advice
It takes a village to raise a family; advice and tips to make the most of yours.
Why I Moved Back in with My Parents
If you're reading this, you're most likely at the age where kids are expected to move out soon (or to have already moved out long ago), and wondering if you should or not. I can't tell you what to do—that's your prerogative—but maybe I can help you figure it out.
By Kjia Welte7 years ago in Families
The Letter. Top Story - October 2018.
Dearest Princess, By now, you are used to these letters. I must admit that I am not. Even though it is how we must communicate now, I struggle. With every word I write the desire to see your life unfold becomes stronger, and ridden with a passion I have never known. Its as if I can see the years playing out before me, shrouded in a foggy haze. It's like looking at brief glimpses of a clear picture as you turn the dial on a faulty TV set. The picture is static amid clarity; I know what lies ahead for you, but I am unable to see the final act. There are so many things your life is about to hand you. Difficult, beautiful, hard, simplistic, unreasonable, wild, passionate, calm, and wonderful adventures that will amaze you. I can't even begin to tell you how much life is meant to be enjoyed. I have a feeling you will complete the task effortlessly.
By Jody James7 years ago in Families
5 Things I Want My Baby to Know
1. You Will Find What You Look for The World can be a scary place. It can be an awe inspiring, overwhelming place too. There is such a huge scale variety of sickening, tragic things happening on a daily basis; so much loss, pain, destruction and cruelty dished out that it is enough to knock the breath from you and make you feel like never stepping outside again. The world also has within it natural phenomenon and natural beauty, acts of kindness and life changing moments so big they make you pull back from the moment and look at it with a mixture of wonder and amazement. Too often, feeling unable to cope with things or overwhelmed by things comes from too much of one perspective. We live in a time where information is available at the touch of a button, where we are more aware of things on a global scale, where a person living across the world is not a thing you ponder mysteriously, but someone you can search up and send a message to within minutes. This opens us up to possibilities, but also to a total onslaught of over-stimulating information. Your mind will grow on what you feed it. Take time to pull away when there is too much sorrow to wade through, and wrap yourself in comforting things when something seems too big to process. It's OK to unplug for a while, in fact it is necessary.
By Jaz Johnstone7 years ago in Families
25 Self-Care Ideas for the Busy Mom
So one question I always get it is what can I do to take care of myself? Another one is I can’t think of any self-care ideas. The ideas are limitless if you are creative. More important than what you do during your “me time” is how it makes you feel. If you are not a bath girl, then taking a bath is NOT going to make you feel relaxed. Don’t do things that you don’t enjoy just for the sake of self-care. Unless, it is things like going to the doctor and dentist, drinking enough water, moving your body in some way and eating a balanced diet. Those things are very important but are going to vary from person to person.
By Jessica McCarty7 years ago in Families
Dad of a Five-Year-Old
The life of a father to a five-year-old little diva is a lot more complex than you’d imagine, and I assume it’s only going to get more interesting. From the moment you first see your daughter being born, you just know she going to be daddy’s sweet little angel forever. This eventually fades and life comes quickly to burst your little bubble. The sweet, innocent, and loving phase last about as long as the flavor in chewing gum.
By Tony Campbell7 years ago in Families
Sleep: It's Important
Sleep. It is something that we all require and so many of us don't get nearly enough. When you have children, sleep is an elusive creature that rarely shows its face. Sometimes you feel like you've gone months without a good night's sleep. Some people will say years.
By Samantha Reid7 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?
By Tony Campbell7 years ago in Families
It's Okay to Just Let Them Play
When you think back to being a child, most of the happy memories that pop into your head are of things like your favourite toy, game or activity. For me it's making mud pies on the hill outside the house, riding my bike, sleepovers with friends, going to the woods, playing in the water and sandpit and playing make believe games. I recall a distinctly unique element to these things: being utterly carefree. There was no pressure to track my progress in any of these endeavors, no purpose needed to be explained. They existed simply for fun and I was allowed to immerse myself in them with no other desired outcome needed.
By Jaz Johnstone7 years ago in Families
5 Ways to Help Depression as a Mom
I will never ever regret having my beautiful daughter. When my boyfriend and I found out we were pregnant on the night of our friend's wedding, we were ecstatic. We were ready to have our family, and we were ready for all in entailed... Or so we had thought.
By Emmie Mayberry7 years ago in Families
When It Becomes Too Heavy
Domestic violence is like this country's dirty little secret. Everyone knows it is happening but, until it directly affects you or someone you love, it isn't talked about. There are many reasons why, such as embarrassment, shame, and even guilt; we are silenced. As little girls we are told that a boys is mean to you when 'he likes you' and that "boys will be boys." As we grow we are ingrained to accept that boys are rough, they can be mean, and that their affection can hurt. That is beyond unfair. He can't hurt you and love you at the same time.
By Aleea Whitmire7 years ago in Families
How to Come out to Homophobic Parents
1. Make sure you will be safe. When we think of coming out, we all tend to think of the worst case scenario first. Try to think what would realistically happen based off your relationship with your parents. If you have neglectful or abusive parents, it’s much safer to write them a letter or get another adult to help you. On top of this, if being kicked out is an actual threat, you should wait until you aren’t dependent of them. Once you’ve moved out they can’t do anything to you. They might also take you more seriously as an adult, rather than brushing you off as a teen going through a phase.
By Luka Seydoux7 years ago in Families
Panic Attacks and Triggers
Panic attacks are debilitating and can be humiliating to have others see. If you're around anyone else, you probably feel like they're staring at you and you're making a huge fool of yourself. All you want to do is curl up into a ball and disappear. And if it's your kids, you probably feel even worse. You feel like you're being a horrible mother, setting the worst example for them, and your mind is racing with every bad thing you could possibly think. But take a step back and breathe. Having a panic attack in front of your kids does NOT make you a horrible mother! It may seem like the worst thing ever, but you can and will get through it. Contrary to how it feels, it WILL be ok!
By Mariah Kelley7 years ago in Families
