I Found My Why, My What, and My How 10.21.24

After a refreshing three-week break, I’m back and ready to jump into some exciting new developments! During my time away, I took a much-needed breather, spent quality time with family, and reflected on so much! I have been busy with planning my wedding and also with my sons baseball season which has been nothing short of an emotional rollercoaster, not just for me but for the whole team of 6- and 7-year-old boys. My 7-year-old son returned to the field, and his team has done amazingly well, losing only one game so far. With just one game left, the pressure and excitement are palpable!

What’s been most interesting is watching how emotionally invested these kids are. The younger they are, the more likely they are to cry when they strike out or make an error. It’s pretty serious at times, and while it can be tough to watch, it’s also incredibly rewarding to see them care so much and work so hard.

My son, being one of the older kids on the team that plays pitcher or catcher, hadn’t shown much emotion like that until recently. After getting out during one of the games, he burst into tears. It was the first time I had seen him react this way. The following day, I gently asked him how he felt and why he cried. His response? “I just couldn’t help it.”

Hearing that really hit home for me. I realized just how overwhelming emotions can be at this age, and how important it is to help kids navigate them. That moment is what led me to get the free trial of the mightier app! Yall, I am stoked!!

I also had the chance to reflect on my “why” for my disruptive innovation project: using the Mightier app as a tool to help children, particularly those on the autism spectrum, manage their emotions. Writing about this really brought into focus why I’m so passionate about this project. I created a why for my innovation. You should view it here! 

This comes down to wanting to empower kids to take control of their emotions in a way that’s accessible and fun. Emotional regulation is such a critical skill, and yet it’s often overlooked in traditional learning environments. There is a variety of situations our children face that cause emotions to arise! With the Mightier app, we can use biofeedback to learn how to calm ourselves, making emotional regulation something to practice and improve over time. I am excited for my son and myself to use this!!

The more I am learning about growth mindset from Carol Dweck, the more I realize that this project is a perfect fit. It’s all about helping kids realize that they can improve, even in areas as difficult as handling big emotions. Big feels. That’s my “why” giving children the tools they need to develop resilience and emotional strength, which will serve them for life. Not just students, but MY child too.

I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me, and I am excited to share with you!

Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House.