The Child and Family Connection

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The Child and Family Connection The Child and Family Connection is a solutions-oriented group practice focused on strengthening the parent-child relationship.

We provide individual and family therapy to toddlers, children, adolescents and their caregivers with offices in Costa Mesa and Laguna Hills.

Mindful Monday: Listening Like a DetectiveFind a quiet spot and invite your child to close their eyes. For one minute, h...
10/12/2026

Mindful Monday: Listening Like a Detective

Find a quiet spot and invite your child to close their eyes. For one minute, have them play a “listening detective” and focus on the sounds around them. 👂🔎

Ask them to notice:
✨ Sounds that are close
✨ Sounds that are far away
✨ Loud sounds
✨ Quiet sounds
✨ Sounds they may not have noticed before

This simple activity helps children slow down, focus their attention, and practice being present. It also encourages them to notice details in their environment that they might normally overlook.

💬 Afterward, ask: “What was the most interesting sound you heard?”

World Mental Health Day is a reminder that mental health matters at every age - especially childhood.Children may not al...
10/10/2026

World Mental Health Day is a reminder that mental health matters at every age - especially childhood.

Children may not always have the words to explain how they’re feeling, but their emotions deserve to be heard, understood, and supported.
✨ Check in with your child.
✨ Make space for big feelings.
✨ Remind them it’s okay to ask for help.
✨ Celebrate emotional growth, not just accomplishments.

Let’s create a world where every child feels safe talking about their mental health. 💚

Sometimes children need a little extra time to find the words for what they’re feeling. ❌ Instead of: “Just tell me w...
10/07/2026

Sometimes children need a little extra time to find the words for what they’re feeling.

❌ Instead of: “Just tell me what’s wrong!”

💜 Try: “You don’t have to tell me right away. I’m here when you’re ready.”

Giving your child space can help them feel safe, supported, and more comfortable opening up.

Sometimes the best conversation starts by giving your child space and time to share at their own pace.

Looking for a simple mindfulness activity your child can practice almost anywhere? Try Five-Finger Breathing! 💙🖐️ Hold ...
10/05/2026

Looking for a simple mindfulness activity your child can practice almost anywhere?

Try Five-Finger Breathing! 💙

🖐️ Hold one hand out like a star. ⭐
☝️ Use the pointer finger of your other hand to slowly trace around each finger.

As you trace:
🌬️ Breathe in as you trace up.
💨 Breathe out as you trace down.

Continue until you’ve traced around your whole hand.

✨ That’s it! A simple breathing exercise to practice before school, at bedtime, during a transition, or anytime your child needs a moment to pause and reset.

Mindfulness doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, all it takes is a few slow breaths, and a moment to slow down.

“I think my child could benefit from therapy… but where do I even start?”Taking the first step toward therapy can feel o...
10/02/2026

“I think my child could benefit from therapy… but where do I even start?”

Taking the first step toward therapy can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it all out at once. Here’s a simple roadmap to help you get started:

1. Identify Your Concerns: Think about what you’ve been noticing - changes in mood, behavior, relationships, school, sleep, or anything else that has you concerned.

2. Find a Therapist: Look for a therapist who works with children and families and feels like a good fit for your child’s needs and personality.

3. Check Insurance & Costs: Ask about insurance coverage, copays, deductibles, private-pay rates, and payment options so you know what to expect.

4. Complete Intake Forms: You’ll typically provide information about your child’s history, current concerns, family, and goals for therapy.

5. Attend the First Appointment: The first session is an opportunity to get to know your therapist, talk about what’s been going on, and begin identifying ways therapy can help.

6. Start Building Skills - Together: Therapy is a team effort. Your child, family, and therapist can work together to build coping skills, strengthen relationships, and work toward meaningful goals.

You don’t need to wait until things feel “bad enough” to reach out. If you’re wondering whether therapy could help, that’s reason enough to start the conversation. 💙

Sometimes our bodies need to move before they can feel calm. Try this simple reset with your child:✨ Shake your hands, a...
09/30/2026

Sometimes our bodies need to move before they can feel calm.

Try this simple reset with your child:
✨ Shake your hands, arms, legs, and whole body for 10 seconds.
✨ Then freeze like a statue.
✨ Take one slow, deep breath

💬 Ask: “Do you feel different after moving your body?”

A little movement can be a simple way to help children (and adults) reconnect with their bodies and practice calming down.

The Child and Family Connection IS NOW ENROLLING kids for new SOCIAL SKILLS GROUPS starting in October.Topics include:Fr...
09/30/2026

The Child and Family Connection IS NOW ENROLLING kids for new SOCIAL SKILLS GROUPS starting in October.

Topics include:
Friendship – Making & Keeping Friends
Sharing & Taking Turns
Listening & Following Directions
Managing Emotions & Utilizing Positivity
Having Good Manners
Kindness & Empathy
Teamwork & Cooperation

Ages 9-11: Tuesdays at 5 p.m. in Costa Mesa
Ages 5-8: Fridays (Location & Time TBD)

Groups will run for 3 weeks in October and 3 weeks in November.

To enroll or for more information about social skills groups:
Contact Grace Mosier, APCC
[email protected]

Parents sometimes worry they’ll say the “wrong” thing - but you don’t need to have everything figured out before startin...
09/25/2026

Parents sometimes worry they’ll say the “wrong” thing - but you don’t need to have everything figured out before starting therapy.

Start with what you’ve noticed, when it began, what seems to make things better or worse, and what concerns you most. Even small details can help your child’s therapist understand the bigger picture.

Before your appointment, consider writing down:
• What concerns you most
• When you first noticed it
• What seems to trigger it
• What has helped
• What you hope will change

There’s no perfect way to prepare. Just come as you are - your observations and concerns are an important part of your child’s care. 💛

Children may resist limits they don’t understand. When possible, offering a simple explanation can help them understand ...
09/23/2026

Children may resist limits they don’t understand. When possible, offering a simple explanation can help them understand the boundary while still knowing that the boundary remains.

❌ Instead of: “Because I said so.”

💛 Try: “We’re leaving the park because it’s getting dark and we need to get home.”

A clear, simple explanation can help children feel respected, supported, and more prepared to follow through - even when the answer is still “no.”

✨ Parent Reminder: You can be both kind and firm. Setting a boundary doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice connection.

Address

151 Kalmus Drive, E250
Costa Mesa, CA
92626

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