It’s your first child. Naturally, you’re going to be highly motivated to pull out all the stops, learn all the tricks and be the “perfect” parent. Since your child doesn’t come with an owner’s manual, you’ll more than likely rely on friends, family, the internet and your own ideas about what’s appropriate and what to…
How do you teach respect? Will your child’s strong will conquer you before you conquer it? As a parent, you have probably thought about these questions and experienced the confusion of trying to figure out the best way to raise your childrenAccording to psychologist and author Dr. Kevin Leman, we have arrived at a place in our society where the family focuses solely on the child. He says American parents have become permissive and democratic, and children have become sassy and en…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/6RulesToRaiseYourChildrenBy-brittany-simuangco-596656-unsplash-1.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-04-30 00:00:002020-11-05 15:23:176 Rules to Raise Your Children By
Doing things differently can improve how you relate to each other.
The family is attempting to go to an extended family gathering. Dad is waiting impatiently in the car. Mom is running through the house yelling at the kids to hurry up because they are running late. Daughter number one “can’t find anything to wear” and is having a meltdown. Mom tells teen son to comb…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/matt-heaton-AWu2De0kt_s-unsplash-e1584114961168.jpg6301280Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-04-24 00:00:002022-01-13 14:16:247 Ways to Treat Your Family Well
When it comes to strength and courage, males have always dominated society. Therefore, it may surprise you that boys are having a hard time growing up and understanding what it really means to be a man.In fact, research indicates that boys are in real trouble.They receive lower grades than girls. Two-thirds of them have learning disabilities.
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/nicolas-lobos-xc1a9UD41cw-unsplash-e1584115309989.jpg9161280Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-04-24 00:00:002020-11-05 15:48:138 Ways to Help Boys Become Men
A parent’s words have power. Plenty of parents have been at their wits’ end when words rolled off their tongue that they later wished had remained unspoken. In fact, at some point you’ve probably even told yourself, “You’re an idiot,” or “How stupid can you be?” Have you ever thought about how impactful your words…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/sai-de-silva-YLMs82LF6FY-unsplash-1.jpg8531280Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-04-23 06:30:002020-11-05 15:52:40The Power of a Parent’s Words
If you’re a parent, you’re probably bracing yourself for the summer with your teen. There are so many things to consider: everything from what time your teenager needs to be out of the bed in the morning, how much time they should spend gaming, expectations around the house and curfew, and whether or not they…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/brooke-cagle-8jp-6SjVibM-unsplash.jpg8531280Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-04-23 00:00:002020-11-06 11:27:487 Benefits of a Summer Job
We’ve all been there. We watch parents cave to a child’s demands and think, “I would never let that happen with my child. I have no intention of raising an entitled kid.” But right now, we live in a “me” generation. How many times have I been “that” parent, who after a long day, just wants…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/priscilla-du-preez-ptA_7ODacAk-unsplash-1.jpg8531280Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-04-23 00:00:002020-11-06 11:30:28Tips for Raising Kids in a “Me” Generation
How can you make visitation count? Many divorced parents face the reality of divided time with their children. Arrangements vary from weekend visitation to splitting time with each parent right down the middle. This often creates problems between the two homes: sometimes one parent is strict and the other is lenient, one parent may try…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/caroline-hernandez-TMpQ5R9mbOc-unsplash-1.jpg8531280Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-04-23 00:00:002020-11-06 11:36:02How You Can Make Visitation Count
“Raising kids through the adolescent years is like guiding your family in a raft through whitewater rapids,” says Dr. Kevin Leman, author of Running the Rapids: Guiding Teenagers through the Turbulent Waters of Adolescence. Like going down the river trying to navigate rapids, rocks and other hidden dangers, there is definite risk in experiencing the adolescent…
My son started high school this year and it made me reflect on his life and my own. Sometimes I find it hard to imagine not having my son with me 24/7. The truth is, we parent our teens to leave the nest from our home to another one – their own. It’s hard for…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/cole-hutson-73051-unsplash-scaled.jpg13662048First Things Firsthttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngFirst Things First2018-04-17 13:47:562020-11-06 13:54:49Preparing a Teen to Leave the Nest
Parents, teachers, coaches, gather round. If you have a teenager in your life, listen up. I may have stumbled onto some insight into the secret digital lives of teenagers. I have some reliable info about their phones and the things they experience on social media. If you have witnessed a teen with a phone grafted…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/priscilla-du-preez-216790-unsplash-scaled.jpg13662048John Daumhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJohn Daum2018-04-17 13:37:172020-11-06 11:51:57The Digital Lives of American Teenagers
Knowing these 4 things about brain development and screens are critical.
As a parent, how can you control media use in your home? At the beginning of middle school, Melanie Hempe’s oldest son, Adam, started trading his outdoor time for playing video games inside and she became a Game-Cop Mom. Since Adam was a straight-A student, Hempe let his bad habit slide. “But his ninth grade…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/andrew-neel-fkalryO4dUI-unsplash-1.jpg8531280Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-04-09 06:30:002022-03-04 12:29:425 Parenting Tips for Media Use in Your Home
Parenting a teenager is a tough job. Since my teenage son has not been packing his lunches for school, he is beginning to understand what responsibility looks like as he experiences hunger during lunch. Should I feel guilty about not taking time off work to take him a lunch while also spending extra money on…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/elijah-henderson-48573-unsplash-scaled.jpg13662048First Things Firsthttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngFirst Things First2018-03-29 14:22:342020-11-06 12:42:22Parenting a Teenager
I just experienced one of the most important days in the life of my youngest son. It was his football team’s Super Bowl game. This year marked their 3rd trip in a row and this season has been one of their best. They went undefeated in the regular season and claimed victory to one playoff…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/ben-hershey-579712-unsplash.jpg17002559Gena Ellishttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngGena Ellis2018-03-29 13:49:532020-11-06 13:00:33You Win Some, You Lose Some
Planning how you'll spend your time can make the breaks more fun.
Thanks to online shopping, my purchases were virtually complete. I asked my family what they wanted, and then I bought a few perfect presents (within my budget, of course). But after the shopping was complete, I needed to plan how we’d spend Christmas break together. For. Two. Whole. Weeks. I didn’t want to waste precious…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/michael-nunes-527010-unsplash.jpg13652048Kris Nashhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngKris Nash2018-03-29 13:38:012021-12-21 10:29:59How To Make The Most of Breaks From School
Thanksgiving a month early?? But why??? Well. My oldest son is now a college freshman… and the cost of travel (as well as his school schedule) made it impossible for us to celebrate Thanksgiving on the traditional 4th Thursday of November—so we did it early. I’ve taught families through our parenting classes at First Things…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/hannah-busing-592814-unsplash-scaled.jpg13662048Gena Ellishttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngGena Ellis2018-03-29 13:30:182020-11-12 13:02:17We Celebrated Thanksgiving A Month Early
These tips can help you talk to your teen about sexting.
Dr. Sheri Madigan and her research team wanted to know the prevalence of sexting behavior (sharing of sexually explicit images and videos through technological means) among youth. Between 2006 and 2016, they conducted a meta-analysis, looking at 39 different studies about sexting that included 110,380 young people from all over the world, including the United States.Studies indicate that sexting has been on the rise among teens while teen sex has declined.
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/darya-ogurtsova-tngVRPFJS7E-unsplash-scaled.jpg13662048Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-03-26 00:00:002022-02-23 11:54:06Sexting And Your Teen
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ryan-tauss-jVwb9LjxJ08-unsplash.jpg8531280Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-03-19 00:00:002022-07-29 15:22:25The Reason Why Boys Are Struggling
Some couples marry and have lots of time to nurture their relationship before children come along. Other couples marry and bring children into the marriage relationship immediately. Either way, when children enter the picture, the marriage relationship often resembles two ships passing in the night.There is no question that parenting focuses a lot of energy and love toward the children.
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/anna-pritchard-Krw4JKbqr8g-unsplash-1.jpg8331250Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-03-19 00:00:002022-09-30 11:03:48How to Balance Marriage and Children
Date night may need some serious resuscitation. Redbook magazine found that 45 percent of couples rarely have date nights, while only 18 percent said they go out once a month.This is sad news, since marriage experts say you can keep your marriage strong, healthy and adventuresome by spending regular time together doing something you both enjoy. Couples who intentionally spend time together often marvel at the positive impact it has on their marriage and family.An astonishing 80 percent of marria…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/tim-foster-hRZ5s-IPCWE-unsplash.jpg14332150Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-03-13 00:00:002020-11-12 15:01:07Is Date Night Dead?
10 Traps for First-Time Parents
It’s your first child. Naturally, you’re going to be highly motivated to pull out all the stops, learn all the tricks and be the “perfect” parent. Since your child doesn’t come with an owner’s manual, you’ll more than likely rely on friends, family, the internet and your own ideas about what’s appropriate and what to…
6 Rules to Raise Your Children By
How do you teach respect? Will your child’s strong will conquer you before you conquer it? As a parent, you have probably thought about these questions and experienced the confusion of trying to figure out the best way to raise your childrenAccording to psychologist and author Dr. Kevin Leman, we have arrived at a place in our society where the family focuses solely on the child. He says American parents have become permissive and democratic, and children have become sassy and en…
7 Ways to Treat Your Family Well
The family is attempting to go to an extended family gathering. Dad is waiting impatiently in the car. Mom is running through the house yelling at the kids to hurry up because they are running late. Daughter number one “can’t find anything to wear” and is having a meltdown. Mom tells teen son to comb…
8 Ways to Help Boys Become Men
When it comes to strength and courage, males have always dominated society. Therefore, it may surprise you that boys are having a hard time growing up and understanding what it really means to be a man.In fact, research indicates that boys are in real trouble.They receive lower grades than girls. Two-thirds of them have learning disabilities.
The Power of a Parent’s Words
A parent’s words have power. Plenty of parents have been at their wits’ end when words rolled off their tongue that they later wished had remained unspoken. In fact, at some point you’ve probably even told yourself, “You’re an idiot,” or “How stupid can you be?” Have you ever thought about how impactful your words…
7 Benefits of a Summer Job
If you’re a parent, you’re probably bracing yourself for the summer with your teen. There are so many things to consider: everything from what time your teenager needs to be out of the bed in the morning, how much time they should spend gaming, expectations around the house and curfew, and whether or not they…
Tips for Raising Kids in a “Me” Generation
We’ve all been there. We watch parents cave to a child’s demands and think, “I would never let that happen with my child. I have no intention of raising an entitled kid.” But right now, we live in a “me” generation. How many times have I been “that” parent, who after a long day, just wants…
How You Can Make Visitation Count
How can you make visitation count? Many divorced parents face the reality of divided time with their children. Arrangements vary from weekend visitation to splitting time with each parent right down the middle. This often creates problems between the two homes: sometimes one parent is strict and the other is lenient, one parent may try…
Parenting Teens
“Raising kids through the adolescent years is like guiding your family in a raft through whitewater rapids,” says Dr. Kevin Leman, author of Running the Rapids: Guiding Teenagers through the Turbulent Waters of Adolescence. Like going down the river trying to navigate rapids, rocks and other hidden dangers, there is definite risk in experiencing the adolescent…
Preparing a Teen to Leave the Nest
My son started high school this year and it made me reflect on his life and my own. Sometimes I find it hard to imagine not having my son with me 24/7. The truth is, we parent our teens to leave the nest from our home to another one – their own. It’s hard for…
The Digital Lives of American Teenagers
Parents, teachers, coaches, gather round. If you have a teenager in your life, listen up. I may have stumbled onto some insight into the secret digital lives of teenagers. I have some reliable info about their phones and the things they experience on social media. If you have witnessed a teen with a phone grafted…
5 Parenting Tips for Media Use in Your Home
As a parent, how can you control media use in your home? At the beginning of middle school, Melanie Hempe’s oldest son, Adam, started trading his outdoor time for playing video games inside and she became a Game-Cop Mom. Since Adam was a straight-A student, Hempe let his bad habit slide. “But his ninth grade…
Parenting a Teenager
Parenting a teenager is a tough job. Since my teenage son has not been packing his lunches for school, he is beginning to understand what responsibility looks like as he experiences hunger during lunch. Should I feel guilty about not taking time off work to take him a lunch while also spending extra money on…
You Win Some, You Lose Some
I just experienced one of the most important days in the life of my youngest son. It was his football team’s Super Bowl game. This year marked their 3rd trip in a row and this season has been one of their best. They went undefeated in the regular season and claimed victory to one playoff…
How To Make The Most of Breaks From School
Thanks to online shopping, my purchases were virtually complete. I asked my family what they wanted, and then I bought a few perfect presents (within my budget, of course). But after the shopping was complete, I needed to plan how we’d spend Christmas break together. For. Two. Whole. Weeks. I didn’t want to waste precious…
We Celebrated Thanksgiving A Month Early
Thanksgiving a month early?? But why??? Well. My oldest son is now a college freshman… and the cost of travel (as well as his school schedule) made it impossible for us to celebrate Thanksgiving on the traditional 4th Thursday of November—so we did it early. I’ve taught families through our parenting classes at First Things…
Sexting And Your Teen
Dr. Sheri Madigan and her research team wanted to know the prevalence of sexting behavior (sharing of sexually explicit images and videos through technological means) among youth. Between 2006 and 2016, they conducted a meta-analysis, looking at 39 different studies about sexting that included 110,380 young people from all over the world, including the United States.Studies indicate that sexting has been on the rise among teens while teen sex has declined.
The Reason Why Boys Are Struggling
How to Balance Marriage and Children
Some couples marry and have lots of time to nurture their relationship before children come along. Other couples marry and bring children into the marriage relationship immediately. Either way, when children enter the picture, the marriage relationship often resembles two ships passing in the night.There is no question that parenting focuses a lot of energy and love toward the children.
Is Date Night Dead?
Date night may need some serious resuscitation. Redbook magazine found that 45 percent of couples rarely have date nights, while only 18 percent said they go out once a month.This is sad news, since marriage experts say you can keep your marriage strong, healthy and adventuresome by spending regular time together doing something you both enjoy. Couples who intentionally spend time together often marvel at the positive impact it has on their marriage and family.An astonishing 80 percent of marria…