EDITED TO ADD: I’m pleased to see that people on Pinterest are finding this post, as I have found the Mind Jar to be a great parenting tool. After reading comments here and on Pinterest with worries about children throwing glass jars full of glitter across the room in anger, I thought I should add this note. I only use the Mind Jar to get through moments of fear or anxiousness with my kids. If they are worried about school, or a family member they know is ill, or strife with a friend. I’m usually sitting with them and we’ll talk it out, as we both enjoy the glitter show. It never occurred to me to hand them a glass jar full of liquid and glitter while they were in the throes of a tantrum. Tantrums and are dealt with much differently. Although, I can say that a lot of tantrums stem from fears and worry, so many times while we’re working through that moment we all end up giving the jar a good shake. Sometimes, me more than them!
We’re two weeks into Kindergarten and Pix is finding ways to cope with her anxiety about school. Doesn’t that sound so clinical and serious? I guess all these years of dealing with mental health has led me to this. Let’s lighten the mood a little shall we? Pix is about two weeks into Kindergarten and she is starting to dig her class. Today was the first day that there were absolutely no tears. I caught a few glimpses of the “deer in the headlights” and “I think I’m gonna hurl” look, but Pix is living up to her old nickname of Mighty Mite. She is gathering up her bravery and taking it with her to school.
Since this obviously isn’t an issue that needs medication we’re teaching Pix how to find ways to calm herself. I even made Pix a Mind Jar (found on Pinterest, from this site) to help her relax when she’s feeling anxious about school. This gets a lot of use on Sunday nights and in the morning.
What is a mind jar? It’s a jar full or glitter glue, glitter and water. Swirl it around and relax while you watch the glitter fall to the bottom of the jar.
Pix isn’t the only fan of this jar. It helps me to calm down Sprite when she’s overly amped, which happens often.
Look at her state of calm. No small feat when it comes to Sprite. You know what I find most calming about this jar? THE GLITTER IS CONTAINED. It doesn’t get any better than that.
How to make: Just mix 1 tablespoon of glitter glue, per 1 cup of hot water, add extra glitter (I used an extra small tub).
A note: The first Mind Jar I made was red and Pix didn’t like it. She told me that red was “an angry color” and then requested a blue Mind Jar “because blue is like the happy ocean”.
