When precincts open on Election Day, U.S. citizens over 18 will have the right and responsibility to vote. When our country was founded however, only white men with real property or wealth were allowed to vote. But now, no matter your gender or race, citizens of this country have a say in who gets elected.…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/HowToTeachYourKidsAboutVoting-frank-mckenna-720257-unsplash.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-07-23 00:00:002020-10-30 13:39:18How to Teach Your Kids About Voting
Preparing your kids for responsibility can be a daunting task. Kay Wyma, mother of five, had a revelation one day while taking her kids to school that prompted some dramatic changes at home and ultimately led her to write Cleaning House: A Mom’s 12-Month Experiment to Rid Her Home of Youth Entitlement. “My teenage son…
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.
For a group of people who typically don’t have full-time jobs, teens certainly have a lot of money to spend. In 2014, MarketingVox/Rand Research Centers found that roughly 41 million kids ages 10-19 in the United States spend $258.7 billion annually. They spend it on everything from fashion to electronics, but where do they get…
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
Wondering how you can connect with your kiddos? Here’s a list to get you started!Plan a regular time for Daddy/Child date to do something fun and adventurous.Write a short message to them on a stick-it note and hide it in their lunch.Let your child help you wash the car or fix something.Play a game with them – one that they want to play.If you like to cook, let them help you.Take them to the park.Teach your child how to do something like build a kite, a soapbox derby car, a paper airplane, etc.T…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Ways-for-Dad-to-Connect-with-Kids-andrew-seaman-650355-unsplash.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-07-09 00:00:002020-10-31 13:12:12Ways for Dad to Connect with Kids
Parents and teens can have a mind-boggling relationship. One minute they are yelling things like: “I hate you!” “Don’t speak to me.” “Nobody else’s parents do that.” The next minute you are holding their head while they are sick, they ask you to borrow the car or they want to snuggle up next to you…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/sheri-hooley-_FTpwxHYYoI-unsplash-1-e1584020773610.jpg6621280Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-07-09 00:00:002020-11-03 14:33:17Survival Plan for Parents and Teens
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
Most parents have probably thought they couldn’t wait until their kids got older so parenting would be easier. But those currently parenting adolescents might have a few words to say about it. You know, the idea of things being easier as the tribe gets older. “I have three sons, two of whom are teens. I…
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…
If you watch almost any show on television that involves a father these days, it’s common to see a dad portrayed as an idiot when it comes to his children and family. In real life, many people tell men straight up: You don’t really parent, you babysit. People spent more than $20.1 billion celebrating Dad…
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
How to Teach Your Kids About Voting
When precincts open on Election Day, U.S. citizens over 18 will have the right and responsibility to vote. When our country was founded however, only white men with real property or wealth were allowed to vote. But now, no matter your gender or race, citizens of this country have a say in who gets elected.…
Preparing Kids for Responsibility
Preparing your kids for responsibility can be a daunting task. Kay Wyma, mother of five, had a revelation one day while taking her kids to school that prompted some dramatic changes at home and ultimately led her to write Cleaning House: A Mom’s 12-Month Experiment to Rid Her Home of Youth Entitlement. “My teenage son…
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.
Helping Teens Manage Money
For a group of people who typically don’t have full-time jobs, teens certainly have a lot of money to spend. In 2014, MarketingVox/Rand Research Centers found that roughly 41 million kids ages 10-19 in the United States spend $258.7 billion annually. They spend it on everything from fashion to electronics, but where do they get…
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…
Ways for Dad to Connect with Kids
Wondering how you can connect with your kiddos? Here’s a list to get you started!Plan a regular time for Daddy/Child date to do something fun and adventurous.Write a short message to them on a stick-it note and hide it in their lunch.Let your child help you wash the car or fix something.Play a game with them – one that they want to play.If you like to cook, let them help you.Take them to the park.Teach your child how to do something like build a kite, a soapbox derby car, a paper airplane, etc.T…
Survival Plan for Parents and Teens
Parents and teens can have a mind-boggling relationship. One minute they are yelling things like: “I hate you!” “Don’t speak to me.” “Nobody else’s parents do that.” The next minute you are holding their head while they are sick, they ask you to borrow the car or they want to snuggle up next to you…
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…
6 Tips for Parenting Adolescents
Most parents have probably thought they couldn’t wait until their kids got older so parenting would be easier. But those currently parenting adolescents might have a few words to say about it. You know, the idea of things being easier as the tribe gets older. “I have three sons, two of whom are teens. I…
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…
Do Fathers Really Matter?
If you watch almost any show on television that involves a father these days, it’s common to see a dad portrayed as an idiot when it comes to his children and family. In real life, many people tell men straight up: You don’t really parent, you babysit. People spent more than $20.1 billion celebrating Dad…
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…