Parenting Wars
Do or do not - there is no try. The ins and outs of one of the most difficult jobs on earth: parenting.
Tiger Mother
Every type of society has its own unique parenting norms, its own set of rules regarding what is and what is not an appropriate way of parenting. One of the more prominent parenting styles is traditional Chinese, or as some call it, “tiger mom.” This type of parenting involves strict rules and extremely high expectations. Recently, stories of this Chinese style parenting have emerged thanks to a memoir written by Amy Chua. In her memoir, Chua describes her experience as a parent and her views on being a tiger mother. But those views were questioned by many claiming that being so harsh would have harmful effects on children. Although Chua makes a strong argument for Chinese-style parenting, the style can diminish a child’s physical and mental wellbeing. Amy Chua’s parenting style hinders childrens’ exploration of interests, confidence and charm, ability to perform in a social setting, and sense of individuality.
By Samantha Brett9 years ago in Families
Happy Momma
One of the most important things I’ve learned since becoming a mom is that it is essential to look out for your own happiness. Everyone is always going to be expecting something from you. You are going to feel guilty. You are going to feel busy. You are going to be worried that you’re going to miss out on something. But I promise you, nothing is as important as learning to take care of yourself.
By Lauren Crawford9 years ago in Families
How To Keep Your Children Safe from Online Predators
I’m writing this because I was a victim of an online predator and I would never wish what I went through on my worst enemy. It’s been seven years and it still festers in my mind. Everything he said, everything he did; I live with it constantly.
By Jessie Karl Williams9 years ago in Families
Why I Would Put My Child in Daycare Even If I Didn't Work
I sobbed, like most mothers out there, all the way home the first time I dropped my son off at daycare. Ugly, can’t catch your breath sobs. When I was leaving and was holding back tears, a woman made a comment “First time huh?” I could only nod. While it was a day I still wouldn’t go back to, how oddly grateful I am that my husband and I were forced to be put in that situation where our son had to go to daycare.
By Tiffany Williams9 years ago in Families
Bad Parenting
I am a single mom. My day begins and ends with picking up toys. Harry the Bunny's theme song is stuck in my head for 90 percent of the morning. My "me time" consists of a bubble bath where I'm turning the water off every five minutes to listen for crying. Why? Why is this my life at 24 years old? Because I was a fucking idiot and had sex with an even bigger idiot. But he was "the one" and we were going to be together forever. Even though we weren't really together and instead of paying me child support this month he decided to take a vacation outside of the country. As soon as that test turned positive he turned into a positive asshole. Not that that stopped me from trying to get him to be a dad or sleep with him when I was drunk... but we all make mistakes, right? Just took me almost four years to learn that he was a mistake. Sorry dad, you were right. He's a loser. I did get one good thing out of those somewhat wasted years though: our daughter is pretty fucking amazing. I have no idea what I would do without her. I also have no fucking idea what I'm doing with her.
By Michelle Schultz9 years ago in Families
The Toddler Poop Stage
Poop: that's what I am dealing with right now. This stage of toddler life, what I have deemed "The Toddler Poop Stage," is crappy for sure. For those that don't have kids (there are days I envy you), allow myself to explain... so that one day, should you conform to the social norm and have those babies, you can make special arrangements to ship them to Grandma's for a month or three.
By Ashley Vadood9 years ago in Families
Too Tired to Pretend
I am a stay-at-home mom of two, if you include my husband, three kids. Let me start off by saying that we have a very traditional household. My husband goes to work for 10-12 hours a day. He has a very hard, dangerous, high stress job, and by the time he gets home, he's tired, stressed, and ready to relax. I, myself, never had a good paying job. We decided long ago that if and when we had kids, that I would stay home with them because my working wouldn't be worth the money we'd have to pay for childcare. I was happy with this because I wasn't ever one to "want" to work anyway. His job pays enough that we can live comfortably, so what's the point? I'd rather spend the time raising our children than having someone else do it anyway.
By K.B. Andrews9 years ago in Families
Get Organized!
If you had told me a few years ago that I would become a mother at the age of 18, I probably would have laughed at you. In fact, even now I sometimes find my current life situation hard to believe. My life now consists of diapers (36 a day to be exact), nine or ten bottles, 12 sippy cups, and lots of naps. I have a two-year-old son, a one-year-old son, and a daughter who is a month old as I am writing this. Life can get pretty crazy in my house, I'm a stay at home mom whose main role in life is "mom." It can be easy to let yourself become overwhelmed if you have one kid, let alone three, so here's how this momma survives.
By Jessica Feral9 years ago in Families
Why My Son Lost Christmas this Year
My son has lost Christmas this year. Yes. You read me right. My son isn’t getting to celebrate Christmas. Before you get angry, take a moment to find out why. My son is very ungrateful. I have been using GameStop’s layaway program and scrimping and saving for an expensive present for him. $300 dollars worth. Something that I normally wouldn’t have been able to afford. I love my son dearly, and I want to see him happy. He has ADHD. What most people don’t realize about ADHD children is that electronics make them happy. They thrive on electronics. Everything electronics. His whole world revolves on electronics. I moderate his electronic time. Most of the time he does amazing. His behavior is very well managed when he is able to earn electronic time. He wanted a Nintendo Switch for Christmas. I knew that would make him very happy. I was buying it for him.
By Deena Hayes9 years ago in Families
