Staying calm in the face of a screaming or irrational child having a tantrum is no easy task. (Especially if it is in public or around friends & family. You feel like everyone is watching and judging. And they probably are. You just gotta get over that. It’s hard.) Let’s start with you. We often…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/photo-of-woman-and-her-children-lying-on-bed-4473871.jpg13652048John Daumhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJohn Daum2020-06-09 08:54:492021-12-21 10:33:37My Kids Are Driving Me Crazy: 30 Tips to Stay Sane
Relationships are key to understanding and lasting change.
Sam Collier didn’t have his first white friend until he was 21 years old. “It wasn’t until I had this friend that I realized how different our worlds were. He didn’t understand my world and I didn’t really understand his,” says Collier. It might be helpful to know that Sam is one of five children.…
Doing these things as a couple can make it a little easier.
No matter how you slice it, the birth of a child brings about changes that can be challenging. Here are some of the reasons why marriage can be harder after having a baby and how those challenges can make your marriage stronger. Unspoken Expectations. You probably have a picture in your mind of what your…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/mother-kissing-her-daughter-3662849.jpg20481365Reggie Madisonhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngReggie Madison2020-05-29 07:38:252022-04-14 09:54:095 Reasons Why Marriage Can Be Harder After Having A Baby
“Of course my child knows I love them!” But do they? Really? To be clear, I’m not questioning whether you love your child; I’m questioning whether your child knows that you love them. Do they know how broad, wide, and deep your love is for them? There’s more to your child feeling loved than saying,…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/kelly-sikkema-FqqaJI9OxMI-unsplash-4.jpg15172048John Daumhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJohn Daum2020-05-27 08:29:022022-11-18 13:32:54How To Make Sure Your Child Knows You Love Them
There’s a lot that happens when a couple has their first baby… Sleepless nights. Endless, life-impacting decisions. The world being turned upside down. Re-creating a “new normal.” A constant fear of things going wrong. The steep learning curve for both parents. The list could go on, and on, and on. And I’ve heard it all……
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/photo-of-people-looking-on-child-3617872.jpg12382048Caroline Henryhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngCaroline Henry2020-05-26 16:18:402021-03-30 09:48:0810 Questions Couples Should Ask Each Other Before Having a Baby
Summertime might mean a fun vacation with the family, kids in sports leagues or at camps, and visits from extended family. Fun stuff! It can also be a hectic, expensive time, punctuated by your kids saying, “There’s nothing to do!” Summertime can mean “quality time,” and this summer can be a summer to remember. Fun…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/mana5280-TvxahkK8DpQ-unsplash.jpg12162048First Things Firsthttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngFirst Things First2020-05-26 16:12:242023-06-21 12:32:365 Ways Summertime Can Help Your Family Bond
Dear Wife, Congratulations on the birth of your new bundle of joy. You and your husband have started a great new chapter in your relationship. I’m sure you have fantasized about having the best family and you are probably looking forward to seeing how great a dad your husband will be. That’s why I decided…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/daniil-silantev-Yj0zAEU6mSE-unsplash.jpg13672048Reggie Madisonhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngReggie Madison2020-05-22 06:55:122020-09-02 11:46:02Dear Wife, This is What You Should Know About Your Husband After Having a Baby
Every parent at some point has asked the question, “Am I a bad parent?” You’re not alone if you’re thinking about questions like this: Am I doing this right? What am I doing wrong? Why don’t I have enough (time, money, energy) to do this? Do I have what it takes to parent my child?…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/photo-of-woman-teaching-his-son-4145354.jpg13672048Gena Ellishttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngGena Ellis2020-05-18 08:50:542022-07-28 12:30:44Am I a Bad Parent?
Do you mind if I pretend we are sitting at a coffee shop, and you just said, I think my teen hates me, and we just have a chat? Cool. Oh, who am I? I’m the father of four kids who were teens and one who still is. (I’m looking forward to being a retired…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/woman-in-blue-denim-jacket-indoors-800703.jpg23333500John Daumhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJohn Daum2020-04-27 08:47:442021-08-17 11:20:51I Think My Teen Hates Me
They told us we had a moderate chance of severe weather Easter night and to be weather aware. How many times have we heard that and the weather amounted to nothing to write home about? Many went to sleep thinking if there was severe weather in the area, storm alerts would go off on phones…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/DealingWithStormAnxiety-jordan-whitt-KQCXf_zvdaU-unsplash-1-e1596645763397.jpg257400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2020-04-24 13:18:212020-09-02 12:39:53How to Help Your Child Deal with Storm Anxiety
Some people saw How to Establish a Family Quiet Time and thought, “Yeah right. There’s just no way. You haven’t been to my house. You don’t know my kids.” I am just one of the latest work-at-home dads who is amazed at just how much activity, noise, and energy can be expended by my co-inhabitants.…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/janko-ferlic-zHJ4ph3GRyg-unsplash-1.jpg25793223Reggie Madisonhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngReggie Madison2020-04-20 16:09:512022-04-22 12:36:15How to Establish a Family Quiet Time
How do I get my teen to talk to me? My first thought was to think back on all my experience parenting and working with teens. My first thoughts are frequently wrong. I realized that my 14-year-old son, Jude, was sitting right next to me. Ding, Ding, Ding! He has the best credentials to answer…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/woman-in-gray-jacket-standing-near-brown-tree-789315.jpg13652048John Daumhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJohn Daum2020-04-20 09:21:132023-08-12 08:32:29How Do I Get My Teen To Talk To Me?
You’re probably less interested in the “why” of getting help around the house, and more interested in the “how” of it. I get it, but you need to understand the “why” first and believe it. Taking care of yourself—physically and mentally—is incredibly important, especially right now. Stress, anxiety, fear, and plain old fatigue will all…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/photo-of-man-cleaning-table-3890170.jpg13652048John Daumhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJohn Daum2020-04-14 08:57:572022-06-21 15:03:16Why You Need To Get Your Kids To Help Around The House
I couldn’t figure out what it was at first. My first three days of work at home due to COVID-19 were really strong. I was sharing the house workload: cleaning, cooking, laundry, and the like. I was spending some quality time with the kids. And then suddenly, it all changed. I was unmotivated to work.…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/man-in-white-t-shirt-and-brown-pants-painting-cardboard-3933227.jpg20481365Reggie Madisonhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngReggie Madison2020-04-13 21:04:402020-08-07 12:56:02How Not To Get Stir-Crazy At Home With Kids
Take the time to do some things each day that help you deal with all the chaos.
I fish. It’s what I do. Some have asked me what in the world draws me to stand by a pond and throw a little feathered hook in the water time and time again, often with very few results. I fish so I can de-stress. It’s mindless (somewhat) and I can leave all the emotion,…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/evan-wise-Gl1jwLrvl8A-unsplash.jpg13682048Chris Ownbyhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngChris Ownby2020-04-08 11:32:122022-08-11 09:17:12Are You Setting a Good Example of Self-Care for Your Family?
Let me set the scene for you. I’m working from home, sitting at my computer trying to crank out a report and meet a deadline in an hour. The following sequence of events happens: My 9-year-old son goes running down the hall and slides on the floor into the door as if he were sliding…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/photo-of-man-and-woman-having-fun-with-their-child-3820065.jpg13652048Reggie Madisonhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngReggie Madison2020-04-06 09:49:372022-07-28 11:59:12How to Not Blow Up on Your Kids When You’re Stressed: The Timeout
These journal topic suggestions can get you to thinking!
Journaling isn’t just for school. It can help your kids in a variety of personal ways that can also help you as a parent tune into your kids. Sometimes your kids will be willing to share their thoughts with you, but they will often put something into writing that they might not say to you. Let’s be honest —…
Are you keeping them safe, or keeping them from growing?
I have always prided myself on being a good friend—the type of friend that seeks to protect those I care about from hurt, harm or danger—even self-inflicted hurt, harm, or danger. I was in no way prepared for the gigantic increase in those protective feelings when I became a MOTHER. The idea that my babies (now 21,…
How can you be sure your child will know that you love them? When I was 6, I was shopping with my mom when my eyes landed on what I thought was very cool Christmas tape. I told my mom I needed that tape. She said no. So, I took matters into my own hands……
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/photo-of-woman-carrying-child-3889817.jpg11522048Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2020-03-02 09:56:252022-05-19 08:16:466 Ways Your Child Will Know You Love Them
In the March issue of The Atlantic, David Brooks writes a provocative and compelling article about the nuclear family and how he thinks it was a huge mistake.
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/jessica-rockowitz-6c4Uhhe68yQ-unsplash-1-e1597073348782.jpg193450Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2020-02-24 00:00:002022-05-19 08:52:16Is the Nuclear Family a Problem?
My Kids Are Driving Me Crazy: 30 Tips to Stay Sane
Staying calm in the face of a screaming or irrational child having a tantrum is no easy task. (Especially if it is in public or around friends & family. You feel like everyone is watching and judging. And they probably are. You just gotta get over that. It’s hard.) Let’s start with you. We often…
How Relationships Can Transform Race Relations
Sam Collier didn’t have his first white friend until he was 21 years old. “It wasn’t until I had this friend that I realized how different our worlds were. He didn’t understand my world and I didn’t really understand his,” says Collier. It might be helpful to know that Sam is one of five children.…
5 Reasons Why Marriage Can Be Harder After Having A Baby
No matter how you slice it, the birth of a child brings about changes that can be challenging. Here are some of the reasons why marriage can be harder after having a baby and how those challenges can make your marriage stronger. Unspoken Expectations. You probably have a picture in your mind of what your…
How To Make Sure Your Child Knows You Love Them
“Of course my child knows I love them!” But do they? Really? To be clear, I’m not questioning whether you love your child; I’m questioning whether your child knows that you love them. Do they know how broad, wide, and deep your love is for them? There’s more to your child feeling loved than saying,…
10 Questions Couples Should Ask Each Other Before Having a Baby
There’s a lot that happens when a couple has their first baby… Sleepless nights. Endless, life-impacting decisions. The world being turned upside down. Re-creating a “new normal.” A constant fear of things going wrong. The steep learning curve for both parents. The list could go on, and on, and on. And I’ve heard it all……
5 Ways Summertime Can Help Your Family Bond
Summertime might mean a fun vacation with the family, kids in sports leagues or at camps, and visits from extended family. Fun stuff! It can also be a hectic, expensive time, punctuated by your kids saying, “There’s nothing to do!” Summertime can mean “quality time,” and this summer can be a summer to remember. Fun…
Dear Wife, This is What You Should Know About Your Husband After Having a Baby
Dear Wife, Congratulations on the birth of your new bundle of joy. You and your husband have started a great new chapter in your relationship. I’m sure you have fantasized about having the best family and you are probably looking forward to seeing how great a dad your husband will be. That’s why I decided…
Am I a Bad Parent?
Every parent at some point has asked the question, “Am I a bad parent?” You’re not alone if you’re thinking about questions like this: Am I doing this right? What am I doing wrong? Why don’t I have enough (time, money, energy) to do this? Do I have what it takes to parent my child?…
I Think My Teen Hates Me
Do you mind if I pretend we are sitting at a coffee shop, and you just said, I think my teen hates me, and we just have a chat? Cool. Oh, who am I? I’m the father of four kids who were teens and one who still is. (I’m looking forward to being a retired…
How to Help Your Child Deal with Storm Anxiety
They told us we had a moderate chance of severe weather Easter night and to be weather aware. How many times have we heard that and the weather amounted to nothing to write home about? Many went to sleep thinking if there was severe weather in the area, storm alerts would go off on phones…
How to Establish a Family Quiet Time
Some people saw How to Establish a Family Quiet Time and thought, “Yeah right. There’s just no way. You haven’t been to my house. You don’t know my kids.” I am just one of the latest work-at-home dads who is amazed at just how much activity, noise, and energy can be expended by my co-inhabitants.…
How Do I Get My Teen To Talk To Me?
How do I get my teen to talk to me? My first thought was to think back on all my experience parenting and working with teens. My first thoughts are frequently wrong. I realized that my 14-year-old son, Jude, was sitting right next to me. Ding, Ding, Ding! He has the best credentials to answer…
Why You Need To Get Your Kids To Help Around The House
You’re probably less interested in the “why” of getting help around the house, and more interested in the “how” of it. I get it, but you need to understand the “why” first and believe it. Taking care of yourself—physically and mentally—is incredibly important, especially right now. Stress, anxiety, fear, and plain old fatigue will all…
How Not To Get Stir-Crazy At Home With Kids
I couldn’t figure out what it was at first. My first three days of work at home due to COVID-19 were really strong. I was sharing the house workload: cleaning, cooking, laundry, and the like. I was spending some quality time with the kids. And then suddenly, it all changed. I was unmotivated to work.…
Are You Setting a Good Example of Self-Care for Your Family?
I fish. It’s what I do. Some have asked me what in the world draws me to stand by a pond and throw a little feathered hook in the water time and time again, often with very few results. I fish so I can de-stress. It’s mindless (somewhat) and I can leave all the emotion,…
How to Not Blow Up on Your Kids When You’re Stressed: The Timeout
Let me set the scene for you. I’m working from home, sitting at my computer trying to crank out a report and meet a deadline in an hour. The following sequence of events happens: My 9-year-old son goes running down the hall and slides on the floor into the door as if he were sliding…
Journaling/Writing Prompts for Kids
Journaling isn’t just for school. It can help your kids in a variety of personal ways that can also help you as a parent tune into your kids. Sometimes your kids will be willing to share their thoughts with you, but they will often put something into writing that they might not say to you. Let’s be honest —…
Letting Your Child Fail
I have always prided myself on being a good friend—the type of friend that seeks to protect those I care about from hurt, harm or danger—even self-inflicted hurt, harm, or danger. I was in no way prepared for the gigantic increase in those protective feelings when I became a MOTHER. The idea that my babies (now 21,…
6 Ways Your Child Will Know You Love Them
How can you be sure your child will know that you love them? When I was 6, I was shopping with my mom when my eyes landed on what I thought was very cool Christmas tape. I told my mom I needed that tape. She said no. So, I took matters into my own hands……
Is the Nuclear Family a Problem?
In the March issue of The Atlantic, David Brooks writes a provocative and compelling article about the nuclear family and how he thinks it was a huge mistake.
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