Parenting Wars
Do or do not - there is no try. The ins and outs of one of the most difficult jobs on earth: parenting.
9 Reasons Mom-Shaming Needs to Stop
I haven’t even given birth to my son yet and I have already been mom shamed for certain decisions I am making with my pregnancy, nursery, life as a mother, etc. I have always dreamed of being a mother and felt it was part of my reason for being. I didn’t realise how hard I would find pregnancy and the coming to terms with the fact it was actually happening. The life changing decision to have a child REALLY is a life changing one, every single person I know has had a different journey with parenthood, and it is time we stopped shaming people for doing things "differently" to our perceived perfect picture of parenting.
Samantha BentleyPublished 5 years ago in FamiliesWhy Helicopter Parenting Is Toxic
According to research from Grinnell College, helicopter parents tend to be too watchful over their children, overprotective, and even suffocating in the form of too much praise, gifts, and assistance.
Mike MavenfulPublished 5 years ago in FamiliesMaster the Art of Black Parenting with These 10 Tips
As a black parent, you’ve probably had more than your fair share of being stereotyped and misunderstood. It’s all cynical and tiring. You just wish there was a manual out there specifically for black parents; one that totally understood you and your situation. The fact that you’re a black parent means that your parenting style has to be specifically well-suited for black kids, and there really is nothing wrong with that.
Tiffany HarperPublished 5 years ago in FamiliesFour Major Blunders Parents Make During Holiday Travel with Kids...
You know what’s more stressful than traveling with kids? Traveling with kids during the holidays. Our kids are out of their routines. They’re faced with unfamiliar people and places. They’ve got to wait in long lines and eat weird foods. Heck, aren’t these the very same things that make adult travelers so irritable and impatient? And us poor parents are stuck in the middle, trying to balance our kids’ needs with our own sanity and the comfort of everyone around us.
Evie +SarahPublished 5 years ago in Families- Top Story - November 2018
What I Have Learned from My Child with Autism
I have a nephew who turned 12 recently and when he was diagnosed with autism, I started researching right away. I tried everything I could to understand what’s going on in his head and how to help him. I now have a 3-year-old son who also was diagnosed with autism June 6, 2018. With my previous experience with my nephew, I thought I knew everything I needed to know to work with a child with autism. The only thing having a nephew with autism helped me with was knowing the diagnosis was probable since my son was showing similar signs that my nephew did (I’ve suspected that my son has autism for over a year now but doctors brushed it off until this year when we had a neurologist officially diagnosis him with autism). I have learned so much from my son and I want to share it.
CinKay EspinozaPublished 5 years ago in Families Struggles of Being a New Dad
For a woman becoming a mom is a gradual thing because of the carrying of the baby. However, for a man, it's a bit more sudden in terms of the day you fully become a dad. It's almost as if you went from driving a Pinto to a Ferrari in 12 hours, except the Ferrari has a manual that is written in German. Especially when you come from a home that either has no father figure or a terrible one, so what does a man do to prepare for the day his life both ends and starts?
Tony CampbellPublished 5 years ago in FamiliesSuperMom
As mothers, there are certain things that we try and put out of our minds. The memory of childbirth, for instance, usually gets altered in some way. We reminisce about the day quite often, choosing to relive “every” detail to those who would rather be doing anything else but listen to our labor stories. However if you’re like me, you recount it as a happy experience. Let’s face it. After all the hard work is said and done (and cleaned up), you look into your baby’s face and forget all the gruesome life experiences leading up to that beautiful angel coming into the world.
Align and Incline Ash and IndiaPublished 6 years ago in FamiliesTrick-or-Treating with Autism
Towards the middle of October, the air becomes crisper and sweeter, and the moon seems brighter. Children everywhere start to get excited about Halloween. But for some kids, including many who have autism and other special needs, Halloween can be a stressful time. Their routines are thrown off. Things just feel different. They are suddenly being told they are supposed to do things they are usually not supposed to do, such as demanding candy from strangers. Some children may start to have behavioral problems or have a lot of anxiety as Halloween gets closer. Here are some tips for how parents and other caregivers can help kids have a happy Halloween.
Angel MannPublished 6 years ago in FamiliesWhy More Dads Should Take a Longer Paternity Leave
Any parent knows how exhausting and demanding taking care of a newborn is, and some have to face it all alone. Both moms and dads try to do everything they can to prepare, but there may be more for those who are wondering about parental leave and whether both parents will take it. For those in relationships and/or married, there are plenty of beneficial reasons why both partners should take some time off work (especially you dads!), and tips for those dads who are wondering how to do so.
Kara RigglemanPublished 6 years ago in FamiliesStepparenting for Beginners
Being a stepparent is the most difficult part of my marriage. I've known my husband since we were young children and we get along perfectly—well, most of the time. We communicate when something bothers us and we compromise with each other. And even before we were officially dating, I knew his son was always going to be part of him. His son is five now and officially being "stepmom" has come with more hurdles than I ever thought there would be. Hopefully these tips will help with some of your own hurdles.
Hali MoorePublished 6 years ago in FamiliesThe "Mom Shame"
When I was pregnant, people would ask what I planned to do with feeding for my baby. I would answer, "Half and half. I'd do half nursing, half bottle." Now, I wasn't quite sure what I would do with the bottle, I wanted to use breastmilk as much as possible, but if something were to happen and formula was needed then that would be okay, too... At least, that's what I thought.
Kaitlin LeePublished 6 years ago in FamiliesMotherhood
Well when I first found out I was going to be a mom, I was terrified that I wouldn’t feel the same way. I was only 22, just got married to my best friend, and I was ready to party with my girls on the weekends. That was the best thing in the world to me. Fast forward to today, 23 years old, still married to my best friend, but now we are raising a perfect son together. So, is it really the best in the world?
Taylor MartinPublished 6 years ago in Families