advice
It takes a village to raise a family; advice and tips to make the most of yours.
The Sh*t They Don't Tell You: Lesson 6
Battery Operated Frustration Christmas is just around the corner, my friends, and that means that all sorts of relatives are going to buy all sorts of toys for your youngins. From candy-filled stockings, to the sweaters that Aunt June knitted that they JUST HAVE TO try on, our kids are about to enter into a world of spoil. And yes, this includes what I like to call Battery Operated Frustration AKA those noisy ass toys that won't shut up.
By Tiffany Wade8 years ago in Families
Tips for Breastfeeding
Nursing your baby can be more difficult than you might think, so it can't hurt to pick up some tips for breastfeeding. You're a new parent, so you've got enough to be concerned about already, you shouldn't have to worry that your baby isn't getting enough breast milk on top of it all.
By Amanda Stamper8 years ago in Families
Healing From a Toxic Parent. Top Story - November 2017.
A toxic parent, by definition, is someone whose negative behaviour inflicts emotional damage on a child's sense of self. This negative behaviour can come in many forms (emotional, physical, ect...) but regardless of how the behaviour manifests itself, it can go on to affect a child throughout their entire life.
By The Talented Teapot .8 years ago in Families
The Sh*t They Don't Tell You: Lesson #5
Losing Your Shit. You're standing there, telling yourself that if you hear "Mommy!" one more time today, you're going to explode. You're crying on the bathroom toilet with a Snickers bar hanging halfway out of your mouth, knowing that if you hear one more request to watch that damned Paw Patrol episode, you're going to have yourself a conniption. You're rushing everybody out the door only to find your three-year-old standing in the room butt naked (but at least she has shoes on!) and YOU LOSE YOUR SHIT.
By Tiffany Wade8 years ago in Families
Learning for the Future
A few days had strung together consisting of our three-year-old, Ellis, becoming what I like to refer to as a demon child. For some reason, this demon seems to appear as soon as I get home from work. I understand that it's the end of the day and she is tired, which definitely has a huge control over any kid's behavior. What I began to realize, however, is the way it can control my own behavior. It instantly puts me in a bad mood, frustrated from being at work all day, driving in traffic, excited to see the wife and kids, yet having to now deal with her attitude. It's my own attitude that has led me down the path of spending my evening hours correcting her behavior and putting her on timeouts or threatening that some toy would be taken away. There's no way to reason with a pissed off toddler, no matter how calm you are as a dad, especially when they are just as stubborn and strong-willed as you are.
By Jeffrey Engelage8 years ago in Families
A Life Lesson From a 7 Year Old
It makes me sad when I realize how much we live in such a world of judgement. We as a society are constantly passing judgement on others about so many things, from the way that someone looks to how big their house is or how nice their car is. We judge the way that others make decisions and are so quick to share our opinions when we don't have any idea what has happened in their life to get them to where they are today. The biggest judgement that I have faced is how I parent, and I know that many are in the same boat. So what if my kids don't always match. I have let my girls dress themselves from the age of 2 because I want them to develop their own style and their own personality, not because I am too lazy to make them look like they are ready for a photo shoot. What does it matter if they stay in pajamas all day on a Sunday when we are just laying around watching movies for the day? Who wants to be uncomfortable when they are trying to relax? Yes, my kids brush their hair, but we don't spend our days scrolling Pinterest for 30 minute hair ideas just so that we again look like we are ready for a photo shoot. I have 4 girls. They all have their own personality and they all like different things. Sometimes they care about what they look like and sometimes they don't, and some judge me because of that. There are some moms that really want to spend hours on their kids outfit choices and hair styles, and that is ok. There are some moms that want their kids to earn straight A's in school, but I am ok with a C because I don't base their future only on grades in school, and again, that is okay. I am not saying that they are bad moms, but at the same time, I am also saying that I am not a bad mom either. My house tends to be a mess 90% of the time, but does that make me a bad mom? No. It means that I let my kids have fun and I am ok with clutter. It is who I am as a parent. It is the way that I parent. Yes, I make my kids do their chores and make them earn their cell phones being paid. I make my girls read for 30 minutes every single night during the school year. I punish them when they do wrong. I teach them to be independent. And yes, there are times when I struggle and wonder if I am doing things the right way. But is there a "right way?" I don't know that there is. As long as you are putting a roof over their head, does it matter how much that roof costs? As long as they have food to eat, does it matter that most, if not all, is generic? As long as they have a bed to sleep in, does it matter if they have to share a room? If they have clothes to wear, does it matter if they are from a thrift store rather than brand new and name brand? No. It does not matter at all. So why do we judge ourselves against one another so often? We ALL love our children, but show it in different ways, because we are different. A few months ago is when all of this really came to light for me. I was having a bad day because I had a busy day at work and had listened to others judge the way that I parent for a few days prior. I was cleaning out Reese's book bag and in it was a card that she had made. I opened it and read what was written by my beautiful 7 year old (I will write in correct form as there were spelling errors and I want my readers to understand). "I am sorry but you have been mean a couple days. I still like you, but you need to treat others the way that you want to be treated. Love you, Reese." I must have read this card 100 times. My 7 year old daughter made a card for her friend after an argument. Not only did she make her a card, but she is sharing a lesson with this friend and still says that she loves her at the end, even when this little girl was mean to her. THIS card is how I knew deep down, I am doing something right as a mother. It doesn't matter what other moms say or what outsiders think. In my mind, all moms have good days and they have bad days. The best thing that we can do is support each other and show love for one another because believe it or not, we are all on the same journey!
By Brandi Nicole8 years ago in Families
Be Glad You Still Have One
Child loss is a topic that too many parents have been forced to experience, whether it be through miscarriage, birthing complications, or a terrible childhood tragedy. However, one aspect of this that is rarely discussed is the loss of a twin. I am a mother of identical twin girls. One just so happens to be an angel. My pregnancy was far from the ordinary that occurred through unplanned circumstances. I was labeled high risk right off the bat simply for being pregnant with twins. Then hypertension was added on around my tenth week. Regardless of my health situation, I was still so excited to welcome two new lives into the world... only to have one of them taken from me days later.
By Gloria Fracasse8 years ago in Families
Benefits of a Live In Nanny
If you live a hectic life and have a young child, you should seriously consider hiring a live in nanny. They help relieve you of any duties concerning child care and live in your homes, which is very convenient so you don't need to worry about childcare mishaps occurring while you're at work or being crammed with chores. The nanny will be at your disposal on a daily basis and will often be around whenever you need them since they are living with you.
By Stephanie Gladwell8 years ago in Families
The Sh*t They Don't Tell You: Lesson #4
Turds in the tub! My children are on an absurdly strict bedtime routine. (Thank you, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder!) You know, it's the typical dinner, bath, book and bed routine, but with a lot more anal retentive steps that I just can't NOT do! (My kids would never survive the night without the scrubbing behind their ears, or the weekly Monday wax removal, c'mon!)
By Tiffany Wade8 years ago in Families
Importance of Tummy Time
Every new parent is eager to learn parenting tips and new things for their baby, because he/she only wants the best for the baby. How do babies sleep? What types of foods can you give them, when to stop breastfeeding, etc. From pediatricians, to close family members and friends, they're definitely the source of finding new ways to strengthen your baby. They can show and educate you on certain methods to strength your baby and allow them to gain new experiences.
By Rachel Blanchard8 years ago in Families
Parenting 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.
By Paige Whitaker8 years ago in Families
