Demonstrate your love, compassion, and care while walking them through their challenges.
Children, like adults, were struck with a sudden bombshell when COVID-19 arrived on the scene. Everything changed abruptly. Think about it. One day, they’re at school and seeing their friends. The next day, they’re home for an extended period. They’re isolated. Their world changed: masks, loneliness, increased family time, canceled activities, etc. The structure, predictability,…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Untitled-1-01.png5001200Reggie Madisonhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngReggie Madison2021-07-12 13:00:332021-08-24 13:59:017 Strategies to Help Your Child Deal With Post-Pandemic Anxiety
Dear Dad, Can I ask you a question? When you found out you were going to be a dad, were there parts of you that thought, “I’m gonna crush this. Everything my dad wasn’t around to do, I’m gonna do, because I’m not gonna be like my dad…”? Or did you say to yourself, “I…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Untitled-2-01-1.png5001200Reggie Madisonhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngReggie Madison2021-07-06 11:29:572021-07-16 11:59:04A Letter to the Dad Who Didn’t Have a Dad (or a Good Dad)
It may take some time, but you will find your way.
JUMP TO: • Is It Even Possible to Be Confident as a First-Time Mom?• How to Shift Your Mindset And Become What You Believe• It’s Possible to Balance Trusting Your Intuition & Searching for Information• How to Stop Comparing Everything• Why Leaning on Another Supportive Mama Who Gets You is Crucial• The Bottom Line To…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/BLOGHEADER_143A4196-scaled.jpg14952048Tamara Slocumhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngTamara Slocum2021-06-25 12:21:002021-06-25 13:33:31How to Feel Confident as a New Mom
Conversations around alcohol can impact life or death situations.
Drinking is one of “those topics” that parents need to talk about with their teens. Here’s some help navigating this potentially difficult conversation. What’s potentially difficult? There are state laws and your house rules. Other parents (and therefore your teen’s friends) may have different rules about alcohol. Drinking is an activity where there is often…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-6-01-1.png5001200John Daumhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJohn Daum2021-06-25 10:09:192021-09-30 09:30:34How to Talk to Your Teen About Drinking
Talking about consent can help your son navigate the waters.
It’s hard to miss the headlines about people taking advantage of others, sex trafficking and lives being changed forever because someone made a decision without asking for or giving consent. In today’s world, parents feel the need to understand and explain consent to their children, but how should you even start that conversation? Is it…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-1-01.png5001200Gena Ellishttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngGena Ellis2021-06-24 12:06:102021-06-25 15:54:01How to Teach Your Son About the Importance of Consent
You can lay the groundwork for bigger talks in the future.
Our children are exposed to more screens than ever, beginning at a very young age. They are bombarded with digital content and exposure to ads, friends, and family members sharing who knows what. Not to mention the sneaky ways tech experts entice viewers to look at inappropriate images. (Check out PARENTING COURSE | Parenting In…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-14-01.png8542048Reggie Madisonhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngReggie Madison2021-06-18 12:16:502021-06-18 13:24:01How to Have the Porn Talk With Your Kids
These 5 things can help her protect, assert, and defend herself.
I’m a dad of daughters. And like other parents, I would do anything to protect my girls. Anything. From harm and from bullies. From being taken advantage of. And from pubescent boys with only one thing on their mind (and I’m not talking about video games…). But I also know I can give my girls…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-9-01.png8542048Chris Ownbyhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngChris Ownby2021-06-17 12:59:112021-06-18 15:59:19How to Teach Your Daughters The Importance of Consent
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 10:04:072022-02-17 15:57:17Conversation 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
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 09:40:072022-03-18 14:01:40Seven 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
7 Strategies to Help Your Child Deal With Post-Pandemic Anxiety
Children, like adults, were struck with a sudden bombshell when COVID-19 arrived on the scene. Everything changed abruptly. Think about it. One day, they’re at school and seeing their friends. The next day, they’re home for an extended period. They’re isolated. Their world changed: masks, loneliness, increased family time, canceled activities, etc. The structure, predictability,…
A Letter to the Dad Who Didn’t Have a Dad (or a Good Dad)
Dear Dad, Can I ask you a question? When you found out you were going to be a dad, were there parts of you that thought, “I’m gonna crush this. Everything my dad wasn’t around to do, I’m gonna do, because I’m not gonna be like my dad…”? Or did you say to yourself, “I…
How to Feel Confident as a New Mom
JUMP TO: • Is It Even Possible to Be Confident as a First-Time Mom?• How to Shift Your Mindset And Become What You Believe• It’s Possible to Balance Trusting Your Intuition & Searching for Information• How to Stop Comparing Everything• Why Leaning on Another Supportive Mama Who Gets You is Crucial• The Bottom Line To…
How to Talk to Your Teen About Drinking
Drinking is one of “those topics” that parents need to talk about with their teens. Here’s some help navigating this potentially difficult conversation. What’s potentially difficult? There are state laws and your house rules. Other parents (and therefore your teen’s friends) may have different rules about alcohol. Drinking is an activity where there is often…
How to Teach Your Son About the Importance of Consent
It’s hard to miss the headlines about people taking advantage of others, sex trafficking and lives being changed forever because someone made a decision without asking for or giving consent. In today’s world, parents feel the need to understand and explain consent to their children, but how should you even start that conversation? Is it…
How to Have the Porn Talk With Your Kids
Our children are exposed to more screens than ever, beginning at a very young age. They are bombarded with digital content and exposure to ads, friends, and family members sharing who knows what. Not to mention the sneaky ways tech experts entice viewers to look at inappropriate images. (Check out PARENTING COURSE | Parenting In…
How to Teach Your Daughters The Importance of Consent
I’m a dad of daughters. And like other parents, I would do anything to protect my girls. Anything. From harm and from bullies. From being taken advantage of. And from pubescent boys with only one thing on their mind (and I’m not talking about video games…). But I also know I can give my girls…
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…
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…
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