December 09, 2022
top trending topics
š¬ So,Ā your teen is dating & you’re not crazy about who they chose…
š Psst! Here’s what your kid really wants for Christmas…
šØ For those days when parenting seems so stressful & not so care free.
šĀ Self-care vs. self-comfort— Is binge-watching that latest show what you really need?
š« Kick-off the season & bond as a family with these cheap activities.
tips & tricks for growth
strengthen your relationships with a little gratitude
Thereās something about not being taken for granted and feeling valued that makes people feel better. Gratitude warms your heart and can lift both the giver and the receiver out of despair.
āØ Gratitude impacts how we relate to others and how we feel about our circumstances. What you choose to focus on is where your focus remains. Concentrating on the negative when things are hard can overwhelm you, and it teaches your brain to hone in on the worst. The alternative is to choose gratitude and find things you can appreciate during all the hard stuff going on in your life.
Practicing gratitude doesnāt have to be complicated, time-consuming, or expensive. Itās an intentional effort though to acknowledge what we are thankful for and a willingness to receive gratitude from others.
Now that you know practicing gratitude strengthens your relationships, you may be looking for ways to incorporate thankfulness into your life on the regular…
connect with your kids this holiday seasonĀ
Staying connected as a family can be challenging during the holidays, especially after you factor in parties, school programs, family celebrations, and the everyday busyness of life. But donāt worry, connecting with your kids doesnāt have to be complicated!
Here are a few ways you can connect together:
š² Play games.
Playing games with your kids is a great way to connect. Your kids will appreciate the time you spend together. So break out the cards or board games, and let them win a little.
š Include them in the holiday prep.
They want to be helpful. Let them help with baking and wrapping presents. If youāre hosting a party, they can help get the house and food ready.
š¤ Whatās their favorite thing to do during the holidays?
Thereās so much to do and so much fun to be had! Find out what your child loves to do and do it as a family.
š¤ Ā Sing Christmas songs together.
Nothing says holidays like music. Let everyone pick out some songs and sing them together. Let the kids take the lead. Create a playlist for car rides. Maybe you can even go Christmas caroling!
šæ Watch holiday movies together.
Grab some popcorn, ditch the electronics and watch some holiday classics. Maybe let each member of the family choose a favorite.
let’s get REALatable
It’s time to take things a step further & get a little intimate with a Q&A. What do you say?š Learn a little bit about the faces behind all of this relationship gold. This week we’re chatting withĀ John Daum, husband to his wife Monica, Ā dad of 5, story enthusiasts, and the content creatorĀ here at First Things First!Ā Let’s get REALatableš & learn a little bit about him:
Q: Movie or TV show?
A: Either. I just like good stories wherever I can find themā movies, tv shows, books, interviews on YouTube, and especially deep conversations with people. I tend to gravitate toward true stories and documentaries.
Q: One thing you want to learn?
A: Ā I kinda want to learn anything and everything. (That’s been a bit of a problem!) If I had to pick ONE thing, as nerdy as it sounds, I love learning about words and languages.
Q: Who’s been your biggest role model, and why?
A:Ā Gotta go with my father. Even though he passed away a number of years ago, his example and what he taught me will always stay with me.
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