Like most families, the Whittaker family kept a pretty fast pace with three active children. Several years ago, an experience caused them to press the pause button.“We were in the car with our three children when Beyonce’s Single Ladies came on the radio,” said Carlos Whittaker, author of Moment Maker. “Our children started singing it and I started videoing the moment.
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/MakingTheMostOfEachMoment-e1584108456203.jpg6961083Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-10-02 00:00:002020-03-13 10:08:01Making the Most of Each Moment
Perhaps you've heard of Brock Allen Turner. He's the Stanford University student who was found guilty of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman who had been at an on-campus party in January 2015.The story initially made the news when two graduate students riding their bikes across campus witnessed the scene unfolding and came to the woman’s aid. The two called police and held Turner at the scene until they arrived.While the jury found Turner guilty on all counts, the judge only s…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/4WaysYouCanModelResponsibilityandAccountability.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-10-02 00:00:002020-03-13 10:05:024 Ways You Can Model Responsibility and Accountability
Do you remember your young adult years? You know, the times when you ate Ramen noodles and searched for spare change beneath the couch cushions and between the car seats because you were a starving student or just starting a new job.There is nothing like knowing you are just barely making it – but still surviving – on your own. Looking back, you may realize those hard years helped you appreciate what you now have.The landscape looks vastly different than it did twenty years ago.According to a 20…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/YoungAdultsLivingWithTheir-Parents.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-10-02 00:00:002020-03-13 10:03:35Young Adults Living with Their Parents
In 1999 in Hamilton County, there were 240 teens between the age of 10 and 17 who became pregnant.Compare that to 98 teens in the same age range in 2013, according to the Tennessee Department of Health. It's a 59 percent decrease in unwed teen pregnancies. Even in the 18-to 19-year-old age group, pregnancies have dropped from 470 in 1999 to 244 in 2013, a stunning 48 percent decrease.This is good news… sort of.The people of Hamilton County are definitely doing some things right i…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/pregnant_Impact-of-Teen-Childbearing.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-10-02 00:00:002020-03-13 10:01:54The Impact of Teen Childbearing
When summer approaches many youngsters get excited and look forward to attending camps. And many middle-schoolers are pleading their case for staying home alone.But exactly how old is old enough?Surprisingly, only three states have laws regarding a minimum age for leaving a child home alone. Basically, the parent decides if their child is mature enough to be unsupervised at home.Many parenting experts agree that it is not a good idea to leave a child under the age of 9 home alone, but how do you…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Home-Alone-724223-scaled.jpg20482048Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-10-02 00:00:002020-03-13 09:59:46Should Your Child Stay Home Alone?
The summer months offer a unique opportunity for families to escape the rat race, enjoy each other’s company and make great memories together.Instead of business as usual and letting others determine your summer schedule, consider making your own agenda – one that’s full of adventure and fun. This might sound like a pipe dream, but many families know it doesn’t have to be just wishful thinking.Your first step to summer fun is to consider all of your options. It’s easy to take for granted what is…
The movie Courageous tells the story of four men with one calling: to serve and protect. As confident and focused law enforcement officers, they stand up to the worst the streets have to offer. Yet at the end of the day, they aren’t truly prepared to tackle the challenge of fatherhood.
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/CourageousAMovieAboutFathers.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-10-01 00:00:002020-05-15 12:15:40Courageous: A Movie About Fathers
There are some very positive trends going on among teens. That’s according to the CDC 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which examines youth and their engagement in risky behaviors,The survey sampled public and private schools with students in at least one of the grades ninth through 12th in the 50 states (4,138 in Tennessee) and the District of Columbia.The results indicate:Fewer teens are drinking.Teen smoking is at its lowest level since 1991.Less teens are involved in physical fighting.The pe…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/FewerTeensAreHavingSex.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-09-26 00:00:002020-03-13 08:44:11Fewer Teens are Having Sex
Dad, don’t forget an important woman in your life on Valentine’s Day – your daughter.It’s never too early to establish a Valentine’s tradition to express your love to your daughter. A father’s love profoundly impacts a girl, and many believe that a woman takes her relationship with her father (good or bad) to the grave.The father/daughter relationship plays an integral role in a young girl's life. It can even give her the self-confidence to deal with chall…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/DadsDaughtersValentinesDay.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-09-25 00:00:002020-03-13 21:38:43Dads, Daughters and Valentine’s Day
Dr. Warren Farrell, psychologist and author of Father Child Reunion, was intrigued with why children with active fathers do so well. In an attempt to better understand it, he spent more than a decade analyzing worldwide research.“I knew when I started this research that dads were important, but I had no idea how important,” says Farrell.
The pressures of fatherhood are great. On any given day, balancing work and family, finances and discipline usually rank at the top of the issue list. For years, our culture has told men that being a good provider equates to being a good dad.
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/KidsNeedTheirDaddy-e1584102838956.jpg7561400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-09-25 00:00:002020-03-13 08:34:25Kids Need Their Daddy
Dr. Nita Shumaker, pediatrician and president of the Tennessee Medical Association, is on a mission. When she’s not seeing patients, she’s spreading the word about the danger of opioid use and its impact on people everywhere.“There were 64,000 deaths in the U.S.
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Teens-and-Opioids-redd-angelo-11901-1-1.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-09-25 00:00:002020-03-13 08:31:29What You Should Know About Teens and Opioids
Thousands of children will soon make the transition from preschool or home to kindergarten. Some children will look forward to this moment with great anticipation, but others may experience some anxiety about leaving familiar surroundings. Regardless of how your child is feeling, parents play a powerful role in helping make the transition a smooth one.Timing Is EverythingNow is the time to begin emotionally preparing your child (and yourself) for this new phase in life.
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/WaystoPrepareYourChildforKindergarten.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-09-25 00:00:002020-03-13 08:23:24Ways to Prepare Your Child for Kindergarten
Have you ever awakened in the middle of the night and checked for email or text messages? If so, chances are good that your kids have, too.The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) 2014 Poll revealed interesting findings when it comes to families and their sleep patterns. Of those surveyed:89% of adults and 75% of children have at least one electronic device in their bedrooms.
Think back to summers when you were a kid. You might recall getting up, doing a few chores and then heading outside to play, only taking a break for lunch. Your mom or dad’s call for dinner was probably met with complaints about coming inside.In an informal survey of adults about their childhood summer memories, people recalled catching fireflies, climbing trees, fishing and playing outside with friends.
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/SummerScreenTimeOrMemories.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-09-15 00:00:002020-10-14 11:57:52Summer: Screen Time or Memories
Do you remember when the only television at home was in the family room? Or when your family traveled in the car and everybody looked for license plates from all 50 states? Now, practically every vehicle has a DVD player and every home has several televisions.
When you're out and about, chances are good that you'll see people walking around playing Pokémon Go on their phones. The best estimate is around 9.5 million people are leaving the comforts of home and braving the intense summer heat to play this game on a daily basis.Some complain about the gaming app for various reasons – people coming on private property, those who are distracted and walk into crowded intersections, the driver who hit a parked police cruiser while trying to cat…
In addition to sending her own two sons to college, Rose-Marie Hippler helps hundreds of families get ready for the college sendoff."Having been through this personally as well as professionally, I bring experience and expertise to parents and their young adults as they leap into the next phase of life," says Hippler, who has a master's of social work and is an independent educational consultant at Winter Park College Consultants."There are usually a lot of emotions stirring a…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Sending-Your-Child-to-College-1.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-09-14 00:00:002020-05-15 10:22:44A Checklist for Sending Your Child to College
For more than 40 years, Lynn and Pat Panter have been hosting family dinner on Sundays."It's funny, this is just something we have always done," says Lynn Panter. "When our children were little, we had Sunday dinner. As they got older, we kept on doing it.
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/The-Value-of-Family-Meals-1.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-09-14 00:00:002020-05-15 12:19:22The Value of Family Meals
Is it possible that a skinned knee, failure on a test and not planning your child’s life completely is really a good thing? Dr. Wendy Mogel, clinical psychologist and author of The Blessing of the Skinned Knee and The Blessing of a B Minus, would say yes.”The biggest problem I see today is that loving, devoted parents, armed with good intentions, treat their children like royalty,” says Mogel.
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Blessing-of-the-Skinned-Knee.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-09-14 00:00:002020-03-13 07:54:32The Blessing of the Skinned Knee
Making the Most of Each Moment
Like most families, the Whittaker family kept a pretty fast pace with three active children. Several years ago, an experience caused them to press the pause button.“We were in the car with our three children when Beyonce’s Single Ladies came on the radio,” said Carlos Whittaker, author of Moment Maker. “Our children started singing it and I started videoing the moment.
4 Ways You Can Model Responsibility and Accountability
Perhaps you've heard of Brock Allen Turner. He's the Stanford University student who was found guilty of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman who had been at an on-campus party in January 2015.The story initially made the news when two graduate students riding their bikes across campus witnessed the scene unfolding and came to the woman’s aid. The two called police and held Turner at the scene until they arrived.While the jury found Turner guilty on all counts, the judge only s…
Young Adults Living with Their Parents
Do you remember your young adult years? You know, the times when you ate Ramen noodles and searched for spare change beneath the couch cushions and between the car seats because you were a starving student or just starting a new job.There is nothing like knowing you are just barely making it – but still surviving – on your own. Looking back, you may realize those hard years helped you appreciate what you now have.The landscape looks vastly different than it did twenty years ago.According to a 20…
The Impact of Teen Childbearing
In 1999 in Hamilton County, there were 240 teens between the age of 10 and 17 who became pregnant.Compare that to 98 teens in the same age range in 2013, according to the Tennessee Department of Health. It's a 59 percent decrease in unwed teen pregnancies. Even in the 18-to 19-year-old age group, pregnancies have dropped from 470 in 1999 to 244 in 2013, a stunning 48 percent decrease.This is good news… sort of.The people of Hamilton County are definitely doing some things right i…
Should Your Child Stay Home Alone?
When summer approaches many youngsters get excited and look forward to attending camps. And many middle-schoolers are pleading their case for staying home alone.But exactly how old is old enough?Surprisingly, only three states have laws regarding a minimum age for leaving a child home alone. Basically, the parent decides if their child is mature enough to be unsupervised at home.Many parenting experts agree that it is not a good idea to leave a child under the age of 9 home alone, but how do you…
Summertime Family Adventures
The summer months offer a unique opportunity for families to escape the rat race, enjoy each other’s company and make great memories together.Instead of business as usual and letting others determine your summer schedule, consider making your own agenda – one that’s full of adventure and fun. This might sound like a pipe dream, but many families know it doesn’t have to be just wishful thinking.Your first step to summer fun is to consider all of your options. It’s easy to take for granted what is…
Courageous: A Movie About Fathers
The movie Courageous tells the story of four men with one calling: to serve and protect. As confident and focused law enforcement officers, they stand up to the worst the streets have to offer. Yet at the end of the day, they aren’t truly prepared to tackle the challenge of fatherhood.
Fewer Teens are Having Sex
There are some very positive trends going on among teens. That’s according to the CDC 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which examines youth and their engagement in risky behaviors,The survey sampled public and private schools with students in at least one of the grades ninth through 12th in the 50 states (4,138 in Tennessee) and the District of Columbia.The results indicate:Fewer teens are drinking.Teen smoking is at its lowest level since 1991.Less teens are involved in physical fighting.The pe…
Dads, Daughters and Valentine’s Day
Dad, don’t forget an important woman in your life on Valentine’s Day – your daughter.It’s never too early to establish a Valentine’s tradition to express your love to your daughter. A father’s love profoundly impacts a girl, and many believe that a woman takes her relationship with her father (good or bad) to the grave.The father/daughter relationship plays an integral role in a young girl's life. It can even give her the self-confidence to deal with chall…
Why Fathers Matter
Dr. Warren Farrell, psychologist and author of Father Child Reunion, was intrigued with why children with active fathers do so well. In an attempt to better understand it, he spent more than a decade analyzing worldwide research.“I knew when I started this research that dads were important, but I had no idea how important,” says Farrell.
Kids Need Their Daddy
The pressures of fatherhood are great. On any given day, balancing work and family, finances and discipline usually rank at the top of the issue list. For years, our culture has told men that being a good provider equates to being a good dad.
What You Should Know About Teens and Opioids
Dr. Nita Shumaker, pediatrician and president of the Tennessee Medical Association, is on a mission. When she’s not seeing patients, she’s spreading the word about the danger of opioid use and its impact on people everywhere.“There were 64,000 deaths in the U.S.
Ways to Prepare Your Child for Kindergarten
Thousands of children will soon make the transition from preschool or home to kindergarten. Some children will look forward to this moment with great anticipation, but others may experience some anxiety about leaving familiar surroundings. Regardless of how your child is feeling, parents play a powerful role in helping make the transition a smooth one.Timing Is EverythingNow is the time to begin emotionally preparing your child (and yourself) for this new phase in life.
Kids are Losing Sleep
Have you ever awakened in the middle of the night and checked for email or text messages? If so, chances are good that your kids have, too.The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) 2014 Poll revealed interesting findings when it comes to families and their sleep patterns. Of those surveyed:89% of adults and 75% of children have at least one electronic device in their bedrooms.
Summer: Screen Time or Memories
Think back to summers when you were a kid. You might recall getting up, doing a few chores and then heading outside to play, only taking a break for lunch. Your mom or dad’s call for dinner was probably met with complaints about coming inside.In an informal survey of adults about their childhood summer memories, people recalled catching fireflies, climbing trees, fishing and playing outside with friends.
How Technology Affects Families
Do you remember when the only television at home was in the family room? Or when your family traveled in the car and everybody looked for license plates from all 50 states? Now, practically every vehicle has a DVD player and every home has several televisions.
Pokemon GO!
When you're out and about, chances are good that you'll see people walking around playing Pokémon Go on their phones. The best estimate is around 9.5 million people are leaving the comforts of home and braving the intense summer heat to play this game on a daily basis.Some complain about the gaming app for various reasons – people coming on private property, those who are distracted and walk into crowded intersections, the driver who hit a parked police cruiser while trying to cat…
A Checklist for Sending Your Child to College
In addition to sending her own two sons to college, Rose-Marie Hippler helps hundreds of families get ready for the college sendoff."Having been through this personally as well as professionally, I bring experience and expertise to parents and their young adults as they leap into the next phase of life," says Hippler, who has a master's of social work and is an independent educational consultant at Winter Park College Consultants."There are usually a lot of emotions stirring a…
The Value of Family Meals
For more than 40 years, Lynn and Pat Panter have been hosting family dinner on Sundays."It's funny, this is just something we have always done," says Lynn Panter. "When our children were little, we had Sunday dinner. As they got older, we kept on doing it.
The Blessing of the Skinned Knee
Is it possible that a skinned knee, failure on a test and not planning your child’s life completely is really a good thing? Dr. Wendy Mogel, clinical psychologist and author of The Blessing of the Skinned Knee and The Blessing of a B Minus, would say yes.”The biggest problem I see today is that loving, devoted parents, armed with good intentions, treat their children like royalty,” says Mogel.