Dad: “Hey bud, how was your day today?” Son: “Fine.” Dad: “Was it a good day?” Son: “Yep.” Son: “Can I go play now?” Have you had this conversation? We have… too often. After a couple of these, it was time to regroup and rethink how we created conversation with our kids. To get the…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-6-01.png10422500Mitchell Quallshttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngMitchell Qualls2021-06-16 10:04:072021-06-18 15:52:18Conversation Starters for Kids and Parents
I know I’m not the only one who finds the task of hunting down the “coolest” and most thoughtful Father’s Day present superbly difficult. Your challenge has probably been trying to find “The Thing” that perfectly encapsulates how amazing of a father your husband is. IMPOSSIBLE. Sure, there’s the Home Depot gift card, or the…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-4-01-1.png8542048Anna Reeves McCutcheonhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngAnna Reeves McCutcheon2021-06-15 14:13:532021-06-18 15:29:0610 Ways to Affirm Your Husband as a Dad
How you parent can strengthen the bond you have with your child.
When you first learn that you’re expecting a baby, you experience tons of thoughts, feelings, and emotions. If you’re honest, one of them may include sheer terror. You’re now responsible for the growth and development of another human being. NO pressure, right?! Maybe you’re like me: You went to a bookstore where you found shelves…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Baby-01.png8542048Gena Ellishttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngGena Ellis2021-06-09 12:43:272021-06-14 13:55:18What You Need to Know About Positive Parenting
The steps you take now will impact your connection in the future.
The goal of positive parenting is to build a deep, lifelong connection with your child. It’s the idea that while our primary role as parents may end when our children move out, we’re still a guiding presence in their lives. I don’t want to parent my children once they’ve stepped out on their own, but…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/BlogPic-PositiveParenting-01.png8542048Mitchell Quallshttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngMitchell Qualls2021-06-08 16:46:332021-06-25 10:11:455 Ways Positive Parenting Creates a Lifelong Connection with Your Child
Have fun with these conversation starters as you connect with your family by chatting it up with each other using these silly and serious questions! Topic 1: Family Describe our family in one word. What is your favorite family memory? What is your most memorable family holiday? The official food of our family would be……
You can have a strong, healthy marriage, even if you fight sometimes.
Having a new baby is amazing. And amazingly exhausting. You can always tell which parents have a newborn. They’re excited, but you can see the stress in their eyes. We’ve been there. When our son was born, he rocked our world. At times, we were so stressed and tired that the slightest frustration triggered an…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/BlogPic-01.png8542048Mitchell Quallshttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngMitchell Qualls2021-06-03 16:01:352021-06-09 09:58:49Help! We Just Had a Baby and Now We Can’t Stop Fighting
Knowing these things can make a HUGE difference in your parenting.
Parenting toddlers* can test your courage as a parent, adult, and otherwise mannerly person. As the parent of 5 retired toddlers, a current toddler, and an aspiring toddler, I’ve been tested quite a bit, and I’ve struggled. But, as billions of parents and I have learned, toddlers somehow make it to preschool age, sometimes despite…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/BlogPic-Toddler-01.png10422500Reggie Madisonhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngReggie Madison2021-06-03 09:40:072021-06-03 12:30:52Seven Things Your Toddler Wishes You Knew (Plus a Bonus)
Reduce the stress and increase your connection with these tips.
Me: “Ok, what’s on the calendar this week?” My wife: “We have two baseball games. I have to work late Tuesday. You have a PTA meeting Wednesday morning. Our friends invited us to dinner on Friday.” Me: “Ok, I have four runs scheduled. I forgot I have a dentist’s appointment on Tuesday afternoon. I’ll move…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/BlogPic-5-Ways-Kids-Can-Affect-Your-Marriage-01.png8542048Mitchell Quallshttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngMitchell Qualls2021-06-02 13:29:032021-06-03 11:57:365 Ways Kids Can Affect Your Marriage (& What to Do About It)
Give yourself permission to grieve at your own pace.
First of all, I’m truly sorry. If you’ve lost a child, my heart goes out to you. I hope these words will bring some kind of comfort or hope as you’re grieving the death of your child. It’s hard enough to try and understand death and grief. But when it comes to your own child…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/ChildLoss-scaled.jpg13672048Chris Ownbyhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngChris Ownby2021-05-28 16:33:122021-06-01 09:59:36Grieving the Death of a Child
You can build a foundation for their future right now.
Being a parent comes with great responsibility. It’s our duty and privilege to shape the next generation to be healthy and thriving. It’s not easy, but it’s doable. And there are positive parenting things we can do for our little ones now that will help prepare them to make good decisions, feel confident, and avoid…
We’re halfway through May, and that means graduation season. Students are graduating from high school and college and starting a new chapter in their lives. New opportunities are on the horizon. But as the students begin a new chapter, so do many parents. A graduating student means the nest is emptying or possibly empty. It’s…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Empty-Nest-Syndrome-01-2.png13092500Mitchell Quallshttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngMitchell Qualls2021-05-18 10:09:032021-05-27 09:07:398 Things Every Parent Needs to Know About Empty Nest Syndrome
Help your strong-willed child grow into the natural-born leader that they are.
My wife and I are blessed with two strong-willed children. I don’t say blessed lightly or sarcastically. While parenting strong-willed kids is challenging (Parenting, in general, is challenging, am I right?), I’m excited for what the future holds. So, what makes a child strong-willed anyway? Don’t all kids strive for independence and push boundaries? Don’t…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Strong-Willed-Child-01-2.png18762918Mitchell Quallshttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngMitchell Qualls2021-05-18 09:24:012021-05-27 09:10:35How to Parent a Strong-Willed Child
When it comes to celebrating motherhood, perfection is not the standard.
Parenting is difficult. Being a mother is especially difficult. Mothers often take or are given the responsibility for the success and/or failure of their children. So, mothers may feel disingenuous being celebrated. Mother’s Day, in particular, brings along its own set of expectations for moms. For some moms, Mother’s Day is a day to celebrate…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/front-view-mother-playing-home-with-her-daughter-scaled-e1619790757676.jpg414900Gena Ellishttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngGena Ellis2021-04-30 09:53:172021-05-11 10:24:17Mom, Here Are 5 Reasons Why You Should Be Celebrated
Adults in the child's life are essential to help them grieve in a healthy way.
Death is often a difficult topic to discuss. It’s even more challenging to consider how you can help a child through the death of a parent. No matter what age, the death of a parent shifts your foundation. Therefore, it’s even more critical to find ways to support and help a child grieving the death…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/jordan-whitt-KQCXf_zvdaU-unsplash-1-scaled-e1619560857668.jpg495899Gena Ellishttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngGena Ellis2021-04-27 18:01:102021-05-11 10:49:376 Things You Can Do to Help a Child Who Is Grieving the Death of a Parent
There are many common challenges and misunderstandings.
“In the English language there are orphans and widows, but there is no word for the parents who lose a child.” ~ Jodi Picoult Children bury their parents up on a hill. It’s the sad, natural cycle of life. But parents bury their kids deep in their hearts for the rest of their lives. Then,…
When each of my sons was born, I was ecstatic to add another person to our family. I thought about things we would do together, like buying matching outfits and taking family photos or trips together. I clearly remember one trip in particular. The boys were 11, 6, and 3. As we were driving to…
You can help them express themselves in healthy ways.
Eight years ago, my wife and I embarked on a journey. A journey with no map, no guidebook, and filled with mystery and surprise. A journey of blazing our own trails. You may know this journey… it’s called parenting. Now, here we are with two curious, fun-loving adventurers, one 8 and one 5. Both of…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4546116-scaled-e1618930313120.jpg387900Mitchell Quallshttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngMitchell Qualls2021-04-20 10:52:082021-04-28 10:17:504 Ways to Help Your Child Deal With Anger
There’s nothing easy about seeing your child experience grief. It’s hard enough for adults to process losing someone we love. So we often wonder how their little minds are handling something so hard to understand. How can you help our child out? First, you need to know a few things about grief and children. Grief…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ksenia-makagonova-9y6oH2qHai0-unsplash-scaled-e1617812473794.jpg20481365Chris Ownbyhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngChris Ownby2021-04-07 12:21:332021-04-13 12:07:26How to Help Your Child Deal With Grief
How they spend their time in front of a screen matters.
You’re a good parent. You wouldn’t call yourself one. You’re truly humbled by how much you don’t know about parenting. Sometimes you feel overwhelmed. Often, it’s like you’re flying by the seat of your pants. But you care. You’re trying hard at this parenting thing. So, you invest time in reading about health, nutrition, and…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/pexels-ola-dapo-3521937-scaled-e1617219512640.jpg321900John Daumhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJohn Daum2021-03-31 15:38:422021-04-13 11:45:303 Reasons To Let Your Child Have More Screen Time
Developing a framework can allow your family to prioritize what you value.
Every time I stand in line at the grocery store, I look at the magazines near the register. I often pick up one that has a headline about being organized on its cover. As someone who is not naturally organized, I’ve worked hard to understand the importance of being organized and having routines or schedules.…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cute-family-playing-summer-field-scaled-e1617045231528.jpg351900Gena Ellishttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngGena Ellis2021-03-29 15:14:052021-04-08 09:56:434 Ways Having a Routine Contributes to a Happy, Healthy Family
Conversation Starters for Kids and Parents
Dad: “Hey bud, how was your day today?” Son: “Fine.” Dad: “Was it a good day?” Son: “Yep.” Son: “Can I go play now?” Have you had this conversation? We have… too often. After a couple of these, it was time to regroup and rethink how we created conversation with our kids. To get the…
10 Ways to Affirm Your Husband as a Dad
I know I’m not the only one who finds the task of hunting down the “coolest” and most thoughtful Father’s Day present superbly difficult. Your challenge has probably been trying to find “The Thing” that perfectly encapsulates how amazing of a father your husband is. IMPOSSIBLE. Sure, there’s the Home Depot gift card, or the…
What You Need to Know About Positive Parenting
When you first learn that you’re expecting a baby, you experience tons of thoughts, feelings, and emotions. If you’re honest, one of them may include sheer terror. You’re now responsible for the growth and development of another human being. NO pressure, right?! Maybe you’re like me: You went to a bookstore where you found shelves…
5 Ways Positive Parenting Creates a Lifelong Connection with Your Child
The goal of positive parenting is to build a deep, lifelong connection with your child. It’s the idea that while our primary role as parents may end when our children move out, we’re still a guiding presence in their lives. I don’t want to parent my children once they’ve stepped out on their own, but…
100 Conversation Starters To Increase Your Family’s Connectedness
Have fun with these conversation starters as you connect with your family by chatting it up with each other using these silly and serious questions! Topic 1: Family Describe our family in one word. What is your favorite family memory? What is your most memorable family holiday? The official food of our family would be……
Help! We Just Had a Baby and Now We Can’t Stop Fighting
Having a new baby is amazing. And amazingly exhausting. You can always tell which parents have a newborn. They’re excited, but you can see the stress in their eyes. We’ve been there. When our son was born, he rocked our world. At times, we were so stressed and tired that the slightest frustration triggered an…
Seven Things Your Toddler Wishes You Knew (Plus a Bonus)
Parenting toddlers* can test your courage as a parent, adult, and otherwise mannerly person. As the parent of 5 retired toddlers, a current toddler, and an aspiring toddler, I’ve been tested quite a bit, and I’ve struggled. But, as billions of parents and I have learned, toddlers somehow make it to preschool age, sometimes despite…
5 Ways Kids Can Affect Your Marriage (& What to Do About It)
Me: “Ok, what’s on the calendar this week?” My wife: “We have two baseball games. I have to work late Tuesday. You have a PTA meeting Wednesday morning. Our friends invited us to dinner on Friday.” Me: “Ok, I have four runs scheduled. I forgot I have a dentist’s appointment on Tuesday afternoon. I’ll move…
Grieving the Death of a Child
First of all, I’m truly sorry. If you’ve lost a child, my heart goes out to you. I hope these words will bring some kind of comfort or hope as you’re grieving the death of your child. It’s hard enough to try and understand death and grief. But when it comes to your own child…
How Positive Parenting Impacts a Child’s Risk of Substance Abuse
Being a parent comes with great responsibility. It’s our duty and privilege to shape the next generation to be healthy and thriving. It’s not easy, but it’s doable. And there are positive parenting things we can do for our little ones now that will help prepare them to make good decisions, feel confident, and avoid…
8 Things Every Parent Needs to Know About Empty Nest Syndrome
We’re halfway through May, and that means graduation season. Students are graduating from high school and college and starting a new chapter in their lives. New opportunities are on the horizon. But as the students begin a new chapter, so do many parents. A graduating student means the nest is emptying or possibly empty. It’s…
How to Parent a Strong-Willed Child
My wife and I are blessed with two strong-willed children. I don’t say blessed lightly or sarcastically. While parenting strong-willed kids is challenging (Parenting, in general, is challenging, am I right?), I’m excited for what the future holds. So, what makes a child strong-willed anyway? Don’t all kids strive for independence and push boundaries? Don’t…
Mom, Here Are 5 Reasons Why You Should Be Celebrated
Parenting is difficult. Being a mother is especially difficult. Mothers often take or are given the responsibility for the success and/or failure of their children. So, mothers may feel disingenuous being celebrated. Mother’s Day, in particular, brings along its own set of expectations for moms. For some moms, Mother’s Day is a day to celebrate…
6 Things You Can Do to Help a Child Who Is Grieving the Death of a Parent
Death is often a difficult topic to discuss. It’s even more challenging to consider how you can help a child through the death of a parent. No matter what age, the death of a parent shifts your foundation. Therefore, it’s even more critical to find ways to support and help a child grieving the death…
Grieving Infertility and Miscarriages
“In the English language there are orphans and widows, but there is no word for the parents who lose a child.” ~ Jodi Picoult Children bury their parents up on a hill. It’s the sad, natural cycle of life. But parents bury their kids deep in their hearts for the rest of their lives. Then,…
How to Stop Sibling Arguments
When each of my sons was born, I was ecstatic to add another person to our family. I thought about things we would do together, like buying matching outfits and taking family photos or trips together. I clearly remember one trip in particular. The boys were 11, 6, and 3. As we were driving to…
4 Ways to Help Your Child Deal With Anger
Eight years ago, my wife and I embarked on a journey. A journey with no map, no guidebook, and filled with mystery and surprise. A journey of blazing our own trails. You may know this journey… it’s called parenting. Now, here we are with two curious, fun-loving adventurers, one 8 and one 5. Both of…
How to Help Your Child Deal With Grief
There’s nothing easy about seeing your child experience grief. It’s hard enough for adults to process losing someone we love. So we often wonder how their little minds are handling something so hard to understand. How can you help our child out? First, you need to know a few things about grief and children. Grief…
3 Reasons To Let Your Child Have More Screen Time
You’re a good parent. You wouldn’t call yourself one. You’re truly humbled by how much you don’t know about parenting. Sometimes you feel overwhelmed. Often, it’s like you’re flying by the seat of your pants. But you care. You’re trying hard at this parenting thing. So, you invest time in reading about health, nutrition, and…
4 Ways Having a Routine Contributes to a Happy, Healthy Family
Every time I stand in line at the grocery store, I look at the magazines near the register. I often pick up one that has a headline about being organized on its cover. As someone who is not naturally organized, I’ve worked hard to understand the importance of being organized and having routines or schedules.…
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