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Parenthood

5 Ways Acting Like a Dad Will Make You a Rock Star Mom

At some point in our parenting journey, I stopped bitching at my husband to be more like me as a parent and started learning from him instead.

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What You Need to Know About Giving Your Children Allowance

70 percent of kids get some kind of allowance nowadays. If you’re considering giving an allowance to your kids, here are some basic things to consider:

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10 Ways to Raise Extraordinary Human Beings

Here are 10 things we can do to raise extraordinary human beings, who recognize their own strengths and know how to use them.

Parenthood tensed little boy pushing his lower lip with finger

How Parents Can Challenge Their Children with Stretch Goals

I love challenging my kids to do better and be better. I do it all the time. I think part of me has developed it into a little mental game, a satisfying mom challenge.

Parenthood woman travelling with a child. Mother and son watching rainbow

How to Raise an Open-Minded Child

Open-mindedness is hard, especially in this era of intense political polarization. But raising our kids to think that way benefits everyone.

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What Children Overhear Matters Now More Than Ever

Things are happening in the world right now, and we can get so caught up in it that we may not notice how it’s affecting our children.

Parenthood Two kids boys biking and waiting on traffic light

How to Build a Solid Framework For Raising a Responsible Kid

Parents can take a positive, supportive approach by fostering these three major components of responsibility.

Parenthood mother hugging her adult crying daughter on background of blooming trees

How to Strengthen A Child’s Character Through Empathy

Empathy rarely requires rules be changed, expectations be lowered, or concessions be made for a child.

That Time My Birth Plan Went Flying out the Window

Like many moms, I had a birth plan, but that plan went flying out the second story hospital window

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How to Teach Your Kids About Civic Responsibility

Sometimes we need a shake up to wake up. How can we use this time to teach our children the importance of civic engagement?

Parenthood Young Girls playing with hula hoop in summer field

How to Be A Kid With Your Kid (and Not Have to Steal Their Coloring Books)

Childhood is the coolest. That’s why we want ours back. But we also want to protect our kids’ childhood.

Parenthood blue jeans on fire

Liar Liar, Mom Jeans On Fire

Perhaps I should feel badly about lying to those I love so dearly, but the truth is, I don't feel badly at all. In fact, they get me through most days.

Parenthood baby crawling on green grass with blue sky and clouds

The Best Way to “Go Green?” Go Outside.

Even with the “greening” of parenthood, helping children form an actual connection to nature is often overlooked.

Parenthood Rear view of a girl walking in field of long grass

Teaching Children to Appreciate Quiet in A Noisy World

In a world where being loud is lauded, let’s teach our children the beauty of quiet and stillness.

Parenthood young kids with different opinions

Can Teaching Kids Mindfulness Replace Discipline?

Traditional punishments like detention and suspension are often ineffective. Some schools are turning to meditation and mindfulness and seeing real results.

Parenthood mom playing with son and daughter with a dog in the background

3 Strategies for Being Genuinely Present with Your Family Even on the Busiest Days

Rather than relying on inner zen to slow down and connect with my kids, I rely on a few strategies that seem to always work for us.

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How to Help Your Kids Understand the Ugly Truth About Photoshop

We're all bombarded with images of men and women – famous or not – who look perfect. It's important to teach kids about the reality behind the images that surround them.

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How to Help Your Kids Build a Better BS Detector

BS is all around us. Here’s how to prepare your kids to deal with it, without losing their sense of wonder.

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Dear Childless Jared: New Dad Answers His Pre-Fatherhood Journal

An excerpt from the journal I kept during my wife's pregnancy, as well as what the current version of me would say to the childless dude who wrote it.

Parenthood Woman With Hair Flying In The Air

What Happened When I Refused to Let My Son Tell Me How to Wear My Hair

Every time my son tells me he doesn’t like what I’m doing with my hair, it has felt more and more like an opportunity and experiment in resistance.

Parenthood mother wraps young boy in wrap bubbles

10 Signs You're an Overprotective Mom

In the last decade, the term “helicopter mom” has risen in popularity. For those not familiar with the moniker, a helicopter mom is one that “hovers.” She is overbearing and way too overprotective....

Parenthood little girl playing lying in colorful balls park playground

5 Moms You'll Find at a Fast Food Play Area

Most parents, at one time or another, will be subjected to the horror that is the designated play area of a fast food restaurant. These places always seem to remind me of the zoo, filled with climb...

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Be Honest With Your Child About the Tough Stuff

No matter how stable your family is, there will probably come a time when you need to have a tough conversation with your kid.

The Only Way We're Making It Across This Is Together

Someone asked me recently what it’s like to have four kids, and I paused. Answers flew through my head, and none of them felt exactly right.