Nature vs. Nurture
What plays into our humanity? Nature vs. Nurture – how two factors affect one individual.
Why Reiki May Be The Answer For Your Colic Infant
We know Reiki may not be the first treatment that comes to mind for your colic infant. As a parent, maybe you've heard of this powerful ancient branch of energy medicine during prenatal yoga, on social media, or over dinner with your spiritual friend. And maybe you think it's a stretch to seek a Reiki practitioner to help heal your baby's uncontrollable colic crying. Think about it like this: if you’re part of the 1 in 10 adults who integrate complementary alternative medicine (CAM) into your own life through yoga, acupuncture, or meditation, why not look into a remedy that will treat the underlying imbalances of your baby’s colic condition, not just the symptom? Why not treat their stress like you’d treat your own?
Larell ScardelliPublished 6 years ago in FamiliesMy Top 5 Sensory Play Activities
I can’t quite believe that just over a year ago I became a mum for the first time. It is a truly amazing experience that nothing quite prepares you for. The amazing highs and shocking lows are all part and parcel of the parenting journey. Some days can be a challenge and others a complete enjoyment which makes you wonder how you thought it was challenging.
Charlotte FayPublished 6 years ago in FamiliesShitting on Icebergs
I stood there, crying — no. Sobbing, hysterically into my brother's chest. I'm 23 years old, and I stood barefoot in my front yard hyperventilating, shaking, trying to catch my breath.
S. Lily GraysonPublished 6 years ago in FamiliesI, Parent
I am a parent. Before I became a parent, I, like so many others, believed I understood — in some inherent way — what parenthood is. After all, I have parents; I am a son to parents.
Tim MatthewsPublished 6 years ago in FamiliesTo the Grandmother I Never Knew...
You didn't know me, and I didn't know you. We were merely strangers that shared DNA. The saying blood runs deep is both true and yet, a lie. You see, I will never live without you, even though I did live without you. I will never forget you, though from day to day, you were like a whisper rather than an actual presence in my life.
Jessie MelansonPublished 6 years ago in FamiliesStress at a Young Age?
Have you ever seen anyone that was so stressed out that they changed, including yourself? As I remember as being a young girl and helping my mom watch my younger brothers, I have seen it a lot in my family and friends to identify it. To see anyone you love go through harsh times is not fun to see nor tempting to bring out of the blue, mostly being at the age of four. Looking back, I had been affected and now look at me, my emotions take control of me more than it should.
Putting It Out TherePublished 6 years ago in FamiliesParenting Truth
Parenting is the process of promoting and supporting the physical, emotional, social, financial, and intellectual development of a child from infancy to adulthood. When people think of parenting, they picture changing diapers, messy feeding times, chasing them around a grocery store, little league, back to school shopping, or paying for school lunches.
Paige WhitakerPublished 7 years ago in FamiliesThe Expectations of Children
Parents or guardians expect a child to achieve specific goals in their life. If the child shows signs in their early childhood years that they are not heading toward the straight path to these life goals the parent or guardian can become terrified of the unknown and deem them a disappointment. Additionally, this child is often treated unfairly, isolated, and neglected by the same people who are supposed to support him or her with unconditional love and understanding; that they will not conform to the life that their parents expect. In The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, the main character Despereaux is a non-conforming individual who naturally is not born with the mice-like instincts that his mom, dad and two siblings ascribe to. His mother states very early in his childhood to “please look for crumbs. Eat them to make your mama happy. You are such the skinny mouse. You are a disappointment to your mama.” (Di Camillo, 18) Despereaux, being a non-conformed mouse, is expected to be like all the other mice and follow all of the mice rules. When he does not follow the rules she and the rest of the family fear that he will become a disappointment and shame the entire family. This leads to Despereaux’s brutal treatment, isolation and neglect. Why does his family treat him negatively? Their expectations of Despereaux are not met and therefore, they fear that he will bring shame to their family. The author explores the ways in which Despereaux is treated when his parents and siblings don't accept the rambunctious mouse.
Traveling From Heavenly PlacesPublished 7 years ago in FamiliesStaying Together for the Kids
I write this story because I am a child from a household that stayed together for the children. Growing up, I can remember never liking my father. Before I get to telling you why, let me tell you the little bit of the history I know of my father's past.
Audrey WoodsPublished 7 years ago in FamiliesMy Parents Weren't Scholars
My parents were not scholars. They were not socialites. They were not bright, optimistic, souls with hope for their futures. They were, in fact, kids who grew up too soon with ugly pasts and sad, sad scars, not knowing how to function in a hapless world that moved too fast for their liking.
Scotty FrenchPublished 7 years ago in FamiliesParenting Without Using Physical Punishment
As promised in my last article, I’d like to share some ways of parenting children without using physical punishment that I learned both as a parent and a grandparent. This article is not designed to change your beliefs about smacking children: if you believe physical punishment works, then my goal is not to change your opinion, because as I stated in my first article I too used to hit my children. However, I do believe there are many parents out there who are looking for an alternative way of raising their kids. This one is for you!
Mari-Louise SpeirsPublished 7 years ago in FamiliesI Am NOT the Adoptive Daughter Of...
My uncle and I stood awkwardly across from one another in the nursing home room. In between us, my mother lay dead in her bed; her mouth agape and the left side of her face blackened from a violent fall a few days prior. Her final expression was one of fear and discomfort and not one of the peaceful relief my father had conveyed when he passed away from cancer 26 years earlier.
Christine O'ReillyPublished 7 years ago in Families