in the middle
Are you in the middle of a difficult time? You might feel in the middle when you struggle getting along with a team member or feel unappreciated.
When you are in the middle of stress, you become easily distracted and find it difficult to manage emotions. What can you do to find your internal strength, stability, and hope? How can you reboot to recognize your GOOD STUFF in the middle?
Kids in the middle of divorce often crave consistency, stability, and support. In the counseling office, the Oreo Cookie Group meets weekly to twist open and eat a cookie together to help them understand that
They are the good stuff IN THE MIDDLE of divorce.
After the treat, students of all ages beg to play the Powerful You Cookie Game where they bond, laugh, and talk to others in the group. Sometimes they use the cards to play Concentration, and other times they play Go Fish. After connecting with friends, children walk away with these basic concepts (and more):
Life is like a pickle. It is full of sweet feelings and sour feelings. All feelings are ok.
The 3 C’s - You didn’t CAUSE it. You can’t CONTROL it. You can learn to COPE.
All families are different.
When you feel lonely, you can draw, read, find a friend, exercise, or help someone.
Never hold down feelings because you might POP later.
Pause instead of react.
YOU are the good stuff IN THE MIDDLE OF CHANGE.
YOU will slowly adjust to change.
As a celebration at the end of the six week group time, we celebrate with a pickle party!
Join me in a 7-minute stretch.
Powerful You! In The Middle Cookie Game is a fun memory-style matching game designed to help children understand an important message:
Kids are the good stuff in the middle of divorce.
Created for ages 5+ and playable with 2–6 players, this engaging game is played like Concentration while gently opening the door to emotional expression and healing conversations.
Children match:
Feeling words
Coping strategies
Empowering phrases
As they play, they learn to identify emotions, talk about difficult changes, and build resilience.
“Life is like a pickle. Sometimes it’s sweet & sometimes it’s sour.” — Patricia Kienzle
This game helps children recognize “sour pickle” feelings while discovering healthy ways to cope and grow stronger.
Perfect for:
School counselors
Teachers
Parents
Therapists
Small groups
Family support settings
Benefits:
Encourages communication
Builds emotional awareness
Supports children through divorce transitions
Makes hard conversations easier through play
Strengthens confidence and connection
Why Families Love It
Easy to learn, meaningful to play, and created with heart, this game reminds every child:
You are the good stuff in the middle.
Powerful You is a grab-and-go counseling resource designed to make group and classroom counseling simple, meaningful, and effective. Packed with 26 short, easy-to-use themed lessons, this book helps counselors, educators, and support staff guide students through important life topics with confidence and care.
Each lesson begins with a true story that reflects real challenges children face, followed by engaging turn-and-talk prompts that encourage student reflection, discussion, and connection. Inspiring quotes, hands-on activities, and practical tips are also included for optional lesson extensions.
Created by a school counselor with more than 35 years of experience listening to and supporting children, these lessons align with ASCA National Standards and explore sensitive school and home issues through a child’s perspective. Powerful You gives adults ready-to-use tools to build emotional awareness, resilience, communication skills, and confidence in students.
To bring each lesson to life, companion Powerful You laminated role-playing cards and colorful classroom signs are also available separately. These engaging tools correspond with every lesson and provide an interactive way for students to practice skills, deepen understanding, and reinforce key concepts.
May you understand that YOU are the good stuff in the middle of your family and school. You make a difference! You do your best each day to help children!!