When my five-year-old begs me to have a playdate with his Nana and Poppy, and my one-year-old squeals with delight every time she hears a Facetime from a grandparent come through, I remember the joy I felt as a child when I engaged with my own grandparents. Not everyone has the same experience with their…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/pexels-dimitri-dim-380720-1802175.jpg339800Lauren Hallhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2024-12-01 10:38:042024-11-25 10:46:40Grandparents are a Grand Gift to Thriving Families
Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, family, and pumpkin pie—but let’s not forget it’s also a time when differences can simmer hotter than the gravy on the stove. With loved ones gathering around the table, each bringing their unique perspectives, opinions, and life experiences, it’s no wonder that tensions can occasionally bubble up. However, the…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/pexels-karolina-grabowska-5706426.jpg432800Lauren Hallhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2024-11-24 10:55:402024-11-18 11:03:35Navigating Differences Around the Thanksgiving Table
As a mom with a one-year-old, I know firsthand how tempting it can be to reach for a screen when trying to get through your to-do list—or just catch a breath. But as much as we love a little peace and quiet, studies reveal a growing concern about screen exposure for children under two, prompting…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/pexels-wildlittlethingsphoto-4453100.jpg346772Lauren Hallhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2024-11-17 10:08:372024-11-11 10:14:06What We Now Know About Babies, Toddlers, and Screen Time
My kindergartener has a large number of friends. Of course, the majority of them are “girlfriends,” but that’s a topic for a different column on another day. The most consistent comments I’ve received about his personality is that he is very affectionate and social… sometimes a little too social. He even gained the nickname “The…
As a mom of two little ones, I’m no stranger to a toddler meltdown over the wrong color of water cup or the clashing of the wills at bedtime. I’ve seen firsthand how even the smallest of disagreements can feel monumental. But what happens when these small disagreements turn into chronic family disputes? A recent…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/pexels-gustavo-fring-7447265.jpg354800Lauren Hallhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2024-10-20 15:15:072024-10-15 15:20:29What Families Fight About (And Why It Matters More Than We Think)
Last weekend was Father’s Day. I helped my young children celebrate their dad by purchasing a small gift we knew he would love and creating personal cards for him to enjoy. He was delightfully surprised by both, and quickly commented, “Ah, you don’t have to celebrate me. I’m not half as important as your Mom…
My son was four months old the first time he flew on a plane. I was invited to a tech conference at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I was exclusively nursing, living on a special diet of no dairy, soy, or egg, and getting four solid hours of sleep a night. It wasn’t easy,…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Untitled-1-Recovered-3.png5851668Lauren Hallhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2024-05-29 11:38:342024-05-29 11:38:37Why Traveling With Young Children Is Worth Every Meltdown
Embracing 50/50 Custody is the Best for Children I am not an advocate for divorce on many occasions, but I do know there are some situations in which the ending of a relationship is better for everyone involved–and that’s okay. When one of my closest friends called me to tell me she was officially filing…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pexels-vlada-karpovich-4609046-1.jpg4801200Lauren Hallhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2024-05-13 13:57:532024-05-13 13:57:57Embracing 50/50 Custody is the Best for Children
Picture this: you’re a mom. You’ve just had a baby, and while you’re over the moon with love for your little one, you’re also feeling a bit… well, different. That was me not too long ago. And let me tell you, becoming a mom changes things – big time. When my first child came into…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pexels-amina-filkins-5427991.jpg5911200Lauren Hallhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2024-05-06 11:57:472024-05-06 11:57:52Women Change After Childbirth. So Should Their Support
Happiness is in no way the main goal of parenting or all that a child needs. Study after study shows a bit of struggle and frustration will allow a child to build character. But having a positive outlook and a foundation of optimism can protect children from mental health issues throughout life. Knowing this, there…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/pexels-august-de-richelieu-4260097.jpg5171200Lauren Hallhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2024-04-22 11:54:382024-04-22 11:54:42One Thing You Can Do to Make Your Children Happy
Have you ever wondered why some adult children become distant from their parents? It’s a big issue, affecting 40% of adult children in the United States, according to a study by Cornell University. Surprisingly, it’s often the adult children who choose to end communication. Digging into this issue, David Brooks, a respected writer for The…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/pexels-ivan-samkov-7922176.jpg5771200Lauren Hallhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2024-04-16 11:40:582024-04-16 11:41:00The Why and How Behind Adult Children Cutting Off Their Parents
My husband and I had a little argument last week. It wasn’t a big deal, just one of those everyday disagreements. But you know what? Our four-year-old reacted in a surprising way. He saw us arguing and got upset. So upset, in fact, that he pretended to punch my husband. When we asked him what…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/pexels-gustavo-fring-7447265-1.jpg5801200Lauren Hallhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2024-03-25 12:01:092024-03-25 12:01:17The Impact of Parents Arguing in Front of Kids
My grandmother passed away last week. She was 85, and her health had been slowly declining for a few years. But it didn’t make the news any easier to hear when she passed. When I was growing up, my grandmother and I spent a lot of time together. Some of the time was regularly scheduled,…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Untitled-1-Recovered.png5851668Lauren Hallhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2024-03-22 15:05:532024-04-16 14:30:54Effective Grandparents Practice Quality Over Quantity
As my oldest child approaches his fifth birthday, I find myself reflecting on the challenges of raising kids in today’s world. From the moment he was born, I’ve been mindful of how much time he spends in front of screens. It’s not easy in a world where screens are everywhere – TVs at grandma’s, FaceTime…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/pexels-karolina-grabowska-7269627.jpg5171200Lauren Hallhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2024-03-18 10:19:192024-03-18 10:19:24Screen Time, Childhood, and Our Future
“Momma, when you die and I don’t have a Momma anymore, can I go live with Nana and Poppy?” my four-year-old asked nonchalantly last Saturday. “Well, if anything happens to me and your dad, you can certainly live with Nana and Poppy. What made you ask that question, bug?” I said blindsided. “People die. And,…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Untitled-1-2.png6731920Lauren Hallhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2024-03-15 14:33:212024-03-15 14:38:51Parents Should Have Hard Conversations With Young Children
A recent study is changing the game for parents of young children. Reading has long been hailed as the number one way to increase a toddler and preschooler’s vocabulary and language skills and set the stage for academic success, social interactions, and life in general. But, there’s a new tactic rising to the top of…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-3818561.jpg5791191Lauren Hallhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2024-03-08 10:26:342024-03-08 10:26:39Beyond Reading: A New Way to Increase a Toddler’s Vocabulary
My grandmother passed away last week. She was 85, and her health had been slowly declining for a few years. But it didn’t make the news any easier to hear when she passed. When I was growing up, I spent a lot of time with my grandma. Sometimes it was because my parents were working…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/pexels-juan-pablo-serrano-arenas-1109238.jpg4661200Caroline Henryhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngCaroline Henry2024-02-26 10:17:182024-02-26 10:17:22Quality Time with Grandparents Matters Most
The first time my four-year-old son wrote his name at pre-school, I faced a parenting moment I didn’t expect. When I arrived for pick-up, he ran down the hall yelling, “Mom! I wrote my name! Mom! I wrote my name! You’re going to love it!” I scooped him up as he shared his most treasured…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/pexels-migs-reyes-4205505-scaled.jpg13652048Lauren Hallhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2024-02-21 14:42:502024-02-21 14:44:31What to Do About Perfectionism in Parenting
Parenting is a complex reality where influence meets responsibility. Parents shape a child’s present and future. After recent surges in adolescent mental health problems and suicide, the nation’s leading public health authorities have declared an emergency. Gallup, a global analytics and advisory firm, launched a study in the summer of 2023 to better understand the…
The well-known statistic still rings true: about half of all first-time marriages in the United States end in divorce. This stat increases in likelihood of subsequent marriages, reaching 70% for third-time marriages, according to a research-based article released by Forbes earlier this year. 61% of dissolved marriages involve children under the age of 18 living…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Untitled-4.png10242048Lauren Hallhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2024-02-06 16:14:552024-02-06 16:16:34From Two-Parent Households to Two-Household Children
Grandparents are a Grand Gift to Thriving Families
When my five-year-old begs me to have a playdate with his Nana and Poppy, and my one-year-old squeals with delight every time she hears a Facetime from a grandparent come through, I remember the joy I felt as a child when I engaged with my own grandparents. Not everyone has the same experience with their…
Navigating Differences Around the Thanksgiving Table
Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, family, and pumpkin pie—but let’s not forget it’s also a time when differences can simmer hotter than the gravy on the stove. With loved ones gathering around the table, each bringing their unique perspectives, opinions, and life experiences, it’s no wonder that tensions can occasionally bubble up. However, the…
What We Now Know About Babies, Toddlers, and Screen Time
As a mom with a one-year-old, I know firsthand how tempting it can be to reach for a screen when trying to get through your to-do list—or just catch a breath. But as much as we love a little peace and quiet, studies reveal a growing concern about screen exposure for children under two, prompting…
How Parents’ Everyday Interactions Shape Their Kids Friendships
My kindergartener has a large number of friends. Of course, the majority of them are “girlfriends,” but that’s a topic for a different column on another day. The most consistent comments I’ve received about his personality is that he is very affectionate and social… sometimes a little too social. He even gained the nickname “The…
What Families Fight About (And Why It Matters More Than We Think)
As a mom of two little ones, I’m no stranger to a toddler meltdown over the wrong color of water cup or the clashing of the wills at bedtime. I’ve seen firsthand how even the smallest of disagreements can feel monumental. But what happens when these small disagreements turn into chronic family disputes? A recent…
Why Dads Matter Everyday
Last weekend was Father’s Day. I helped my young children celebrate their dad by purchasing a small gift we knew he would love and creating personal cards for him to enjoy. He was delightfully surprised by both, and quickly commented, “Ah, you don’t have to celebrate me. I’m not half as important as your Mom…
Why Traveling With Young Children Is Worth Every Meltdown
My son was four months old the first time he flew on a plane. I was invited to a tech conference at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I was exclusively nursing, living on a special diet of no dairy, soy, or egg, and getting four solid hours of sleep a night. It wasn’t easy,…
Embracing 50/50 Custody is the Best for Children
Embracing 50/50 Custody is the Best for Children I am not an advocate for divorce on many occasions, but I do know there are some situations in which the ending of a relationship is better for everyone involved–and that’s okay. When one of my closest friends called me to tell me she was officially filing…
Women Change After Childbirth. So Should Their Support
Picture this: you’re a mom. You’ve just had a baby, and while you’re over the moon with love for your little one, you’re also feeling a bit… well, different. That was me not too long ago. And let me tell you, becoming a mom changes things – big time. When my first child came into…
One Thing You Can Do to Make Your Children Happy
Happiness is in no way the main goal of parenting or all that a child needs. Study after study shows a bit of struggle and frustration will allow a child to build character. But having a positive outlook and a foundation of optimism can protect children from mental health issues throughout life. Knowing this, there…
The Why and How Behind Adult Children Cutting Off Their Parents
Have you ever wondered why some adult children become distant from their parents? It’s a big issue, affecting 40% of adult children in the United States, according to a study by Cornell University. Surprisingly, it’s often the adult children who choose to end communication. Digging into this issue, David Brooks, a respected writer for The…
The Impact of Parents Arguing in Front of Kids
My husband and I had a little argument last week. It wasn’t a big deal, just one of those everyday disagreements. But you know what? Our four-year-old reacted in a surprising way. He saw us arguing and got upset. So upset, in fact, that he pretended to punch my husband. When we asked him what…
Effective Grandparents Practice Quality Over Quantity
My grandmother passed away last week. She was 85, and her health had been slowly declining for a few years. But it didn’t make the news any easier to hear when she passed. When I was growing up, my grandmother and I spent a lot of time together. Some of the time was regularly scheduled,…
Screen Time, Childhood, and Our Future
As my oldest child approaches his fifth birthday, I find myself reflecting on the challenges of raising kids in today’s world. From the moment he was born, I’ve been mindful of how much time he spends in front of screens. It’s not easy in a world where screens are everywhere – TVs at grandma’s, FaceTime…
Parents Should Have Hard Conversations With Young Children
“Momma, when you die and I don’t have a Momma anymore, can I go live with Nana and Poppy?” my four-year-old asked nonchalantly last Saturday. “Well, if anything happens to me and your dad, you can certainly live with Nana and Poppy. What made you ask that question, bug?” I said blindsided. “People die. And,…
Beyond Reading: A New Way to Increase a Toddler’s Vocabulary
A recent study is changing the game for parents of young children. Reading has long been hailed as the number one way to increase a toddler and preschooler’s vocabulary and language skills and set the stage for academic success, social interactions, and life in general. But, there’s a new tactic rising to the top of…
Quality Time with Grandparents Matters Most
My grandmother passed away last week. She was 85, and her health had been slowly declining for a few years. But it didn’t make the news any easier to hear when she passed. When I was growing up, I spent a lot of time with my grandma. Sometimes it was because my parents were working…
What to Do About Perfectionism in Parenting
The first time my four-year-old son wrote his name at pre-school, I faced a parenting moment I didn’t expect. When I arrived for pick-up, he ran down the hall yelling, “Mom! I wrote my name! Mom! I wrote my name! You’re going to love it!” I scooped him up as he shared his most treasured…
How Parenting Style Predicts Teen Mental Health
Parenting is a complex reality where influence meets responsibility. Parents shape a child’s present and future. After recent surges in adolescent mental health problems and suicide, the nation’s leading public health authorities have declared an emergency. Gallup, a global analytics and advisory firm, launched a study in the summer of 2023 to better understand the…
From Two-Parent Households to Two-Household Children
The well-known statistic still rings true: about half of all first-time marriages in the United States end in divorce. This stat increases in likelihood of subsequent marriages, reaching 70% for third-time marriages, according to a research-based article released by Forbes earlier this year. 61% of dissolved marriages involve children under the age of 18 living…