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Parenting Wars

Parenting Wars

Do or do not - there is no try. The ins and outs of one of the most difficult jobs on earth: parenting.

Divorce Through the Eyes of a Child
Divorce. It’s a scary word, it can strike fear into some, and for others it brings up old memories of a broken marriage and a broken home. To me, it reminds me of my early childhood. I don’t have many memories from when I was little, most of my childhood memories are from after the divorce of my parents.
By Miss. J9 years ago in Families
The Ultimate Potty Training Guide for Boys
Next to learning how to walk, one of the second most difficult leaps to climb for children is learning how to use the bathroom. This porcelain throne becomes an enemy, like their dreaded shoelaces or nail clippers. To them, graduating from diapers to potty trained is as stressful as it is for the parent. Remember, they're just children, not assholes.
By George Herman9 years ago in Families
Running All Day—Getting Nowhere
Some days, I get up to a clean kitchen, lunches made, the smell of coffee in the air, and I just know it's going to be a great day.
By Kristy Cuevas9 years ago in Families
30 Things I Know Right Now
That title is a little deceiving, because if I'm going to be honest with myself (and all of you), I know little to nothing about raising children. I've been doing it for only 2+ years. They're eight and three and I'm their guardian. While sometimes I blame this lack of "perfection" on not having a natural motherly instinct from being prego, and getting swollen feet, irrational cravings and feeling kicks and tumbles from that alien inside me... after being around the sun twice with these little gremlins (I mean angels), there are a few things I feel as though I have come to perfect.
By Lindsie Polhemus9 years ago in Families
Motherhood
Motherhood is something that I've always wanted to do and it's great!! I had my little one at 18 and don't regret it at all but then again who would.
By Catharine S9 years ago in Families
Empowering My Daughters
My job, my goal, is to raise my two daughters to be strong women, empower them, instill independence, morals, values, and never back down. To teach them to be passionate and go after what they want in life too. They can achieve anything they set their mind to. My husband has the same duties to them as me, but I feel it's a bit different being the mom to two girls than the dad. Seth is much more traditional than me, which can be a conflict in a society that is not usually traditional. Our daughters are Alina, age seven, and Catarina, age three.
By Lauren S.9 years ago in Families
How to Talk to Your Teen About Drinking
Drinking can be a hard subject to talk to your teen about because they most likely have different views on the subject than you, but it is crucial to know how to talk to your teen about drinking. Based on what kids hear from their friends they usually think drinking increases their social status and makes them seem like an adult. However, as a parent, you need to instill in your child the contrary. Advise them that alcohol not only has a destructive nature but is illegal. When you talk to your teen about drinking you should be strict with your expectations for them and be proactive in making sure they listen to you and don't engage in underage drinking.
By Alicia Springer9 years ago in Families
Best Ways to Help Out as a New Dad
Everyone always talks about “a mother's instincts” and how “mother knows best,” but what about Dad? Being a dad to a newborn baby is confusing, stressful, and can leave some lost. But here are a couple things you can do to bond with your baby, and help momma out, too.
By Natassja9 years ago in Families
I'm Still Hungry
My daughter is an unstoppable force; unfortunately, this means her stomach is nothing short of a black hole. It doesn't matter if she had a full three-course dinner that Gordon Ramsay himself would cry over; she will always come back within the hour and ask for a snack. This holds true for most kids I know, honestly, whether those kids are picky about what goes in their mouths or not. Most parents know the exasperation of finally getting everyone fed, and cleaning up the mess, just to hear the patter of feet that stop just behind you.
By Chandra Harrison9 years ago in Families
Better Children Make for a Better Future
In response to the mounting allegations against Harvey Weinstein, there has been a great deal of noise coming from “fathers of daughters” talking about how they love and respect women, how sexual predation is one of the greatest fears of any father, and how there is a need to protect their daughters from the evils of the world. And, while these are indeed admirable words, for me this raises some far more fundamental questions about how we raise our sons.
By Mark Williams9 years ago in Families
The Ultimate Potty Training Guide for Girls
As any overwhelmed, bloodshot eyed parent can attest to, potty training can be a messy ordeal. There's a sea of opinions and expertise out there preaching when your baby girl should begin potty training and how to potty train them. Keep calm parental units--you won't need to hold your child's hand in this forever. Deep breaths and here are some tricks to help you maintain your sanity and give your daughter the confidence to use the potty like a wiz-ard.
By Ellen Hornberger9 years ago in Families
The Mom Who Is Always Yelling
Today is a bad day. Why am I yelling so much? Did I sleep enough? Does it make me a bad mom? Am I a bad mom...? I yell so much lately that some nights my throat is raw from just trying to get my kids to stop hurting each other, me, or really just to listen. Excuses... that's all I see: my childhood maybe—it was rough, a lot more so than others; maybe it's just who I am—the mean mom who always yells at her kids....
By Kat Peirce9 years ago in Families