Are you familiar with the terms “mindfulness” and/or “emotional intelligence?”
When I was a teenager, I heard about the term “mindfulness,” only because I was fascinated by the world around me – both near and far – when I researched Buddhism. I wasn’t looking to change religions, I was just interested in learning more about the religion and culture behind it.
I took a course on teaching mindfulness to children a few years back. I love the concept, I just haven’t had the chance to utilize it at work. I want to, because sometimes things can get so chaotic, but it’s easier said than done. Sadly, many of the ideas I was taught I honestly don’t remember anymore. I’d have to dig up my notes and see if I can learn about them all over again.
I first learned about the term “emotional intelligence” a few years ago, around the time the pandemic was still keeping children out of school. I actually worked with children attending a hybrid model (some times/days in-person at school, the rest of the days/times via Zoom). Teachers were doing lessons about emotions – how to communicate them and how to deal with them. I found it to be an interesting idea. I don’t recall anything like that when I was a child, or even a teenagers. Perhaps some adults could have benefitted from this when they were children.
The Australian brand (new to the United States) Mindful & Co Kids understands this and wants to assist parents raise resilient, kind, and compassionate children with products that help to soothe children’s emotions while encouraging them to take a mindful moment daily.
Mindful & Co is a trusted brand created by a child psychotherapist that parents and caregivers feel good about giving to kids. The brand offers such products as weighted stuffed animals, yoga cards, games, and more.
Founder and creator Jacqueline Yeats developed the brand using her extensive background in yoga and psychology and her experience dealing with postpartum depression.
The brand was kind enough to send me one of their weighted stuffed animals to check out in person.
Weighted toys are beneficial because they can;
- Promote calmness
- Encourage focus
- Boost mood
- Fight back against stress
- Support autism symptoms
- Soothe feelings of panic and improves sleep
- Support mental clarity and reduces inflammation using cold therapy
- Encourage healing and calms painful muscles
I received to review their plush “Charlie” dog. Charlie reminds me of a Labrador Retriever.
I’ll be honest, I have not been myself the past couple of months. Back on May 23rd (2023), our cat Bella was having difficulty breathing. As my husband and I were rushing her to the vet, she had a heart attack right there on my lap. I tried desperately to revive her, but with no luck. She was already gone by the time we made it to the vet.
We had Bella since she was one day old. We took her and her sister in to foster for our local animal shelter. Bella’s entire body fit in my hand. She was the runt of the litter (they were found tossed in a dumpster. People can be such monsters!). Sadly, Bella’s sister had to be put to sleep at three weeks old due to a lung disease. That made me even more determined to see Bella survive and thrive, which she did. We officially adopted her when she was three months old. She was going to turn twelve years old on June 5th.
Bella was literally our baby. All she knew was us too. I think that is why her death hit much harder than my other furry family members. It’s not that I didn’t love them all (I DID!), but Bella was different because we’ve adopted all our other cats at three months old up to 4-5 years old. Bella we had since she was a day old.
Bella was also THE MOST AFFECTIONATE CAT I have ever met. She loved us, and showed it every day. It’s her head butts, hugs, and face nuzzling that I miss the most. None of our other cats even come close to doing that.
Needless to say I have been rather depressed lately. I know some people might find that silly, but if you are an animal lover, and you’ve lost a beloved pet, I’m sure you can relate to how I’ve been feeling.
The weighted plush “Charlie” I received from Mindful & Co has actually been helpful for ME – and I’m an adult. I find myself hugging it when I am sitting on the cough watching television or reading. The weight of it reminds me of how it felt to have Bella on my lap (Bella was a huge cat – she weighed seventeen pounds). I know it’s NOT Bella, but I find the feeling of having something in my arms and lap that feels more substation Al than a typical plush toy soothing. It’s almost like she’s still there in a strange way.
I will admit that I have slept with “Charlie” too. I also find that to be soothing and comforting.
The toy it’s self is super cute and very well made. Normally when I receive a plush toy or doll I gently tug here and there to see if I find any loose pieces or stitching. I haven’t found anything like that with this toy. It’s a great, quality made product.
When I say he’s weighted, I don’t want you to get the impression that he’s heavy. He’s not. He’s made for children ages 3+ and weighs around 3 1/2 pounds.
As the name implies, Mindful & Co Kids is about putting our kids’ mental health at the forefront, giving them their tools to self-soothe, developing a daily practice, and acknowledging it’s okay sometimes not to feel okay. When a cuddly buddy like a weighted plush “friend” by your side, it helps them feel much better without saying a word.
Mindful & Co has other weighted plush toys – an octopus (“Ollie”) and a flamingo (“Francesca”).
If you are interested in checking out the weighted plush toys, or other products from the brand that promote mindfulness and social intelligence, visit the brand at MindfulandCoKids.com. You can also find the brand on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram. Those links are found on the top left of the brand’s website.
You can purchase products from Mindful & Co Kids on Anthropologie and Amazon. You can also purchase directly from the brand’s website.
Do you have a child, teen or adult who could benefit from a weighted plush? Feel free to comment and share your thoughts.
Kimberly
*I received a free product sample in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.