covered.
age-appropriate exercises
The individual exercises to learn the lessons cater to the specific needs of your child.
Community Support
Access a group forum where you can meet other parents and receive help from our team.
EASILY CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE OF CALM IN YOUR HOME, WHILE CONNECTING TO YOUR OWN PEACE, AND GROUNDING YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY ON YOUR FAITH IN GOD.
"I worried this would be one more program to add to my overwhelming list, but quickly realized it’s the simple key that made everything else easier."
~ Jeannette Lewis
Here are a few things to remember about your Time with kids at home :
1. Homeschooling work is not meant to be the same as "at schooling" work. There's a fundamental shift that happens when a parent is responsible for more at home. Taking work from school to do at home is not how it's meant to be.
2. Whether at home or in school, ALL CHILDREN need their social-emotional needs met. Many educators are missing this point, but you don't have to.
3. Catholic Mindfulness for Students is the only program of its kind that teaches children how to understand and develop the full range of their personality, biologically, emotionally, and spiritually.
THIS OFFER IS COMING FROM A sincere DESIRE TO HELP.
THERE ARE NO STRINGS ATTACHED.
IF YOU DON'T FIND THIS CURRICULUM IS HELPFUL FOR YOU,
I'LL GLADLY REFUND YOUR PURCHASE.
We've had so much positive feedback from the effect of this program in the classroom, even when teaching a large group of students, that I have no doubt you will find even more success in your own home.
If there's something about it that doesn't work for you, however, I really mean it - no questions asked. Just shoot us an email and we'll refund you immediately.
I'm adding all of this in for you as well.
1. All 12 Curriculums
Typically we sell Catholic Mindfulness for Students to school systems in grade-sets (Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, or 9-12). We don't want to limit what might be helpful for you, so we're simply giving everyone access to everything. You'll be able to take the lessons, exercises, and journal prompts from the other grade-sets to see what fits perfectly for you and your family.
2. Seasonal exercises
We produce themed exercises for every liturgical and calendar season. We are including our updated series of exercises here, (normally only available with our $97/month subscription), totally free, along with the upcoming Advent Exercises. New exercises will be added as the seasons change.
3. Our New private facebook group
Normally part of our $99/month membership, you'll receive access to this brand new Facebook group moderated by the co-creators of Catholic Mindfulness for Students, Dr. Greg Bottaro & Teresa Violette and joined by Barbra Bottaro (co-author of Sitting Like a Saint and Dr. Greg's wife). Providing encouragement, support, and answers to all your questions, this group will be your access to new ideas and new exercises for all things related to Catholic Mindfulness for Students!
4. One year of free assessment uses
This social-emotional assessment tool was created for use by school systems to gauge students strengths and areas of needed improvement. Schools pay a fee each time they utilize this test, but we want to offer parents unlimited use for a year!
Access to this tool will allow you to track the progress of your child as they move through this program. Re-testing after 3-6 months, you will get to see exactly how the program is helping your child grow in each of the 12 domains measured.
5. Exercises for parents
Let's face it, we all need some help right now - not just the kids. Enjoy the Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat, normally $127, so that you can grow in your own peace and emotional management. You can't give what you don't have, so get what you need here.
6. Concierge support with developers
Dr. Greg and Teresa will be available to you to answer questions and help with application of the principles of this program with your children. This bonus also includes access to the mindfulness workshops for children produced by Dr. Greg and Teresa as a supplement to the program.
Full School Curriculum
Including:
- 4 Grade-Sets: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 Grades. (Normally $1297 PER GRADESET!)
- Teacher Training Videos
- Teacher Training Manual
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Age-Appropriate Exercises, Activities, and Journal Prompts
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Expert and Community Support
-
BONUS Advent and other Seasonal Exercises Forthcoming
BONUS
Catholic Mindfulness
virtual retreat
Learn the essentials about Catholic Mindfulness.
- What it is
-
What it's not
-
Why it's Catholic
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How it helps us to be healthy
-
Why we need it now more than ever
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How it integrates with Abandonment to Divine Providence
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Simple and Easy, Daily 5 minute videos to learn how to best help your kids
BONUS
online support and community
Including:
- Private Facebook Group
-
Concierge Support from Dr. Greg and Teresa Violette
-
Learn from Teachers Around the Country how to Implement with Kids
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Grow in Your Own Practice of Catholic Mindfulness with Supportive Parents
- Access to Bonus Exercises Released Early!
-
+ Many More Hidden Benefits!
Plus Don't Forget!! Our Brand New Social-Emotional-Spiritual Assessment: Unlimited Uses for 1 Full Year!
Instead of wondering how your son or daughter is "really doing," find out your child's score in each of the 12 categories of social-emotional functioning - quickly and easily!
Total Value = ($5388)
Today's Price = $97
This is exactly what we need. The issues coming up for our students today are unlike anything we've ever seen before. Our kids have struggles with anxiety, depression, and behavior issues that are unprecedented at these levels. We need a solution that works, while taking into account the whole person. Catholic Mindfulness in the classroom provides the solution... And it's been great for our teachers!
- Daniel Hodes, President, Cardinal Spellman High school
“This is a world-class product. There have been too many Buddhist-based mindfulness initiatives out there, so it's about time we have a Catholic alternative.”
- Rebecca dobson, administrator, St. Therese School
“I've been using these activities with my kids at home and it's absolutely amazing to me how effective they are. I didn't think this would hold their attention. It's helping them and it's helping me. Thank you Dr. Greg!”
- jeremy wells, Broker, Parent
Some of you have asked for a sample of some of the training- here it is!
Lesson 1 from Teresa's Teacher Training
And here's a sample of the 6-8 Grade manuals -
(Each curriculum contains similar material in age-appropriate form)
This is exactly what we need. The issues coming up for our students today are unlike anything we've ever seen before. Our kids have struggles with anxiety, depression, and behavior issues that are unprecedented at these levels. We need a solution that works, while taking into account the whole person. Catholic Mindfulness in the classroom provides the solution... And it's been great for our teachers!
- Daniel Hodes, President, Cardinal Spellman High School
“This is a world-class product. There have been too many Buddhist-based mindfulness initiatives out there, so it's about time we have a Catholic alternative.”
- Rebecca Dobson, Administrator, St. Therese School
“I've been using these activities with my kids at home and it's absolutely amazing to me how effective they are. I didn't think this would hold their attention. It's helping them and it's helping me. Thank you Dr. Greg!”
- Jeremy wells, broker, parent
CLASSROOM TRANSFORMATIONS
CAN BE YOUR
HOME TRANSFORMATIONS.
when focus and attention go up, behavioral difficulties go down. boredom disappears. Enjoyment of learning goes up. it gets fun.
Full School Curriculum
Including:
- 4 Grade-Sets: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 Grades. (Normally $1297 PER GRADESET!)
- Teacher Training Videos
- Teacher Training Manual
-
Age-Appropriate Exercises, Activities, and Journal Prompts
-
Expert and Community Support
-
BONUS Advent and other Seasonal Exercises Forthcoming
BONUS
Catholic Mindfulness
virtual retreat
Learn the essentials about Catholic Mindfulness.
- What it is
-
What it's not
-
Why it's Catholic
-
How it helps us to be healthy
-
Why we need it now more than ever
-
How it integrates with Abandonment to Divine Providence
-
Simple and Easy, Daily 5 minute videos to learn how to best help your kids
BONUS
online support and community
Including:
- Private Facebook Group
-
Concierge Support from Dr. Greg and Teresa Violette
-
Learn from Teachers Around the Country how to Implement with Kids
-
Grow in Your Own Practice of Catholic Mindfulness with Supportive Parents
- Access to Bonus Exercises Released Early!
-
+ Many More Hidden Benefits!
Plus Don't Forget!! Our Brand New Social-Emotional-Spiritual Assessment: Unlimited Uses for 1 Full Year!
Instead of wondering how your son or daughter is "really doing," find out your child's score in each of the 12 categories of social-emotional functioning - quickly and easily!
Total Value = ($5388)
Today's Price = $97
I know it sounds crazy. We were marketing this to whole school systems, so we were selling it for over $5000 per school. That price came with a license that schools could use for as many students as they had. You can see how the business model is totally different. We'd have to make one "sale" but really would be selling it to as many students as were in the school. This is the first way I came up with to be able to help families in the midst of this crazy crisis we are going through. It means we have to work a lot harder to make back any of the money we spent producing this program, but in the end it's really only about the Glory of God. If you like it though, please share this sign up page with your friends! We really appreciate it.
You can fit this into your schedule with as little or as much time as you'd like. There's a wide range of exercises and activities to fit any schedule. There are easy and simple exercises, and there is plenty of material so you will never run out.
With the full K-12 Curriculum, we have lessons, exercises, and activities that are appropriate for every age group. However, all the lessons follow the same pedagogy and trajectory - they mirror each other - so you can actually teach all your kids at the same time. When it comes to practice time, you can use developmentally appropriate exercises for each child.
With the full K-12 Curriculum, we have lessons, exercises, and activities that are appropriate for every age group. You can pick and choose what will work for them.
It's really built to fit into your schedule however you want to use it. If you need more routine, this will help you make it. If you don't have much more space in your schedule, these lessons and exercises will fit wherever you can find some time. If you are really bad at routine, this program is versatile.
Yes, really. No further commitments.
Yes. Yours as long as you want it.
don't let this stupid virus get the last word. we trust god, we place ourselves in submission to his divine will. we know there must be some good that can come from all this. let me help you take care of the human formation stuff that was just thrown in your lap. when this is all over, i think we are going to see there was a lot god wanted to show us.
Full School Curriculum
Including:
- 4 Grade-Sets: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 Grades. (Normally $1297 PER GRADESET!)
- Teacher Training Videos
- Teacher Training Manual
-
Age-Appropriate Exercises, Activities, and Journal Prompts
-
Expert and Community Support
-
BONUS Advent and other Seasonal Exercises Forthcoming
BONUS
Catholic Mindfulness
virtual retreat
Learn the essentials about Catholic Mindfulness.
- What it is
-
What it's not
-
Why it's Catholic
-
How it helps us to be healthy
-
Why we need it now more than ever
-
How it integrates with Abandonment to Divine Providence
-
Simple and Easy, Daily 5 minute videos to learn how to best help your kids
BONUS
online support and community
Including:
Plus Don't Forget!! Our Brand New Social-Emotional-Spiritual Assessment: Unlimited Uses for 1 Full Year!
Instead of wondering how your son or daughter is "really doing," find out your child's score in each of the 12 categories of social-emotional functioning - quickly and easily!
Total Value = ($5388)
Today's Price = $97
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