You can help your kids feel safe and secure about school.
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. We made it through days one, two and three,…
Your conversations with them are teachable moments.
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, depression, and race relations. And don’t forget those…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-5-01.png5001200First Things Firsthttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngFirst Things First2021-09-10 09:46:282021-09-14 12:28:17How to Talk With Your Child About Tough Topics
You can find the balance between control and independence.
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 them. It’s tough. And it gets more challenging when kids are trying to assert their independence. …
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Untitled-1-01-5.png5001200Mitchell Quallshttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngMitchell Qualls2021-08-31 14:18:512021-09-02 12:19:505 Ways Self-Determination Theory Can Help You Raise Independent Kids
If you have kids, you've probably said some of them yourself.
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 about time!” “BYE! BYE! BYE!” “OMG, you have outgrown…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Untitled-1-01-3.png5001200Gena Ellishttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngGena Ellis2021-08-10 09:56:592021-08-11 00:50:0025 Things Parents Say When It’s Time for Kids to Go “Back to School”
You're the best person to find a good match for your child's needs.
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 it. And now you’ve decided to take the brave step of finding a…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Untitled-1-01.png5001200Reggie Madisonhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngReggie Madison2021-08-10 08:58:202021-08-11 00:28:52How to Find a Good Counselor for Your Child
Here's what you need to know to make a great choice 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 you, you’ll want to do everything in your…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Untitled-7-01.png5001200Chris Ownbyhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngChris Ownby2021-08-03 14:01:332021-08-11 00:25:22How To Find a Counselor for Your Teen
“Why am I so bad at this?” “I don’t know if I can do this.” “Why don’t I feel that overwhelming loving feeling toward her? Is there something wrong with me?” These are the thoughts that raced through my mind as I was sobbing at 2 a.m., trying to rock my 4-week-old baby girl back…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Untitled-4-01.png5001200Caroline Henryhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngCaroline Henry2021-07-28 15:22:242021-07-29 09:36:08When Motherhood Isn’t What You Thought It Would Be
Teens experienced a lot of stress during the first round of the COVID-19 pandemic. They switched to virtual learning. They were isolated from friends. Sports got canceled. Celebrations were delayed or just didn’t happen. All these things had a significant impact.1 We thought it would all be over by now. And it looks like it…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Untitled-1-01-1.png5001200Chris Ownbyhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngChris Ownby2021-07-14 12:37:522021-08-11 12:04:55Five Strategies to Help Your Teen Deal with Post-Pandemic Anxiety
Demonstrate your love, compassion, and care while walking them through their challenges.
Children, like adults, were struck with a sudden bombshell when COVID-19 arrived on the scene. Everything changed abruptly. Think about it. One day, they’re at school and seeing their friends. The next day, they’re home for an extended period. They’re isolated. Their world changed: masks, loneliness, increased family time, canceled activities, etc. The structure, predictability,…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Untitled-1-01.png5001200Reggie Madisonhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngReggie Madison2021-07-12 13:00:332021-08-24 13:59:017 Strategies to Help Your Child Deal With Post-Pandemic Anxiety
Dear Dad, Can I ask you a question? When you found out you were going to be a dad, were there parts of you that thought, “I’m gonna crush this. Everything my dad wasn’t around to do, I’m gonna do, because I’m not gonna be like my dad…”? Or did you say to yourself, “I…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Untitled-2-01-1.png5001200Reggie Madisonhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngReggie Madison2021-07-06 11:29:572021-07-16 11:59:04A Letter to the Dad Who Didn’t Have a Dad (or a Good Dad)
It may take some time, but you will find your way.
JUMP TO: • Is It Even Possible to Be Confident as a First-Time Mom?• How to Shift Your Mindset And Become What You Believe• It’s Possible to Balance Trusting Your Intuition & Searching for Information• How to Stop Comparing Everything• Why Leaning on Another Supportive Mama Who Gets You is Crucial• The Bottom Line To…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/BLOGHEADER_143A4196-scaled.jpg14952048Tamara Slocumhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngTamara Slocum2021-06-25 12:21:002021-06-25 13:33:31How to Feel Confident as a New Mom
Conversations around alcohol can impact life or death situations.
Drinking is one of “those topics” that parents need to talk about with their teens. Here’s some help navigating this potentially difficult conversation. What’s potentially difficult? There are state laws and your house rules. Other parents (and therefore your teen’s friends) may have different rules about alcohol. Drinking is an activity where there is often…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-6-01-1.png5001200John Daumhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJohn Daum2021-06-25 10:09:192021-07-16 12:13:12How to Talk to Your Teen About Drinking
Talking about consent can help your son navigate the waters.
It’s hard to miss the headlines about people taking advantage of others, sex trafficking and lives being changed forever because someone made a decision without asking for or giving consent. In today’s world, parents feel the need to understand and explain consent to their children, but how should you even start that conversation? Is it…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-1-01.png5001200Gena Ellishttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngGena Ellis2021-06-24 12:06:102021-06-25 15:54:01How to Teach Your Son About the Importance of Consent
You can lay the groundwork for bigger talks in the future.
Our children are exposed to more screens than ever, beginning at a very young age. They are bombarded with digital content and exposure to ads, friends, and family members sharing who knows what. Not to mention the sneaky ways tech experts entice viewers to look at inappropriate images. (Check out PARENTING COURSE | Parenting In…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-14-01.png8542048Reggie Madisonhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngReggie Madison2021-06-18 12:16:502021-06-18 13:24:01How to Have the Porn Talk With Your Kids
These 5 things can help her protect, assert, and defend herself.
I’m a dad of daughters. And like other parents, I would do anything to protect my girls. Anything. From harm and from bullies. From being taken advantage of. And from pubescent boys with only one thing on their mind (and I’m not talking about video games…). But I also know I can give my girls…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-9-01.png8542048Chris Ownbyhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngChris Ownby2021-06-17 12:59:112021-06-18 15:59:19How to Teach Your Daughters The Importance of Consent
Dad: “Hey bud, how was your day today?” Son: “Fine.” Dad: “Was it a good day?” Son: “Yep.” Son: “Can I go play now?” Have you had this conversation? We have… too often. After a couple of these, it was time to regroup and rethink how we created conversation with our kids. To get the…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-6-01.png10422500Mitchell Quallshttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngMitchell Qualls2021-06-16 10:04:072021-06-18 15:52:18Conversation Starters for Kids and Parents
I know I’m not the only one who finds the task of hunting down the “coolest” and most thoughtful Father’s Day present superbly difficult. Your challenge has probably been trying to find “The Thing” that perfectly encapsulates how amazing of a father your husband is. IMPOSSIBLE. Sure, there’s the Home Depot gift card, or the…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-4-01-1.png8542048Anna Reeves McCutcheonhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngAnna Reeves McCutcheon2021-06-15 14:13:532021-06-18 15:29:0610 Ways to Affirm Your Husband as a Dad
How you parent can strengthen the bond you have with your child.
When you first learn that you’re expecting a baby, you experience tons of thoughts, feelings, and emotions. If you’re honest, one of them may include sheer terror. You’re now responsible for the growth and development of another human being. NO pressure, right?! Maybe you’re like me: You went to a bookstore where you found shelves…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Baby-01.png8542048Gena Ellishttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngGena Ellis2021-06-09 12:43:272021-06-14 13:55:18What You Need to Know About Positive Parenting
The steps you take now will impact your connection in the future.
The goal of positive parenting is to build a deep, lifelong connection with your child. It’s the idea that while our primary role as parents may end when our children move out, we’re still a guiding presence in their lives. I don’t want to parent my children once they’ve stepped out on their own, but…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/BlogPic-PositiveParenting-01.png8542048Mitchell Quallshttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngMitchell Qualls2021-06-08 16:46:332021-06-25 10:11:455 Ways Positive Parenting Creates a Lifelong Connection with Your Child
Have fun with these conversation starters as you connect with your family by chatting it up with each other using these silly and serious questions! Topic 1: Family Describe our family in one word. What is your favorite family memory? What is your most memorable family holiday? The official food of our family would be……
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. We made it through days one, two and three,…
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, depression, and race relations. And don’t forget those…
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 them. It’s tough. And it gets more challenging when kids are trying to assert their independence. …
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 about time!” “BYE! BYE! BYE!” “OMG, you have outgrown…
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 it. And now you’ve decided to take the brave step of finding a…
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 you, you’ll want to do everything in your…
When Motherhood Isn’t What You Thought It Would Be
“Why am I so bad at this?” “I don’t know if I can do this.” “Why don’t I feel that overwhelming loving feeling toward her? Is there something wrong with me?” These are the thoughts that raced through my mind as I was sobbing at 2 a.m., trying to rock my 4-week-old baby girl back…
Five Strategies to Help Your Teen Deal with Post-Pandemic Anxiety
Teens experienced a lot of stress during the first round of the COVID-19 pandemic. They switched to virtual learning. They were isolated from friends. Sports got canceled. Celebrations were delayed or just didn’t happen. All these things had a significant impact.1 We thought it would all be over by now. And it looks like it…
7 Strategies to Help Your Child Deal With Post-Pandemic Anxiety
Children, like adults, were struck with a sudden bombshell when COVID-19 arrived on the scene. Everything changed abruptly. Think about it. One day, they’re at school and seeing their friends. The next day, they’re home for an extended period. They’re isolated. Their world changed: masks, loneliness, increased family time, canceled activities, etc. The structure, predictability,…
A Letter to the Dad Who Didn’t Have a Dad (or a Good Dad)
Dear Dad, Can I ask you a question? When you found out you were going to be a dad, were there parts of you that thought, “I’m gonna crush this. Everything my dad wasn’t around to do, I’m gonna do, because I’m not gonna be like my dad…”? Or did you say to yourself, “I…
How to Feel Confident as a New Mom
JUMP TO: • Is It Even Possible to Be Confident as a First-Time Mom?• How to Shift Your Mindset And Become What You Believe• It’s Possible to Balance Trusting Your Intuition & Searching for Information• How to Stop Comparing Everything• Why Leaning on Another Supportive Mama Who Gets You is Crucial• The Bottom Line To…
How to Talk to Your Teen About Drinking
Drinking is one of “those topics” that parents need to talk about with their teens. Here’s some help navigating this potentially difficult conversation. What’s potentially difficult? There are state laws and your house rules. Other parents (and therefore your teen’s friends) may have different rules about alcohol. Drinking is an activity where there is often…
How to Teach Your Son About the Importance of Consent
It’s hard to miss the headlines about people taking advantage of others, sex trafficking and lives being changed forever because someone made a decision without asking for or giving consent. In today’s world, parents feel the need to understand and explain consent to their children, but how should you even start that conversation? Is it…
How to Have the Porn Talk With Your Kids
Our children are exposed to more screens than ever, beginning at a very young age. They are bombarded with digital content and exposure to ads, friends, and family members sharing who knows what. Not to mention the sneaky ways tech experts entice viewers to look at inappropriate images. (Check out PARENTING COURSE | Parenting In…
How to Teach Your Daughters The Importance of Consent
I’m a dad of daughters. And like other parents, I would do anything to protect my girls. Anything. From harm and from bullies. From being taken advantage of. And from pubescent boys with only one thing on their mind (and I’m not talking about video games…). But I also know I can give my girls…
Conversation Starters for Kids and Parents
Dad: “Hey bud, how was your day today?” Son: “Fine.” Dad: “Was it a good day?” Son: “Yep.” Son: “Can I go play now?” Have you had this conversation? We have… too often. After a couple of these, it was time to regroup and rethink how we created conversation with our kids. To get the…
10 Ways to Affirm Your Husband as a Dad
I know I’m not the only one who finds the task of hunting down the “coolest” and most thoughtful Father’s Day present superbly difficult. Your challenge has probably been trying to find “The Thing” that perfectly encapsulates how amazing of a father your husband is. IMPOSSIBLE. Sure, there’s the Home Depot gift card, or the…
What You Need to Know About Positive Parenting
When you first learn that you’re expecting a baby, you experience tons of thoughts, feelings, and emotions. If you’re honest, one of them may include sheer terror. You’re now responsible for the growth and development of another human being. NO pressure, right?! Maybe you’re like me: You went to a bookstore where you found shelves…
5 Ways Positive Parenting Creates a Lifelong Connection with Your Child
The goal of positive parenting is to build a deep, lifelong connection with your child. It’s the idea that while our primary role as parents may end when our children move out, we’re still a guiding presence in their lives. I don’t want to parent my children once they’ve stepped out on their own, but…
100 Conversation Starters To Increase Your Family’s Connectedness
Have fun with these conversation starters as you connect with your family by chatting it up with each other using these silly and serious questions! Topic 1: Family Describe our family in one word. What is your favorite family memory? What is your most memorable family holiday? The official food of our family would be……
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