covid-19 parenting resources - english

As a parent, there has been a lot of adjusting to do. Sure, keeping everyone happy and occupied is quite a challenge, but here are some great parenting resources for COVID-19 that you can use to strengthen your family and make some long-lasting memories.

There’s no doubt that many people will face financial hardship during the Coronavirus situation, but help may be easier than you think! Although assistance may vary depending on where you live and what companies you use, the bottom line is that some of the financial anxiety of keeping utilities turned on can be mitigated by a simple phone call. Various utilities (water, gas, electric, cellular/fiber optics/internet providers) have new, or very flexible, generous payment options – minimum. Many say they will not disconnect service for set periods of time regardless of payment and are automatically reconnecting service to people that have been disconnected. Often, companies are willing to work with people through a variety of programs. It’s well worth your time to call and see what works best in your individual situation.

7 Expert Tips to Handle Difficult School Drop-offs

Day one of school came, and we were ready to rock. Excited to see friends, make new friends, and launch into a new adventure. But then we got to the front door, and our kindergartener lost it. She didn’t want to go, and the tears flowed.…
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How to Talk With Your Child About Tough Topics

Half of parenting is staying a step ahead of our kids. (The other half is stepping out of the way.) Where do you step when the tough topics come up with your kids? Sex, drugs, rock and roll?  If only it was that easy! Try sexual politics,…
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5 Ways Self-Determination Theory Can Help You Raise Independent Kids

Over the last 9 years, I’ve been constantly reminded that parenting is all about the balance between control and independence. During the early years (3-8), your child is figuring out who they are while you’re learning how to parent…
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25 Things Parents Say When It’s Time for Kids to Go “Back to School”

For many of us, it’s back-to-school time. Each time this year, we are bombarded with ads to help prepare us and our kiddos for school.  Here are 25 things parents say (to yourself or to your kids) when it’s time to go back to school. “It’s…
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How to Find a Good Counselor for Your Child

Imagine being an 8-year-old and dealing with all the stuff they are dealing with today. As a parent, you can see something’s just off with your child. Maybe your kid’s teacher, guidance counselor, or some other adult in their life has noticed…
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How To Find a Counselor for Your Teen

If your teen is struggling, you want to fix whatever's wrong and try to help. And maybe they need help, but chances are, they're going to talk to someone else before they talk to you. Right? Well, if they need to talk and they won't talk to…
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VIDEO PARENTING RESOURCES

PARENTING IN A WAY THAT BENEFITS YOUR WHOLE FAMILY

Not sure how to keep things “normal” for your kids during this time? Setup a routine, guide them to learn something new and helpful, and teach them how to be more aware of others and do things for the people who need it. FTF Facilitator Chris Ownby will give you creative ideas to put your parenting plans into action and benefit the whole family during the COVID-19 Outbreak.

SCREAM-FREE PARENTING (EVEN IN QUARANTINE)

Parenting is hard enough when you’re in a routine, let alone when everything is thrown out of whack and everyone is stuck in the same house together until who knows when! Join FTF President & CEO Julie Baumgardner and author & parenting expert Hal Runkel to hear some words of advice for any parent wishing they could be “Scream-Free.”

HOW TO NOT BLOW UP ON YOUR KIDS DURING QUARANTINE

Parents everywhere are feeling way overwhelmed and stressed right now. And oftentimes, that stress can lead to an explosion of frustration that comes out on your kids. So as a parent, how can you avoid blowing up on your kids? Reggie Madison, FTF Facilitator and father to 7 kids, has a few pieces of advice for you! Join him and FTF President and CEO Julie Baumgardner as they walk through lessons learned and wisdom to share.

ARE YOU SETTING A GOOD EXAMPLE OF SELF-CARE FOR YOUR FAMILY?

We all know that self-care is important. Getting good sleep, drinking enough water, eating nutritious foods is all pretty ingrained in our heads. But what about taking time to be by yourself? Or reading a book for fun? Or indulging in a hobby every once in a while? Join Reggie Madison and Chris Ownby as they talk through the importance, and the challenges, of setting a good self-care example for your family.

HOW DADS CAN CONNECT WITH THEIR DAUGHTERS DURING COVID-19

The eye rolling… The emotional rollercoasters… The miscommunications… Being a dad of daughters is not for wimps! Chris Ownby, FTF Facilitator and dad of 2 daughters, is here with some tips you can use to strengthen your bond with your daughter now, and after the quarantine is over!

INCREASING HAPPINESS IN YOUR HOME DURING COVID-19

Right now, families worldwide are feeling a whole lot of extra pressure. And with extra pressure comes stress and tension. But is there a way to bring happiness into your home, even during the COVID-19 outbreak? Join Reggie Madison and Chris Ownby, First Things First Facilitators, as they talk through some tips on how you can bring happiness to your family!

HELPING KIDS PROCESS FEAR AFTER STORMS

We are right in the middle of storm season, and with that can come a lot of stress, fear, and anxiety. With homes being damaged and lives interrupted, many children can be feeling worried and scared as well. As a parent, how can you help your child process these emotions while going through them yourself? Join Julie Baumgardner, FTF President and CEO, as she gives a few tips for handling storm anxiety for both adults and children.

WHEN YOUR KIDS ARE BORED DURING QUARANTINE

Have they watched everything on Netflix? Reached the bottom of TikTok? Read every book in your house and finished every puzzle? This quarantine has left many of us without the day-to-day distractions that we normally have, which has made us… pretty bored. But how can this “time off” be used for good? Join Gena Ellis and John Daum as they talk through the concept of boredom and how to combat it!

WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THEIR TEENS DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS

Angst is amplified. The tension is somehow thicker than ever. What’s really going on with teens while they’re dealing with the effects of COVID-19? FTF Facilitators John Daum and Sara Ham deal with teens on a daily basis through our RELATABLE program. In this video, they give parents an inside look into what teens may be experiencing emotionally and mentally, but not sharing.

HELPING KIDS PROCESS THEIR EMOTIONS DURING COVID-19

Your child may be acting out a little more, or maybe they’re more clingy than usual. Maybe their temperament is just a little off. We’re all affected by the COVID-19 crisis. In this video, FTF Program Director, Reggie Madison, and FTF CEO, Julie Baumgardner, share practical tips you can use to help your child process their emotions during this pandemic and beyond.

HOW TO MANAGE ANXIETY ABOUT NOT GETTING WORK DONE AT HOME

Working from home can be a challenge, especially with young children at home. How do you overcome the anxiety of not getting your work done and potentially underperforming?

3 WAYS TO BE MORE INTENTIONAL WITH YOUR FAMILY

If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a million times… BE MORE INTENTIONAL WITH YOUR KIDS AND YOUR SPOUSE! But, what does it actually look like to be intentional? Here are three practical ways we can be intentional with your family every day without having to add one more thing to your already hectic schedule.

MAKING SURE YOUR CHILD KNOWS YOU LOVE THEM

Is saying “I love you” really enough? Join John and Julie as they talk through how kids perceive love, how love can be shown in different ways, and how you can make sure your child knows you love them!

HELPING YOUR CHILD PROCESS WHAT THEY’RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS SUMMER

This summer looks a little different for many families. No summer camps, no sports, etc. Here’s how you can help your child process what they’re not going to get to do this year.

HOW TO TALK TO YOUR CHILD ABOUT RACE

Watch as Julie Baumgardner and Reggie Madison talk about the 9 keys to having great conversations with your children about race, from recognizing your own perspectives to being willing to learn with your kids.

WHY SECURE RELATIONSHIPS MATTER FOR CHILDREN

What if we could tell you the ONE thing that will help your child develop the skills they need to be able to face and succeed with challenges, failure, and struggles in life? In this video, Caroline and Reggie talk about the 5 ways secure relationships help children develop well and what you can do to grow a secure relationship with your child!

MY FAMILY HAS DIFFERENT OPINIONS ABOUT COVID-19 AND IT’S TEARING US APART

COVID-19 has seemed to turn a lot of things on its head. One of which might be your family! If your family can’t seem to find common ground over opinions about the pandemic, this video is for you. Join Reggie and Lauren as they talk through what you can to do keep your family from tearing apart!

HOW TO PARENT AN EXTREMELY SENSITIVE CHILD

Feel like your child is overly-sensitive? The tantrums, the crying, the whining… it can seem overwhelming as a parent! Join Tamara and Gena in this video for a few great tips on how you can know if your child is overly-sensitive and how you can be the best parent for them!

HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD THROUGH THE UNKNOWN

With the start of school right around the corner, there’s a lot of unknowns that you and your child are facing. So how can you as a parent help guide your child through them? Check out Chris and Gena’s conversation for some great tips on helping your child through the unknown!

HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD PROCESS THEIR EMOTIONS

Kid’s emotions can seem to be all over the place. One minute they’re giggling about the wind blowing their hair in the car, the next they’re screaming about how it blew hair into their eye. It can feel like you’re on a rollercoaster as a parent! So how can you help your child work through their emotions, especially when they’re feeling angry, upset, or overwhelmed?

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU CATCH YOUR TEEN LOOKING AT PORN

You know you are going to have to talk to your teen about porn, but you aren’t sure what you will say or how to have this conversation with your teen in a productive and healthy manner. This conversation is an excellent opportunity to develop a deeper relationship with your teen. You got this!

HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD MANAGE ANXIETY

Worries and fears are normal for kids, whether it’s being nervous about an upcoming test, a friendship, or feeling uncertainty over a move to a new house. These feelings typically work themselves out in a short amount of time, and life moves on. However, anxiety can become problematic when it persists and interferes with everyday life.

HOW TO BE A SUPPORTIVE PARENT

Research has shown that being a supportive parent has far-reaching benefits for your child. Being a supportive parent helps your child be better equipped to handle stressful situations, be able to handle their own emotions, be capable of regulating their behavior, and get along with others. Join Gena and Mitchell as they talk through specific ways you can be a more supportive parent!

WHAT TO DO WHEN GRANDPARENTS UNDERMINE YOUR PARENTING

What do you do when grandparents seem to want to undermine all the good things you’re trying to do with your parenting? The first thing to know is that you’re not alone. Join Julie and Chris as they talk through some great steps you can take!

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