At the end of summer, children are facing many transitions in the making. Kindergartners are attending school for the first time. Last year’s fifth-graders will go on to middle school. Eighth-graders who were at the top of the pecking order are entering high school and essentially are now the little fish in the big pond.…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/anita-jankovic-162ppyjclxM-unsplash-scaled.jpg13662048Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-06-25 00:00:002020-11-04 14:30:516 Ways to Help Children Thrive During Transitions
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
College prep may not be exactly what you think. Over the last several years, attorney Courtney Bullard has advised on or participated in more than 150 sexual assault investigations on college campuses across the country. “I specialize in working with colleges in matters involving sexual misconduct,” says Bullard. “I conduct external investigations, oversee investigations and…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/CollegePrepItsNotWhatYouThink-photo-1517486808906-6ca8b3f04846-e1584034991806.jpg7421400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-06-11 00:00:002020-11-04 15:46:41College Prep: It’s Not What You Think
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…
You walk through the door after dropping your baby off at college. The silence is deafening. Who knew that one more person could add so much noise to the house? Trying to hold back the tears, you wonder what they’re up to. Will they miss you? How long will it take them to call? Will…
When temperatures are extremely hot, it’s hard to think about going outside and doing anything except jumping in a pool—and even that feels like jumping into a big bathtub! It’s a shame—because there are so many fun things to take advantage of, wherever you live. When the temperatures cool off a bit and there are only…
While there's no guarantee of the perfect trip, these things can help!
Are we there yet? He’s touching my side of the seat. I’m hungry. I need to go to the bathroom. If you’ve ever taken a family vacation, you know these words are part of the package when it comes to vacationing with children. Whether you’re taking a two or 10-hour adventure, families can actually succeed in…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/6TipsForVacationingWithChildren-anja-137284-unsplash.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-05-21 06:30:002022-07-21 12:31:006 Tips for Vacationing with Children
Greg Vaughn lost his father to Alzheimer’s years ago. “I remember it like it was yesterday,” says Vaughn. “I know my dad loved me because he made sure our family was taken care of. But he never could say ‘I love you,’ or ‘Son, I am proud of you.’ That void left a hole in…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Letters-from-Dad-1-e1584038976530.png6441400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-05-21 00:00:002020-11-06 12:45:29Letters from Dad
As a parent, you might be in too much of a hurry if: You talk on the phone when your child tells you about their day; Your kids eat most meals in the car; You dress your child when she can dress herself – buttoning, zipping, finding her coat, etc; Your child constantly hears, “Are…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/guillaume-de-germain-8pfI-L-acL4-unsplash-scaled-e1584039121986.jpg13002048Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-05-21 00:00:002020-11-06 12:58:39Are You in Too Much of a Hurry?
In the movie Overboard, a man tricks a woman with amnesia into thinking she is a wife and the mother of four. Annie (the mother) gets fed up with the father for not spending time with his children. His response to her? He says he is a pal to his kids, and that he “brings…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/7WaysDadsCanConnectWithTheirKids.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-05-17 00:00:002020-11-06 13:06:457 Ways Dads Can Connect With Their Kids
Once a man took the day off to take his son fishing. His son was thrilled that his father would take a day away from important work to spend time with him, and he considered this day as one of the best days of his life. After the father passed away, his son found a diary among his dad's possessions and began reading it.
A young girl was touring the social worker through the home she shared with her father. When she came to her bedroom, she proudly showed the woman everything in her room. With big eyes and a huge smile, the little girl asked, “Would you like to see bombs away?” Hesitantly, the social worker said yes.…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/sherise-tij1Ah7lCXA-unsplash-e1584039513833.jpg12391278Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-05-17 00:00:002020-11-06 13:45:16Fathering is Child’s Play
Joe Bradford grew up without a father and lived in poverty. He was one of a few black students at a predominantly white school. As a result of a computer hacking crime, he went from standout college student to prison inmate fighting to stay alive. After serving time at a maximum-security prison, Joe was diagnosed…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/brooke-cagle-Nm70URdtf3c-unsplash.jpg8531280Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-05-15 00:00:002020-11-06 13:53:25Serving Makes a Difference
Many men find themselves trying to father from a distance due to work, divorce or military deployment. Fathering from a distance can be especially trying with celebrations, plays and concerts often occurring during the week. How can dads stay connected while they are away and not feel like a third wheel upon their return? Brian…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/How-You-Can-Father-From-a-Distance-scaled-e1584044693114.jpg11462048Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-05-15 00:00:002020-12-09 12:58:38How You Can Father From a Distance
It has been said that life is about leaving a legacy. Mother’s Day is a great time to celebrate the legacy of moms and those who have come alongside us as stand-in moms, whether for a season at college or life in general. According to a 2017 study of 2,000 American moms with kids between 5…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/jonathan-borba-VCjhp_UHk2w-unsplash-2-e1584044844845.jpg11021200Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-05-14 06:30:002020-11-05 12:50:48The Legacy of a Mother
6 Ways to Help Children Thrive During Transitions
At the end of summer, children are facing many transitions in the making. Kindergartners are attending school for the first time. Last year’s fifth-graders will go on to middle school. Eighth-graders who were at the top of the pecking order are entering high school and essentially are now the little fish in the big pond.…
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…
College Prep: It’s Not What You Think
College prep may not be exactly what you think. Over the last several years, attorney Courtney Bullard has advised on or participated in more than 150 sexual assault investigations on college campuses across the country. “I specialize in working with colleges in matters involving sexual misconduct,” says Bullard. “I conduct external investigations, oversee investigations and…
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…
A Practical Guide for Empty-Nesters
You walk through the door after dropping your baby off at college. The silence is deafening. Who knew that one more person could add so much noise to the house? Trying to hold back the tears, you wonder what they’re up to. Will they miss you? How long will it take them to call? Will…
Outdoor Family Adventures
When temperatures are extremely hot, it’s hard to think about going outside and doing anything except jumping in a pool—and even that feels like jumping into a big bathtub! It’s a shame—because there are so many fun things to take advantage of, wherever you live. When the temperatures cool off a bit and there are only…
6 Tips for Vacationing with Children
Are we there yet? He’s touching my side of the seat. I’m hungry. I need to go to the bathroom. If you’ve ever taken a family vacation, you know these words are part of the package when it comes to vacationing with children. Whether you’re taking a two or 10-hour adventure, families can actually succeed in…
Letters from Dad
Greg Vaughn lost his father to Alzheimer’s years ago. “I remember it like it was yesterday,” says Vaughn. “I know my dad loved me because he made sure our family was taken care of. But he never could say ‘I love you,’ or ‘Son, I am proud of you.’ That void left a hole in…
Are You in Too Much of a Hurry?
As a parent, you might be in too much of a hurry if: You talk on the phone when your child tells you about their day; Your kids eat most meals in the car; You dress your child when she can dress herself – buttoning, zipping, finding her coat, etc; Your child constantly hears, “Are…
7 Ways Dads Can Connect With Their Kids
In the movie Overboard, a man tricks a woman with amnesia into thinking she is a wife and the mother of four. Annie (the mother) gets fed up with the father for not spending time with his children. His response to her? He says he is a pal to his kids, and that he “brings…
Don’t Waste Father’s Day
Once a man took the day off to take his son fishing. His son was thrilled that his father would take a day away from important work to spend time with him, and he considered this day as one of the best days of his life. After the father passed away, his son found a diary among his dad's possessions and began reading it.
Fathering is Child’s Play
A young girl was touring the social worker through the home she shared with her father. When she came to her bedroom, she proudly showed the woman everything in her room. With big eyes and a huge smile, the little girl asked, “Would you like to see bombs away?” Hesitantly, the social worker said yes.…
Serving Makes a Difference
Joe Bradford grew up without a father and lived in poverty. He was one of a few black students at a predominantly white school. As a result of a computer hacking crime, he went from standout college student to prison inmate fighting to stay alive. After serving time at a maximum-security prison, Joe was diagnosed…
How You Can Father From a Distance
Many men find themselves trying to father from a distance due to work, divorce or military deployment. Fathering from a distance can be especially trying with celebrations, plays and concerts often occurring during the week. How can dads stay connected while they are away and not feel like a third wheel upon their return? Brian…
The Legacy of a Mother
It has been said that life is about leaving a legacy. Mother’s Day is a great time to celebrate the legacy of moms and those who have come alongside us as stand-in moms, whether for a season at college or life in general. According to a 2017 study of 2,000 American moms with kids between 5…