Most parents believe they're pretty good at communicating love toward their children. But did you know that saying “I love you” only begins the process of communicating your love for your child?There are some important communication practices to consider. For example, has your child ever said they were hungry and you told them they weren't because they just ate?
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/bruno-nascimento-eo11MS0FSnk-unsplash.jpg8531280Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-07-23 00:00:002020-10-30 15:16:50The Key to Your Child’s Heart
Dad, being involved matters. Here are just a few reasons why.Teenage girls who are close to their fathers are far less likely to become sexually active.Teenage girls are twice as likely to stay in school if their fathers are involved in their lives.“Fathers dramatically underestimate the importance of themselves in their daughters’ lives. They withdraw much too quickly, doubt their significance and influence, and grossly misunderstand how very much their daughters need and want to have a good re…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/FathersWhatResearchSays-e1583962856939.jpg5531400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-07-19 00:00:002020-10-30 15:32:49Fathers: What Research Says
Everywhere you turn these days it seems everybody is talking about the economy and its impact. Financial experts often discuss the dangers of people living beyond their means, and it seems that many are reaping the consequences of doing so. But despite the financial woes, is it all bad? Clearly families are getting hit hard.…
Popular artist Taylor Swift is aware of her critics and the harshness of their comments, especially after the time she sang off key with Stevie Nicks. One critic said it was the beginning of the end of her career. These comments definitely affected Swift. So, what was her response? She wrote a song: Mean. You,…
Ellen Pober Rittberg is the mother of three. She had three children in three years and she spent 13 years representing young people as an attorney. Both of these experiences have given her insight into the lives of young people which led to writing 35 Things Your Teen Won’t Tell You, So I Will. “I…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/jeremy-mcknight-ix9I7kfMpcc-unsplash-1-e1584019077544.jpg7071280Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-07-19 00:00:002020-10-30 15:58:22Things Your Teen Won’t Tell You
Following a recent college graduation, a group of young adults lamented the fact that things were probably going to be different. They are no longer on their parents’ payroll. They are expected to find work and pay their bills.
Creating a healthy stepfamily can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. In fact, since the number of stepfamilies has tripled since the 1960s, many men and women have done just that. If you have children from a previous relationship and you’re considering a relationship with another special someone with kids, there are a few things…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/family-of-four-walking-at-the-street-2253879-1.jpg8541280First Things Firsthttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngFirst Things First2018-07-11 16:12:242020-10-30 16:15:474 Keys to Being a Great Stepparent
I can always tell when my kids are in a Fortnite Battle Royale match by the cheering or jeering I hear blaring from their rooms. I might be hearing the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat, but it is loud and enthusiastic. If you have a child who plays video games, they are…
If you live with a teenager, one thing is certain: their emotions change as often as the weather or their clothes. They ascend to the heights of joy one day, the depths of teenage despair, the next.The teen years are a time to explore new ideas, new attitudes and new feelings. Since a certain amount of unpredictability is normal, how can you tell if your teenager’s emotional swings are beyond the normal ups and downs of adolescence?Although it's not always possible to know what goes to…
Lots of celebrity moms go out on the town and party with their famous kids and be their teen’s best friend. But while some teens might think it sounds really cool that a mom would party with them, most young people say they don’t want their parents acting like they do. According to Dr. Kevin…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/allen-taylor-0cmJRW5rOJ8-unsplash-e1584021908190.jpg10561277Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-07-05 00:00:002020-11-03 15:15:139 Ways You Can Be Your Teen’s Best Friend
The challenges of single parenting are many. Holding down a job, taking care of the children’s needs and household repairs, and a whole host of other things vie for the 168-hour week. How do single parents make it through the trials and come out feeling good about themselves and their children? When Martin Luther King…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/nathan-anderson-QDbck5ilFEw-unsplash-3-e1584022145696.jpg10971280Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-07-02 06:30:002020-11-05 09:32:385 Ways to Rise to the Challenge of Single Parenting
Joanie Sompayrac has taught college students for more than two decades. She began to notice a change in her students about 10 years ago, and she has a few things to say about raising decisive adults. “I enjoy teaching and I love my students,” says Sompayrac. “The last 10 years have been really interesting as…
Many young people get excited about the beginning of the sports season. Youth sports can be a wonderful thing. Learning how to take instruction, be a team player, build basic motor skills, win and lose with grace and have fun in the process are a valuable part of a child’s growth and development. Any participant…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/6ThingsForParentsToRememberAboutSports-ben-hershey-589840-unsplash.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-06-25 00:00:002020-11-04 14:25:086 Things for Parents to Remember About Sports
Time for parenting 101! When David and Victoria Beckham were criticized by parenting experts for allowing their 4-year-old daughter to have a pacifier, David fought back. He took to social media to set the record straight. “Why do people feel they have the right to criticize a parent about their own children without having any…
Hal Runkel and his family went to the Waffle House for breakfast one Saturday morning. Upon arrival they received coloring books and paper hats just like the cook wears. “Shortly after ordering, Brandon, our 2-year-old, became restless,” says Runkel, marriage and family therapist and author of ScreamFree Parenting. “Nothing made him happy. The waitress brought…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/colin-maynard-8AYzA7NHwxE-unsplash.jpg8531280Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-06-19 00:00:002020-11-04 14:59:166 Keys to Being a ScreamFree Parent
Conflict. Just saying the word makes some people break out in a sweat while others want to run for the hills. Surprisingly, some people enjoy engaging in conflict, although most people prefer to avoid it at all costs. While many think that conflict is bad, it’s actually neither good nor bad; it’s what you do with…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/StepsToHelpYourKidsHandleConflict-andrew-seaman-645932-unsplash-e1584035133975.jpg6791400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-06-04 18:30:002021-01-07 15:00:29Steps to Help Your Kids Handle Conflict
A dad’s presence is important. Here are 20 reasons your child needs you: 1. Lets your child know that you love him/her. 2. Provides your child with greater financial resources. 3. Gives your child a positive role model. 4. Provides your child with emotional support. 5. Enhances your child’s self-esteem. 6. Provides your child with…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/the-honest-company-fsUOU8X1WVc-unsplash.jpg7201280Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-05-29 00:00:002022-07-29 15:13:1220 Reasons Your Child Needs You
It’s coming and you know it’s coming, and you’re doing everything in your power NOT to think about it. But when your youngest child leaves and you’re alone with a deafeningly silent house, you’ll want to be ready for the transition. Thousands of young people head off to college each year, leaving their parents with…
Parents of graduating seniors have probably heard more than once, “I can’t wait until I don’t have to listen to your rules and I can do whatever I want.”Most seniors are giddy over the idea of heading off to college. They are eager to choose their own bedtime, where they keep their things and how late they stay out. As launching time approaches, many of these seniors who were super-confident at graduation start questioning themselves: What if I chose the wrong college?
Stepping away can be a great thing for your family.
Some moms think leaving their children with someone else, even for a short time, is not an option. However, taking a break can benefit both moms and kids. “I know moms who feel guilty if they are not with their children 24/7,” says Leslie Parrott, therapist and co-author of The Parent You Want to Be. “It is…
The Key to Your Child’s Heart
Most parents believe they're pretty good at communicating love toward their children. But did you know that saying “I love you” only begins the process of communicating your love for your child?There are some important communication practices to consider. For example, has your child ever said they were hungry and you told them they weren't because they just ate?
Fathers: What Research Says
Dad, being involved matters. Here are just a few reasons why.Teenage girls who are close to their fathers are far less likely to become sexually active.Teenage girls are twice as likely to stay in school if their fathers are involved in their lives.“Fathers dramatically underestimate the importance of themselves in their daughters’ lives. They withdraw much too quickly, doubt their significance and influence, and grossly misunderstand how very much their daughters need and want to have a good re…
Family and Finances
Everywhere you turn these days it seems everybody is talking about the economy and its impact. Financial experts often discuss the dangers of people living beyond their means, and it seems that many are reaping the consequences of doing so. But despite the financial woes, is it all bad? Clearly families are getting hit hard.…
Helping Kids Handle Mean Behavior
Popular artist Taylor Swift is aware of her critics and the harshness of their comments, especially after the time she sang off key with Stevie Nicks. One critic said it was the beginning of the end of her career. These comments definitely affected Swift. So, what was her response? She wrote a song: Mean. You,…
Things Your Teen Won’t Tell You
Ellen Pober Rittberg is the mother of three. She had three children in three years and she spent 13 years representing young people as an attorney. Both of these experiences have given her insight into the lives of young people which led to writing 35 Things Your Teen Won’t Tell You, So I Will. “I…
Preparing for Launch
Following a recent college graduation, a group of young adults lamented the fact that things were probably going to be different. They are no longer on their parents’ payroll. They are expected to find work and pay their bills.
4 Keys to Being a Great Stepparent
Creating a healthy stepfamily can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. In fact, since the number of stepfamilies has tripled since the 1960s, many men and women have done just that. If you have children from a previous relationship and you’re considering a relationship with another special someone with kids, there are a few things…
Parenting Through Fortnite
I can always tell when my kids are in a Fortnite Battle Royale match by the cheering or jeering I hear blaring from their rooms. I might be hearing the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat, but it is loud and enthusiastic. If you have a child who plays video games, they are…
20 Warning Signs in Teens
If you live with a teenager, one thing is certain: their emotions change as often as the weather or their clothes. They ascend to the heights of joy one day, the depths of teenage despair, the next.The teen years are a time to explore new ideas, new attitudes and new feelings. Since a certain amount of unpredictability is normal, how can you tell if your teenager’s emotional swings are beyond the normal ups and downs of adolescence?Although it's not always possible to know what goes to…
9 Ways You Can Be Your Teen’s Best Friend
Lots of celebrity moms go out on the town and party with their famous kids and be their teen’s best friend. But while some teens might think it sounds really cool that a mom would party with them, most young people say they don’t want their parents acting like they do. According to Dr. Kevin…
5 Ways to Rise to the Challenge of Single Parenting
The challenges of single parenting are many. Holding down a job, taking care of the children’s needs and household repairs, and a whole host of other things vie for the 168-hour week. How do single parents make it through the trials and come out feeling good about themselves and their children? When Martin Luther King…
9 Tips for Raising Decisive Adults
Joanie Sompayrac has taught college students for more than two decades. She began to notice a change in her students about 10 years ago, and she has a few things to say about raising decisive adults. “I enjoy teaching and I love my students,” says Sompayrac. “The last 10 years have been really interesting as…
6 Things for Parents to Remember About Sports
Many young people get excited about the beginning of the sports season. Youth sports can be a wonderful thing. Learning how to take instruction, be a team player, build basic motor skills, win and lose with grace and have fun in the process are a valuable part of a child’s growth and development. Any participant…
Parenting 101
Time for parenting 101! When David and Victoria Beckham were criticized by parenting experts for allowing their 4-year-old daughter to have a pacifier, David fought back. He took to social media to set the record straight. “Why do people feel they have the right to criticize a parent about their own children without having any…
6 Keys to Being a ScreamFree Parent
Hal Runkel and his family went to the Waffle House for breakfast one Saturday morning. Upon arrival they received coloring books and paper hats just like the cook wears. “Shortly after ordering, Brandon, our 2-year-old, became restless,” says Runkel, marriage and family therapist and author of ScreamFree Parenting. “Nothing made him happy. The waitress brought…
Steps to Help Your Kids Handle Conflict
Conflict. Just saying the word makes some people break out in a sweat while others want to run for the hills. Surprisingly, some people enjoy engaging in conflict, although most people prefer to avoid it at all costs. While many think that conflict is bad, it’s actually neither good nor bad; it’s what you do with…
20 Reasons Your Child Needs You
A dad’s presence is important. Here are 20 reasons your child needs you: 1. Lets your child know that you love him/her. 2. Provides your child with greater financial resources. 3. Gives your child a positive role model. 4. Provides your child with emotional support. 5. Enhances your child’s self-esteem. 6. Provides your child with…
Making the Empty-Nest Transition
It’s coming and you know it’s coming, and you’re doing everything in your power NOT to think about it. But when your youngest child leaves and you’re alone with a deafeningly silent house, you’ll want to be ready for the transition. Thousands of young people head off to college each year, leaving their parents with…
Next Steps After Graduation
Parents of graduating seniors have probably heard more than once, “I can’t wait until I don’t have to listen to your rules and I can do whatever I want.”Most seniors are giddy over the idea of heading off to college. They are eager to choose their own bedtime, where they keep their things and how late they stay out. As launching time approaches, many of these seniors who were super-confident at graduation start questioning themselves: What if I chose the wrong college?
How Taking a Break Benefits Moms and Kids
Some moms think leaving their children with someone else, even for a short time, is not an option. However, taking a break can benefit both moms and kids. “I know moms who feel guilty if they are not with their children 24/7,” says Leslie Parrott, therapist and co-author of The Parent You Want to Be. “It is…