advice
It takes a village to raise a family; advice and tips to make the most of yours.
A Father's Daughter
I'm going to admit something very big. I was a daddy's girl. But then I grew up. Dads are so important for little girls, it shows them how a man is to treat them, how they are loved, and sets up relationship boundaries that help them prevent getting stuck in the most unsuccessful kinds of relationships. It also means that they have a friend and a life coach.
By Heather Wilkins6 years ago in Families
Life as a Stay at Home Mom/Housewife
Being a stay at home mom/housewife isn't as easy as it seems. Since the fact that you aren't bringing money home to pay bills and other stuff, there are other responsibilities that you have that are different than a mom or wife that actually have a job.
By Katherine M.6 years ago in Families
Dads: Bodysurf with Your Kids
New dads and old seasoned veterans alike. Grandpas and uncles and anything else in between. I'm not wise by any chance, I am just a daughter of a regular American dad, but I have one thing to say to you and one thing only: surf with your kids.
By Lauren Day6 years ago in Families
Get in the Picture!
When visiting my parents house, it's easy to find a row of photo albums standing proudly on their bookshelf. There's a big box of photos, all in their paper envelopes, tucked in the cupboard. All of these photos are dated and were neatly organised by my mum. There are a plethora of photos of my Brother and I as babies, pictures of us as toddlers doing activities together, pictures of Christmas's and family holidays spent together. The entire dining room wall is a collage of my wedding pictures, my husband and I, my Brother and his girlfriend and various other combinations. There's a small photo frame on my mum's desk with a lovely picture of my dad in it, a picture of my dad hangs in the kitchen and the living room has various photo frames which once had pictures of my Dad going down a water slide on holiday with us, which have now been replaced with little pictures of my children. Photographs adorn the walls and surfaces of my parents house, a constant reminder of all the experiences that built a home piece by piece. Evidence that this family grew here, all around you are memories you can reach out and touch. I myself have taken after this; our walls have pictures of our family on them and I am slowly building my own collection of photo albums for the kids to look at when they are older. The thing is, when visiting my parents house, you are hard pressed to find many pictures of my mum. Sure, she's in the wedding pictures, but she didn't really have much of a choice there! The times she looks at a photo that she is in, it is usually a smile followed by a sigh as she picks herself apart. She can see the happiness and beauty when looking at any one of her loved ones, but spares any such kindness and nostalgia for herself, seeing instead all the things that she would change. Despite the fact that my mum was an ever present feature of our childhood, our childhood pictures are mostly with my dad. She bathed and dressed us, planned things for us, organised friends visits, fed us, did homework with us and moulded herself around us completely as mothers so often do. Even when working a demanding job, she tucked note cards into my bag and gave me trinkets like hug tokens (which I still hold dear). She was always there and yet somehow always invisible. When I had my kids, I realised I had started to do the same. I didn't want to be in pictures, preferring instead to take lots of photos of my kids with my husband. Don't get me wrong, I think it's wonderful to have lots of treasured memories with him, but why was I so adamant to be out of the picture? I'm a stay at home mum, I spend almost all of my life with them and they truly are my biggest source of joy. I realised that I was doing what we so often do and viewing myself as an unfinished project. Once my hair is better, if I was wearing makeup, once I've lost weight, if I was prepared for a photo. The list goes on. All reasons I gave myself of why I would ruin a photo. Something happened when I had kids, something which I think happens for a lot of people. I realised that my mum isn't a liar! All the times she told me she thought I was beautiful, that she was proud of something I'd done, that she thought I was good at something or that I was the most important thing in the world to her. I never believed her (due in large part to my mental illness but still) until I had kids. Then it all changed. I look at my relatively normal kids who do relatively normal things and yet it still smacks me as my own small miracle every time they giggle, or share a toy or try something new. I have never felt so proud of anyone or so unconditionally filled with love as I do towards my children. When anyone has children, they have the opportunity to see it was all true! Unfortunately, there is no such opportunity in the reverse. Parents will probably never truly believe what their kids say about them, the guilt and self doubt never ceases. However, I can say with absolute truth that when I look at my mother I don't see someone who was wearing something frumpy, or who was fat or looked a mess. I don't see any of the things she did. I see a woman who was my guide and my comfort, a woman who has grown to be my confidante and friend. Someone who was everything I needed in a mother, who now inspires me in my own journey of motherhood. I'm sure my own kids won't see me how I see myself when they are older. It is for this reason that I make a conscious effort not to duck out of photos. To turn and smile at the camera and when I see the picture afterwards, to try not to focus on my double chin and instead on the happy event happening in the picture. I know that is what my children will focus on when they look over them when they're older. I think it's time we all stayed in the photos more!
By Jaz Johnstone6 years ago in Families
Things You Shouldn’t Say to Someone Who Doesn’t Have Kids
Everyone picks and chooses the milestones they’d like to experience throughout life, whether that be college, marriage, home ownership, or kids. However, somehow most people still expect you to do all of the above; and, when you don’t, are quite confused and concerned with things that, frankly, aren’t their business. Having children is a highly personal decision, and while some can keep quiet about it, others feel a strong urge to tell you exactly their thoughts on the matter, particularly when it comes to the issue of choosing to have or not have children. If the idea of not having a kid (or two or three) simply baffles you, then you’ve come to the right place; here are things you shouldn’t say to someone who doesn’t have kids, no matter how you know them or how you feel about the issue.
By Evelyn Starr6 years ago in Families
Reflections of the Past
In just a few weeks I'll be 30. For some of you, 30 was a long time ago. For others, it's far off in the distance. The funny thing about turning 30 is that I don't "feel" 30. Hell, when I'm clean-shaven my baby-face is reminiscent of Milo Ventimiglia's "young Jack" on the hit show, "This is Us." Sure, my right shoulder pops in the morning—too many years on the mound—and my ankle aches when it's cold—football injury—but, I still don't think of myself as 30.
By Shane Potter6 years ago in Families
Breastfeeding
As a young breastfeeding mother, I wasn't given all the information before making my choice. Before I start, I have nothing against mothers who decide to formula feed their children, it's amazing how science has developed a substitute for breastmilk designed for those who are unable or don't want to breastfeed.
By Lauren Armstrong6 years ago in Families
According to Science, This Is How Many Toys Your Baby Should Have
You want what's best for your baby, of course. But when it comes to buying toys and receiving a never-ending influx from doting relatives, how many toys does your baby really need? Is being surrounded by every kind of toy imaginable the best way for him or her to learn and be happy? Or is fewer better? It turns out, developmental psychologists actually do have a scientific answer to this question.
By Nicola P. Young6 years ago in Families
False Accusations and the Harm It Can Cause
I will never forget the feeling. My heart sank and I felt all the tears gush into the corners of my eyes. Why was this happening? What did I do wrong? What's going to happen? No, not my babies. I couldn't focus. A voicemail left saying, "This is Child Protective Services. We need to speak to you."
By Ash astrid6 years ago in Families
10 Smart Ways to Prepare for Parenthood
Parenthood is never what you expect it to be—just ask anyone who already has kids. It's a journey that's full of surprises and will always keep you guessing. It will be fun at times, and sad at times. No matter what you see, you're going to end up seeing a side of yourself that you never knew you had.
By Sasha Konikovo6 years ago in Families