I was 5 and mad at my mom. I forget why. But I do remember I was packing my bags and hitting the road. In a rockstar parenting move, my unshakable mother began packing sandwiches for me to take on my run-away trip. “Whhattt?” you may scream. “How could she?? That’s so… mean… insensitive… emotionally…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/tim-mossholder-FIdkkBWmF7Y-unsplash-e1617038296336.jpg428900Chris Ownbyhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngChris Ownby2021-03-29 13:18:282021-03-30 09:45:05How to Be an Emotionally Safe Parent
These tips can help you navigate this trying time.
Every parent wants to see their children grow to live happy and successful lives. This is why it can be difficult to watch from the sidelines as their marriage is falling apart. Many parents have stayed up at night trying to think of how they can best help their adult children, or even if they…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/kelly-sikkema-DzgRvB-4Lrk-unsplash-scaled-e1615986227556.jpg244600Reggie Madisonhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngReggie Madison2021-03-17 09:03:572021-03-22 23:11:09What to Do When Your Child’s Marriage is Falling Apart
From the moment you announce your pregnancy, it seems like everyone offers you parenting advice. You’re inundated with opinions about everything from sleeping and the right kinds of diapers to preparing you for the terrible twos. (By the way, that actually lasts from 18 months until about 3. You’re welcome.) Actually, I believe there’s no…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/pexels-william-fortunato-6392803-scaled-e1615985855992.jpg235600Gena Ellishttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngGena Ellis2021-03-17 08:58:342021-03-22 22:41:04How to Deal with the Terrible Twos
You can help them navigate the world of online relationships.
Take a deep breath. You may have just realized that your child might be a cyberbully. Ugh. And now you’ve got to a) Find out if it’s true, and b) If it is, try to address it so that it stops. Whether you read a social media post, heard from another parent or teacher, or…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/daria-nepriakhina-_XR5rkprHQU-unsplash-scaled-e1615477364330.jpg288900Reggie Madisonhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngReggie Madison2021-03-11 10:42:552021-03-11 12:29:00I Think My Child Is Cyberbullying… What Do I Do?
Cyberbullying has been on the rise for a while, but it has escalated during the pandemic. And it’s no wonder, due to virtual school, increased technology, and the flexibility parents have been giving to digital boundaries. Our kids are highly active online. They’re digital natives. This is the world they are growing up in. Safety…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/pexels-rodnae-productions-6936070-e1614858302454.jpg344900Mitchell Quallshttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngMitchell Qualls2021-03-04 06:45:132021-03-09 08:58:00What to Do if Your Child is Being Cyberbullied
Before you had children, you may have seen the TV show, Kids Say the Darndest Things. If so, you might have thought your child would NEVER say anything like that. Then it happened. Perhaps you were horrified as you watched your sweet baby snatch a toy from a friend and scream, “MINE!” Or while pushing…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/pexels-anete-lusina-5240500-scaled-e1614347987459.jpg398900Gena Ellishttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngGena Ellis2021-02-26 09:00:032021-03-09 08:42:47How to Teach Your Child to Be Empathetic
Equip your child to handle their feelings with these tips.
I was a depressed child. It’s sort of a long story. But that part of my life prompted me to better understand mental health and how to prevent issues with depression, especially when it came to my own kids. Because let’s face it—when our children hurt, we hurt. And there’s a certain balance we have…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/chinh-le-duc-TV1QYUtTxJ8-unsplash-scaled-e1613488588858.jpg425900Chris Ownbyhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngChris Ownby2021-02-16 10:17:102021-03-01 14:02:31How to Prevent Depression from Affecting Your Child
Get ready to learn from and interact with people of many different cultures.
February 28th will come and go. Another Black History month completed. Your kids did a neat Black History project at school. You learned about Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, slavery, and Frederick Douglass. Now it’s back to normal. But you don’t want it to be. You want Black History month to positively impact how…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/pexels-emma-bauso-2833393-scaled-e1613485408894.jpg13672048Reggie Madisonhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngReggie Madison2021-02-16 09:23:392021-02-18 12:11:24How Your Family Can Celebrate Black History Month All Year Round
As a parent, you’re constantly looking for things that can harm your child. Remember the “baby-proofing” you did? If you’re anything like me, you actually got on the floor to scope out things that could potentially harm your little one. Well, as they grow, so does your intuition. Maybe you’ve got a “gut feeling” that…
Use this day to connect and make memories with your daughter.
Okay, just between us dads, let’s be real. For some of you, Valentine’s Day is, well, kind of enjoyable. That’s alright—no judgment here! But many guys see V-Day as a high-pressure hassle. Do I have to actually read the entire V-Day card before I buy it? Can I get away with carnations (the cheaper option)…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/AdobeStock_268604160-copy-e1613065838128.png7622048Chris Ownbyhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngChris Ownby2021-02-08 13:26:002021-02-11 12:50:595 Ways Dads and Daughters Can Celebrate Valentine’s Day
Deepen your parent-child relationship as you learn together!
If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that we are better together. 2020 exposed the continuing racial divisions we have in our country. But we can move forward and come together to learn about each other’s history and experiences. As parents, we’re in the best position to help our kids learn values, understand experiences, and…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/AdobeStock_267930036-scaled-e1612800097272.jpeg13652048Gena Ellishttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngGena Ellis2021-02-08 11:01:492021-02-09 11:50:17How to Talk to Your Child About Black History Month
Setting some limits can be a good thing for everyone.
Do you remember the first time you met your future in-laws? Was it important to you that they liked you, or did you even care? Did you dress to impress? Taking a walk down memory lane gives you a picture of how that relationship began. Once you got married, you may have thought your in-laws…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/AdobeStock_204871977-scaled-e1612380198200.jpeg321900Gena Ellishttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngGena Ellis2021-02-03 14:24:052021-09-23 19:02:21So, You Need to Talk to Your In-Laws About Boundaries
You and your daughter used to be “besties.” She was your princess; you were her knight in shining armor. Y’all were like peas and carrots, PB and jelly, Gronk and Brady… Then KABLAM! She turned into a teenager. Which resulted in radio silence… Been there, currently doing that, wearing the proverbial t-shirt at this very…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/AdobeStock_52390757-scaled-e1611611627126.jpeg13652048Chris Ownbyhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngChris Ownby2021-01-25 16:54:012021-01-25 17:24:26Five Reasons Teen Girls Stop Talking to Their Dads
We’re told there are two things we don’t talk about in life: politics and religion. The only problem is, this “rule” sets us up for failure when these topics come up in conversation. Inevitably, most of us don’t know how to talk about them in a healthy way. Children are exposed to endless amounts of…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/pexels-daria-obymaha-1684038-scaled-e1611086634536.jpg427900Mitchell Quallshttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngMitchell Qualls2021-01-19 15:04:082021-01-21 11:30:39How to Talk to Your Kids About Politics
Here are a few reasons you might feel this way—and what you can do about it.
Maybe when you started living with your in-laws, you didn’t think it would be all that bad. After all, they raised your spouse. But now, living with them feels like it’s destroying your marriage. Criticism. Judgment. Parenting critiques. Lack of boundaries. Arguments. Living with them seems to be impacting your marriage—not for better, but for…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/AdobeStock_204872376-scaled-e1596213516324.jpeg200453Reggie Madisonhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngReggie Madison2021-01-08 16:49:092021-09-21 14:53:40We’re Living With Our In-Laws and It’s Destroying Our Marriage
It’s hard to watch our teens feel insecure or see them lacking self-confidence. We want to encourage them to be more confident in themselves. So, we often have specific knee-jerk reactions to their insecurity. It’s easy to understand why. As parents, we… Want them to see themselves in all the wonderful ways we see them. …
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/warren-wong-u7dy-n4uZVk-unsplash-scaled-e1608559761910.jpg193600John Daumhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJohn Daum2020-12-21 09:09:402020-12-21 12:16:284 Ways to Encourage an Insecure Teen (And 2 Things Not to Do)
Parenting a teenager is easy, said no one, ever. But it can be easier if you know what to avoid.
When you became a parent, you were probably bombarded with “sage” advice for all the stages of parenting. Much of it you immediately threw away. There may have been a few statements that stuck in your psyche like: Just wait until they start walking. They will get into everything. Oh, just wait until they reach…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/pexels-any-lane-5727783-scaled-e1608040671602.jpg237600Gena Ellishttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngGena Ellis2020-12-15 08:58:012020-12-15 13:31:165 Mistakes Parents Make With Teens
It’s been a different kind of year, to say the least. You’ve changed, adapted, adjusted, and dealt with disappointments, uncertainties and the unexpected. But you made it. And as a family, you made it together. Here are 20 fun ways to end 2020 on a high note with your family. These ways will help you…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/pexels-any-lane-5727905-scaled-e1607437907972.jpg205600Reggie Madisonhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngReggie Madison2020-12-08 09:32:012020-12-14 20:15:2920 Fun Ways (And A Bonus) To End 2020 On A High Note With Your Family
The best advice is always in the comment section. It’s an adage that’s proven right over and over. Doesn’t even matter what kind of publication. So, I’m reading an article online by a national beacon of journalism about the things teens need most from their parents. Couldn’t wait to get to the comment section! Having…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/AdobeStock_274973022-1-scaled-e1607437307145.jpeg247600John Daumhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJohn Daum2020-12-08 09:22:052020-12-08 13:32:465 Things All Teens Need From Their Parents (From Parents Of Teenagers)
Here we are at Christmas, supposedly “the most wonderful time of the year.” Children are wide-eyed in anticipation, excitedly telling their parents what they want Santa to bring them. On the other hand, parents are reeling amid the pandemic with too many unanswered questions to count. Let’s don’t even talk about finances. Or the pressure…
How to Be an Emotionally Safe Parent
I was 5 and mad at my mom. I forget why. But I do remember I was packing my bags and hitting the road. In a rockstar parenting move, my unshakable mother began packing sandwiches for me to take on my run-away trip. “Whhattt?” you may scream. “How could she?? That’s so… mean… insensitive… emotionally…
What to Do When Your Child’s Marriage is Falling Apart
Every parent wants to see their children grow to live happy and successful lives. This is why it can be difficult to watch from the sidelines as their marriage is falling apart. Many parents have stayed up at night trying to think of how they can best help their adult children, or even if they…
How to Deal with the Terrible Twos
From the moment you announce your pregnancy, it seems like everyone offers you parenting advice. You’re inundated with opinions about everything from sleeping and the right kinds of diapers to preparing you for the terrible twos. (By the way, that actually lasts from 18 months until about 3. You’re welcome.) Actually, I believe there’s no…
I Think My Child Is Cyberbullying… What Do I Do?
Take a deep breath. You may have just realized that your child might be a cyberbully. Ugh. And now you’ve got to a) Find out if it’s true, and b) If it is, try to address it so that it stops. Whether you read a social media post, heard from another parent or teacher, or…
What to Do if Your Child is Being Cyberbullied
Cyberbullying has been on the rise for a while, but it has escalated during the pandemic. And it’s no wonder, due to virtual school, increased technology, and the flexibility parents have been giving to digital boundaries. Our kids are highly active online. They’re digital natives. This is the world they are growing up in. Safety…
How to Teach Your Child to Be Empathetic
Before you had children, you may have seen the TV show, Kids Say the Darndest Things. If so, you might have thought your child would NEVER say anything like that. Then it happened. Perhaps you were horrified as you watched your sweet baby snatch a toy from a friend and scream, “MINE!” Or while pushing…
How to Prevent Depression from Affecting Your Child
I was a depressed child. It’s sort of a long story. But that part of my life prompted me to better understand mental health and how to prevent issues with depression, especially when it came to my own kids. Because let’s face it—when our children hurt, we hurt. And there’s a certain balance we have…
How Your Family Can Celebrate Black History Month All Year Round
February 28th will come and go. Another Black History month completed. Your kids did a neat Black History project at school. You learned about Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, slavery, and Frederick Douglass. Now it’s back to normal. But you don’t want it to be. You want Black History month to positively impact how…
Is Your Child Depressed?
As a parent, you’re constantly looking for things that can harm your child. Remember the “baby-proofing” you did? If you’re anything like me, you actually got on the floor to scope out things that could potentially harm your little one. Well, as they grow, so does your intuition. Maybe you’ve got a “gut feeling” that…
5 Ways Dads and Daughters Can Celebrate Valentine’s Day
Okay, just between us dads, let’s be real. For some of you, Valentine’s Day is, well, kind of enjoyable. That’s alright—no judgment here! But many guys see V-Day as a high-pressure hassle. Do I have to actually read the entire V-Day card before I buy it? Can I get away with carnations (the cheaper option)…
How to Talk to Your Child About Black History Month
If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that we are better together. 2020 exposed the continuing racial divisions we have in our country. But we can move forward and come together to learn about each other’s history and experiences. As parents, we’re in the best position to help our kids learn values, understand experiences, and…
So, You Need to Talk to Your In-Laws About Boundaries
Do you remember the first time you met your future in-laws? Was it important to you that they liked you, or did you even care? Did you dress to impress? Taking a walk down memory lane gives you a picture of how that relationship began. Once you got married, you may have thought your in-laws…
Five Reasons Teen Girls Stop Talking to Their Dads
You and your daughter used to be “besties.” She was your princess; you were her knight in shining armor. Y’all were like peas and carrots, PB and jelly, Gronk and Brady… Then KABLAM! She turned into a teenager. Which resulted in radio silence… Been there, currently doing that, wearing the proverbial t-shirt at this very…
How to Talk to Your Kids About Politics
We’re told there are two things we don’t talk about in life: politics and religion. The only problem is, this “rule” sets us up for failure when these topics come up in conversation. Inevitably, most of us don’t know how to talk about them in a healthy way. Children are exposed to endless amounts of…
We’re Living With Our In-Laws and It’s Destroying Our Marriage
Maybe when you started living with your in-laws, you didn’t think it would be all that bad. After all, they raised your spouse. But now, living with them feels like it’s destroying your marriage. Criticism. Judgment. Parenting critiques. Lack of boundaries. Arguments. Living with them seems to be impacting your marriage—not for better, but for…
4 Ways to Encourage an Insecure Teen (And 2 Things Not to Do)
It’s hard to watch our teens feel insecure or see them lacking self-confidence. We want to encourage them to be more confident in themselves. So, we often have specific knee-jerk reactions to their insecurity. It’s easy to understand why. As parents, we… Want them to see themselves in all the wonderful ways we see them. …
5 Mistakes Parents Make With Teens
When you became a parent, you were probably bombarded with “sage” advice for all the stages of parenting. Much of it you immediately threw away. There may have been a few statements that stuck in your psyche like: Just wait until they start walking. They will get into everything. Oh, just wait until they reach…
20 Fun Ways (And A Bonus) To End 2020 On A High Note With Your Family
It’s been a different kind of year, to say the least. You’ve changed, adapted, adjusted, and dealt with disappointments, uncertainties and the unexpected. But you made it. And as a family, you made it together. Here are 20 fun ways to end 2020 on a high note with your family. These ways will help you…
5 Things All Teens Need From Their Parents (From Parents Of Teenagers)
The best advice is always in the comment section. It’s an adage that’s proven right over and over. Doesn’t even matter what kind of publication. So, I’m reading an article online by a national beacon of journalism about the things teens need most from their parents. Couldn’t wait to get to the comment section! Having…
What Your Child Really Wants for Christmas
Here we are at Christmas, supposedly “the most wonderful time of the year.” Children are wide-eyed in anticipation, excitedly telling their parents what they want Santa to bring them. On the other hand, parents are reeling amid the pandemic with too many unanswered questions to count. Let’s don’t even talk about finances. Or the pressure…
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