Category Archives: Parents

Parenting is a very special job. Find great tips here on how to make your job easier – or at least take comfort in knowing that others are going through the same thing!

Study: Negative Mental Health Not Linked to Teen Tech Use

A study was published in the journal Clinical Psychological Science on May 3, 2021. The study was titled: “There Is No Digital Evidence That Associations Between Adolescent’s Digital Technology Engagement and Mental Health Problems Have Increased”. The results of the study may bring peace of mind to parents who worry about the amount of time their teenagers spend online. The Abstract of the study explains: Digital technology is ubiquitous in modern adolescence, and researchers are concerned that it has negative impacts on mental health that, furthermore, increase over time. To investigate whether technology is becoming more harmful, we examined changes … Continue reading →

Microsoft Introduced Microsoft Edge Kids Mode

Microsoft introduced Microsoft Edge Kids Mode. It is described as: “a safer space for your child to discover the web”. There is an easy tutorial provided for parents who want to use Kids Mode. Microsoft provided an explanation about why they created a Kids Mode: Our research tells us that about 50% of U.S. parents are impacted by what we call the “hand-off scenario.” This is that all too familiar situation of letting your child access the web from a shared device when you’re working, making dinner, picking up scattered toys, or doing any of the million things parents do … Continue reading →

Puberty Can Be Emotionally Overwhelming to Adolescents

Parents may have forgotten what it was like to go through puberty. According to Psychology Today writer David Schwartz LMFT, puberty can be emotionally overwhelming to adolescents. Your tween or teen may be experiencing emotional difficulty as their body changes. According to David Schwarts LMFT, adolescents start to experience a whole new world of feelings when they reach puberty. They start to have emotions, recognizing their own sexuality and longing for closeness with others of their own age. This can create an overwhelming sense of change and uncertainty. Many adolescents aren’t sure what is happening to them. Parents can help … Continue reading →

Millennial Parents are Raising their Kids Without Religion

Millennial parents are raising their kids without a focus on religion. According to Parents, Millennial parents tend to have fewer children, and they subscribe less to traditional expectations about family structure than parents of previous generations do. The American Enterprise Institute in November of 2019, conducted Interviews about religion with a sample size of 2,561 adults living in the United States. Here are some key findings: Young adults (age 18 to 29) are far more likely to have been raised without religion than are seniors (age 65 and older). Roughly one in five (22 percent) young adults report that they … Continue reading →

Movember Launches Family Man Online Parenting Program for Fathers

Family Man, the world’s first online parenting program specifically for fathers, launched in the United States by leading men’s global health chairty Movember. Family Man is a free, online course designed to equip fathers of children between the ages of 2-8 with the practical skills needed to cope with frustrating situations. Drawing on the research-based principles of positive parenting, Family Man uses the latest parenting strategies that support happier homes and better mental health. “There is a huge amount of research that shows parenting is more effective when it’s done as a team,” said Jane Endacott, Director of Digital Health … Continue reading →

Parenting Myths Debunked

Can you spot a parenting myth? Your parents may have handed down parenting advice that seemed appropriate when you were young – but is now out of date. Some parenting myths can be harmful to children. “Boys Will be Boys” According to Dictionary.com, the phrase “boys will be boys” was first recorded in English in 1589. It was originally a Latin proverb that would have roughly translated as “Children (boys) are children (boys) and do childish things.” It is true that children – whatever their gender – do childish things. Parents should expect that type of behavior from their kids. … Continue reading →

What Parents Should Know About Teen Romance During COVID-19

Did your teen start dating during the COVID-19 pandemic? The Washington Post has information that parents should know about teen romance in the age of COVID-19. Parents might be more aware of signs that their teen has started dating. It is easier to notice when everyone is working from home or virtually learning. This knowledge may make parents uncomfortable, but it also provides opportunity for parents and teens to have important discussions. The Washington Post reported that schools may or may not be providing school-based sexual education during the pandemic. Schools that have on-campus health centers, which may provide birth … Continue reading →

Idaho Lawmaker Introduced Free-Range Parenting Bill

Those of us who are part of Generation X remember walking to and from school, and riding a bike around the neighborhood, by ourselves. Today, some parents want to raise their kids the way they were raised – with plenty of freedom to explore and make their own decisions. Unfortunately, this can get parents into legal trouble when other parents report them for neglect. Representative Ron Nate, an Idaho State Republican, has written a bill that would protect parents who want to give their children less supervision. It is called the Reasonable Childhood Independence Act. “The intent of this is … Continue reading →

Celebrate Christmas Safely During COVID-19

Christmas celebrations during the COVID-19 pandemic will be somewhat different than in previous years. You can still celebrate with your favorite traditions if you take steps to keep everyone as safe as possible. No one wants COVID-19 for Christmas. Tour Outdoor Light Displays It has become tradition for people to decorate the outside of their homes with festive lights and stand-up decorations. There may be a street near you where the entire block created elaborate scenes, complete with lights, music, and large stand-up decorations. The safest way for your family to enjoy these displays is from the warmth and safety … Continue reading →

Study: Women Consider Leaving Workplace Due to COVID-19

A study was released by McKinsey & Company and LeanIn.Org that showed that in corporate America, 1 in 4 women are now considering leaving the workforce or downshifting their careers due to COVID-19. The report is based on data and insights from 317 companies employing more than 12 million people, along with survey responses from more than 40,000 individual employees. It urges companies to act immediately to avert this potential crisis and includes recommendations for addressing the feelings of burnout and being “always on” for work that many employees are grappling with right now. According to the study, working mothers … Continue reading →