It is vital for young people to set and stick to dating standards as they build relationships. The role of a parent is that of teacher and encourager, not dictator.Before your child gets to the level of maturity where he or she is ready to date, you should decide upon your dating standards. Determine how old your teenager must be to date.
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/TipsForSettingDatingStandardsWithYourTeenshudson-hintze-183959-1.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-11-09 00:00:002020-12-04 13:46:08Tips for Setting Dating Standards With Your Teens
Dating is a big deal for most teenagers. Many parents will tell you that questions like, “When will I be old enough to date? And when I date, what time will I have to be home?” start coming long before their teen is really old enough to date. Some parents go to great lengths putting rules in place for dating.
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/10StepsForALowRiskTeenDatingStrategy.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-11-09 00:00:002020-12-04 13:46:4310 Steps for a Low-Risk Teen Dating Strategy
Understand, prevent and counteract bullying with these tips.
In 2012, social media erupted over the email sent to news anchor Jennifer Livingston about being overweight. The email's sender contended that he was trying to bring to her attention that she was not a good role model for young girls in their community because she was overweight. Her on-air response to his email created quite a buzz.Someone also bullied a young girl named Kaelynn.
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WhatYouNeedToKnowAboutBullying.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-11-05 00:00:002022-07-26 13:42:40What You Need to Know About Bullying
In the movie Spanglish, the mother, played by Tea Leoni, is clearly obsessed with exercise and her looks. Her daughter, played by Sarah Steele, is not overweight, but clearly not thin enough to meet her mom’s standards. Leoni tries to motivate her daughter to lose weight by going on shopping sprees and buying her beautiful, but too-small clothing.
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/NewYearNewYou.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-11-01 00:00:002020-11-23 13:00:49New Year, New You
Jake and Lou Anne used to live in a loft and have people over all the time. But once they decided to have a family, they moved to a house in a quiet neighborhood. And, their friends came over significantly less often.“It was definitely a dramatic change for us,” said Lou Anne.
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/nynne-schroder-Ld532Q7eUmQ-unsplash-2.jpg28583810Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-10-31 00:00:002020-11-25 12:49:16How to Stay Close After Bringing Baby Home
As a mother, have you ever looked in the mirror and asked, “Who am I? Where did the woman I used to know go? Will I ever be known by my real name again, or will it always be _________’s mom from this point forward?” If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are in good company.
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/omar-lopez-_H1ZmUzwp9w-unsplash-scaled.jpg13662048Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-10-30 06:30:002020-11-25 13:20:40How to Avoid Losing Your Identity in Motherhood
When the school requested a conference with the Goldbergs regarding one of their sons, all kinds of things ran through their mind. Late homework was probably the last thing they expected to discuss.“After the school conference we tested him and went through all kinds of processes to make sure we had him in the right school and in the right environment to do his best work,” said Donna Goldberg, author of The Organized Student: Teaching Students Skills for Success for School and Beyond…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/6StepsToHelpTeensGetOrganized.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-10-27 00:00:002020-12-04 15:36:186 Steps to Help Teens Get Organized
On average, how much time do you spend with your children each week?How much time do your children think you spend with them?You've probably heard that quality time with your children, not the quantity, is what really matters. A study published in the Youth and Society Journal, however, questions that line of thinking.The study indicates that bullying behavior increases when children perceive that their dads are not spending enough time with them.Andre Christie-Mizell is a psychologist …
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/QuantityVsQualityTimeWithDad.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-10-23 00:00:002022-09-21 11:20:37Quantity vs. Quality Time with Dad
Sometimes the closeness of a father/daughter relationship can interfere with the couple relationship.For example, one couple was arguing over purchasing a $600 set of dishes. According to the husband, they could not afford them. As a result, the wife was furious.When she told her father that her husband would not purchase the dishes, her dad purchased them for her.
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/DadsRoleInADaughtersMarriageorio-nguyen-267275.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-10-19 00:00:002020-12-01 15:26:30Dad’s Role in a Daughter’s Marriage
When Dad is active and involved, daughters benefit.
Beth, a 26-year-old secretary was in a particularly good mood. She was actually glowing when a friend asked if her boyfriend had proposed to her."Her response took me by surprise,” says Ken Canfield, author of Seven Secrets of Effective Fathers and The Heart of a Father. "She told me her father initiated a phone call to her for the first time in a very long time. I noticed she had flowers on her desk and I asked who sent her flowers."With a huge smile, she t…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/TheValueOfFatherDaughterRelationships-e1584128750362.jpg6861400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-10-19 00:00:002022-04-12 10:11:55The Value of Father-Daughter Relationships
The holidays will be different for many children who are adjusting to their parents’ divorce. What once was, is no more. In the midst of their “new normal,” now they must learn how to deal with dividing the holidays between parents.
Jeff Harrell worked long hours in the restaurant business when his daughter was born. Alyssa was 3 months old when Harrell realized that she clearly had no interest in being with him.“That’s when I knew things had to change,” shares Harrell. “I did not want my child to grow up not knowing me.
One of the most important things you can do is understand adolescent brain development.
Just say the word “adolescent” in front of parents and you will likely get varied responses. Responses range from relief from surviving those years to sheer panic from those who are approaching that developmental stage. Everyone wishes they had a survival guide.Several years ago, The Center for Adolescent Health at Johns Hopkins University decided to create one.
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/TeenYearsExplained.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-10-17 00:00:002022-08-23 10:27:06The Teen Years Explained
What percentage of childhood sexual abuse victims know their abuser? Where might you find someone who sexually abuses children? What percentage of child sexual abuse victims tell someone about the abuse?
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/5WaysToProtectChildrenFromSexualAbuse-e1584130578997.jpg6051400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-10-16 00:00:002020-12-11 16:23:055 Ways You Can Protect Children from Sexual Abuse
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/TalkingToYourKidsAboutSex-family-810297_1920.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-10-12 00:00:002021-02-18 10:20:49Talking to Your Kids About Sex
A college freshman working as a summer camp counselor called her parents to vent about how bad things were with her supervisor. It was halfway through the program and six other counselors had quit because they were unhappy and not having fun. As the conversation continued, the parents realized their child wanted their permission to quit as well.
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/StrugglesCanLeadToSuccess-taylor-nicole-37744-e1584117977582.jpg6931400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-10-10 00:00:002021-02-23 10:56:51Struggles Can Lead to Success
Here are some things that matter on and off the field.
If you happen to be a Tennessee or UTC fan, it has been painful to watch both football teams struggle to even get on the scoreboard. There’s usually a lot of armchair quarterbacking and coaching going on anyway, but now it has reached a fever pitch. People are calling for the coaches’ jobs and trash-talking team members.Don’t think it is about just these two schools.
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/16GoalsForSuccessInTeamSports-riley-mccullough-196374-crop-e1584118182547.jpg7211400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-10-09 06:30:002021-11-02 12:35:5716 Ways to Score in Team Sports
For decades, research has indicated a strong correlation between involved fathers and child well-being. A 2009 study published in Child Development specifically continues this trend for preventing risky sexual behavior.Researchers led by Boston College Associate Professor Rebekah Levine Coley surveyed 3,206 teens, ages 13-18, annually for four years. They asked teens from two-parent homes about their sexual behavior and their relationship with their parents.The study assessed this group of teens…
Typical day in the life of a family: The alarm clock goes off. Parents wake up children. Chaos ensues as family members fight for the bathroom, get ready and eat breakfast to be out the door on time.
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/GuardingFamilyTime.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-10-09 00:00:002022-01-05 14:42:06Guarding Family Time
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy has reviewed research about parental influences on children's sexual behavior and talked to many experts in the field, as well as to teens and parents themselves. From these sources, it is clear that there is much parents and adults can do to reduce the risk of children becoming pregnant before they've grown up.Presented here as "10 tips," many of these lessons will seem familiar because they articulate what parents already know f…
Tips for Setting Dating Standards With Your Teens
It is vital for young people to set and stick to dating standards as they build relationships. The role of a parent is that of teacher and encourager, not dictator.Before your child gets to the level of maturity where he or she is ready to date, you should decide upon your dating standards. Determine how old your teenager must be to date.
10 Steps for a Low-Risk Teen Dating Strategy
Dating is a big deal for most teenagers. Many parents will tell you that questions like, “When will I be old enough to date? And when I date, what time will I have to be home?” start coming long before their teen is really old enough to date. Some parents go to great lengths putting rules in place for dating.
What You Need to Know About Bullying
In 2012, social media erupted over the email sent to news anchor Jennifer Livingston about being overweight. The email's sender contended that he was trying to bring to her attention that she was not a good role model for young girls in their community because she was overweight. Her on-air response to his email created quite a buzz.Someone also bullied a young girl named Kaelynn.
New Year, New You
In the movie Spanglish, the mother, played by Tea Leoni, is clearly obsessed with exercise and her looks. Her daughter, played by Sarah Steele, is not overweight, but clearly not thin enough to meet her mom’s standards. Leoni tries to motivate her daughter to lose weight by going on shopping sprees and buying her beautiful, but too-small clothing.
How to Stay Close After Bringing Baby Home
Jake and Lou Anne used to live in a loft and have people over all the time. But once they decided to have a family, they moved to a house in a quiet neighborhood. And, their friends came over significantly less often.“It was definitely a dramatic change for us,” said Lou Anne.
How to Avoid Losing Your Identity in Motherhood
As a mother, have you ever looked in the mirror and asked, “Who am I? Where did the woman I used to know go? Will I ever be known by my real name again, or will it always be _________’s mom from this point forward?” If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are in good company.
6 Steps to Help Teens Get Organized
When the school requested a conference with the Goldbergs regarding one of their sons, all kinds of things ran through their mind. Late homework was probably the last thing they expected to discuss.“After the school conference we tested him and went through all kinds of processes to make sure we had him in the right school and in the right environment to do his best work,” said Donna Goldberg, author of The Organized Student: Teaching Students Skills for Success for School and Beyond…
Quantity vs. Quality Time with Dad
On average, how much time do you spend with your children each week?How much time do your children think you spend with them?You've probably heard that quality time with your children, not the quantity, is what really matters. A study published in the Youth and Society Journal, however, questions that line of thinking.The study indicates that bullying behavior increases when children perceive that their dads are not spending enough time with them.Andre Christie-Mizell is a psychologist …
Dad’s Role in a Daughter’s Marriage
Sometimes the closeness of a father/daughter relationship can interfere with the couple relationship.For example, one couple was arguing over purchasing a $600 set of dishes. According to the husband, they could not afford them. As a result, the wife was furious.When she told her father that her husband would not purchase the dishes, her dad purchased them for her.
The Value of Father-Daughter Relationships
Beth, a 26-year-old secretary was in a particularly good mood. She was actually glowing when a friend asked if her boyfriend had proposed to her."Her response took me by surprise,” says Ken Canfield, author of Seven Secrets of Effective Fathers and The Heart of a Father. "She told me her father initiated a phone call to her for the first time in a very long time. I noticed she had flowers on her desk and I asked who sent her flowers."With a huge smile, she t…
5 Holiday Tips for Divorced Parents
The holidays will be different for many children who are adjusting to their parents’ divorce. What once was, is no more. In the midst of their “new normal,” now they must learn how to deal with dividing the holidays between parents.
A Father’s Love
Jeff Harrell worked long hours in the restaurant business when his daughter was born. Alyssa was 3 months old when Harrell realized that she clearly had no interest in being with him.“That’s when I knew things had to change,” shares Harrell. “I did not want my child to grow up not knowing me.
The Teen Years Explained
Just say the word “adolescent” in front of parents and you will likely get varied responses. Responses range from relief from surviving those years to sheer panic from those who are approaching that developmental stage. Everyone wishes they had a survival guide.Several years ago, The Center for Adolescent Health at Johns Hopkins University decided to create one.
5 Ways You Can Protect Children from Sexual Abuse
What percentage of childhood sexual abuse victims know their abuser? Where might you find someone who sexually abuses children? What percentage of child sexual abuse victims tell someone about the abuse?
Talking to Your Kids About Sex
Where did I come from? What are the birds and the bees? What is sex?
Struggles Can Lead to Success
A college freshman working as a summer camp counselor called her parents to vent about how bad things were with her supervisor. It was halfway through the program and six other counselors had quit because they were unhappy and not having fun. As the conversation continued, the parents realized their child wanted their permission to quit as well.
16 Ways to Score in Team Sports
If you happen to be a Tennessee or UTC fan, it has been painful to watch both football teams struggle to even get on the scoreboard. There’s usually a lot of armchair quarterbacking and coaching going on anyway, but now it has reached a fever pitch. People are calling for the coaches’ jobs and trash-talking team members.Don’t think it is about just these two schools.
Dad’s Impact on Teens
For decades, research has indicated a strong correlation between involved fathers and child well-being. A 2009 study published in Child Development specifically continues this trend for preventing risky sexual behavior.Researchers led by Boston College Associate Professor Rebekah Levine Coley surveyed 3,206 teens, ages 13-18, annually for four years. They asked teens from two-parent homes about their sexual behavior and their relationship with their parents.The study assessed this group of teens…
Guarding Family Time
Typical day in the life of a family: The alarm clock goes off. Parents wake up children. Chaos ensues as family members fight for the bathroom, get ready and eat breakfast to be out the door on time.
10 Tips for Parents: Teen Pregnancy Prevention
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy has reviewed research about parental influences on children's sexual behavior and talked to many experts in the field, as well as to teens and parents themselves. From these sources, it is clear that there is much parents and adults can do to reduce the risk of children becoming pregnant before they've grown up.Presented here as "10 tips," many of these lessons will seem familiar because they articulate what parents already know f…