...best job in the world
When you become a parent, life as you know it can shift in a variety of ways. Suddenly the way that you once saw the world changes, and you may find yourself grasping to keep up with all the transformations in your life.
From your level of responsibility shifting, to the amount of work on your shoulders, it can be a lot to process. It helps to anticipate some of the changes before they happen so that you can deal with them best.
Originally posted on July 25, 2019 @ 12:25 pm
Becoming a parent is something that will forever change your life. You can read as many parenting books as you like and you can talk to all of your friends that are already parents about what their experiences are, however, nothing quite compares to experiencing it firsthand. Only then will you realize the full extent of how your life has changed completely.
Although most people can agree that their lives change for the better now that they have someone to look after and love deeply, there are a variety of challenges that come along with it all. Here are some of the things that you will realize changed the minute you became a new parent. [Read more…] about 3 Ways Your Life Will Change After Becoming a Parent
Originally posted on August 31, 2017 @ 1:42 pm
When you decide to have a child you are prepared for a certain amount of changes. You know that you will have to come up with money to be able to support your new family and that you will have a little one to look after instead of just yourself. You know that you won’t be able to stay out as late or do things at the drop of a dime like you could before becoming a parent.
However, the changes don’t just stop there. There are a lot of things that a lot of people don’t tell you will change after you have a child. Here are some of the most common that most parents can agree on. [Read more…] about 3 Things That Change When You Have a Child
Originally posted on April 5, 2017 @ 10:13 am
I haven’t come across a parent who wouldn’t want the best for his or her child. Truth be told, most of the parents I know now are really into participative and involved parenting. They (including myself) would be present at every school presentation or competition, feverishly helping children finish their projects, and egging them on to get high grades and honors. It is no longer uncommon for some parents to envision their child to be the next matinee idol or super model and doing everything in their power to achieve this. Many refer to this extraordinary effort to push a child to achievement limits as stage parenting.
There are definite pitfalls in stage parenting and here are the three major ones. [Read more…] about The Three Major Pitfalls of Stage Parenting
Originally posted on August 26, 2013 @ 12:05 pm
Your teenager has been excited about it for months but for a dad, the high school prom can be something to dread. Dads might view prom as a dangerous night when teens are likely to break the rules, break the bank and maybe even break hearts. Some prom-night rules are evergreen but a lot has changed since your senior year, Dad. It may be time for some new information. [Read more…] about A Prom Guide for Dads
Originally posted on April 22, 2013 @ 3:38 pm
As parents, we always strive to raise a happy and peaceful family. But this is not an easy task because of the huge responsibilities involved. It takes a lot of practice and patience in learning the ropes of parenting.
No parent is perfect. What’s important is we strive to better ourselves as we go through life’s journey and while we are learning life’s lessons, we can teach them to our children at the same time.
Here then are some simple tips you can practice to make you a happier parent and to enable you to raise responsible children.
Firstly, be content with what you have. If you think happiness is somewhere else and something that needs to be achieved through time, forget it. It’s just there and it’s all a matter of recognizing it.
Do not even envy friends who have more in life because it will only make you desperate. Rather, look around you and within your family because it’s just there.
[Read more…] about How to be Happy as a Parent
Originally posted on December 6, 2012 @ 3:10 am
Most first time parents due to inexperience, panic in the face of medical emergencies. Me and my wife for example have two totally different approaches to emergencies such as the frequent bumps and scratches that sends your child running to you so learning to recognize something serious is the key and experience would educate you best. My wife gets into a panicked state every time she sees blood accompanied by the uncontrollable cries of our child, I merely step back, take a look at the situation and analyze the situation if it needs medical attention or if first aid can do the trick. For example, an open wound and compound fracture is always serious so speed to the hospital for care. High fever during teething is normal and can be handled with analgesics while being in constant contact with your pediatrician who would tell you to get help if needed.
Having experienced medical emergencies as a volunteer which developed my abilities to recognize life-threatening and trivial injuries, just hope more people would recognize this as a vital skill to have for it helps you lower your insurance premiums. Do some research on the web for health tips that can add to your knowledge of which emergencies to treat seriously and which are mere casual. Information and knowledge is the key, the more trips you take to the ER, the more a risk you are for the insurance firm so they have the option to ask more for insurance.
Originally posted on August 11, 2011 @ 10:07 am
Are you a good listener? I actually find it amusing that I got the idea for this post from one of those online quizzes in a social networking site. I like taking those quizzes when I am passing away time. They may not be as accurate as they can be but they are fun and sometimes, provides valuable insight – like this one. As I was reading my results (I am supposedly a good listener although I don’t always come across as one), I could not help by relate the topic to being a parent.
As Munashe shares in his blog, the art of listening is perhaps one of the most important – if not THE most important – things that a parent should develop. What does the art of listening entail?
I believe that it is more than sitting there and hearing the things that your child has to say. It is not a passive activity but an interactive one. You actively listen by understanding what your child is saying and contributing something to the conversation. More so, listening entails understanding that maybe, at times, your child just wants to be heard and does not really need to be told what to do.
I think that is one problem that arises when children share things with their parents – we sometimes automatically think that we need to provide a solution to whatever they are presenting. Have you ever thought that maybe your child just wants to rant and let off steam and be heard? I sure know that I feel that way a lot of times.
So do you take the time out to really listen to your child? How do you listen?
Originally posted on July 27, 2011 @ 2:14 pm
Let’s face it. One of the things we parents have to deal with is our kids getting sick or injured. It’s a part of growing up, especially if you have accident-prone kids like I do.
My four-year-old Ollie gets a bump/wound/scratch almost daily, and a few months ago had a bad accident in our garden where he cut his head open and was rushed to the ER. While playing with his big sister, he fell through the fence constructed by our handyman and nearly fell into our pool (which had just been cleaned out and empty). He was grabbed just in time by the handyman, so didn’t fall into the pool but slammed his head on the tile. My husband saw the whole thing and was going to kill the handyman for his shoddy work (it wasn’t nailed in properly), but he did save Ollie’s life…so it was a hard one. Luckily Ollie didn’t need stitches and aside from my husband being covered in blood ala Carrie, it turned out to be a minor injury. It could have been much much worse though, so we are grateful and have since taken extra precautions to make sure that all areas in our home were safe. Ollie was feeing a bit traumatized for the next few days (as were all of us), but I think he’s recovered now.
Here are some great tips from After The Injury, a really useful website for parents who have to deal with their child’s injuries. Whether your child’s injury is big or small, it helps to remember these things so that your child recovers faster.
While doctors know that injury prevention is the best “medicine,” the sad truth is that kids still do get hurt- lots of them- even with the most vigilant parents. In fact, 9.2 million children are treated in an emergency room for an injury each year, making it equally important for parents to know how to handle what happens after the injury.
1. Let your child know that he or she is safe. In the first days and weeks following an injury many children fear that something bad might happen to them again. Learn more about helping your child with new fears or worries.
2. Allow children to talk about their feelings and worries, if they want to. Let your child know that it’s ok to feel a little upset. The circumstances of an injury can be frightening, and it’s not always easy to know how to talk with your child about it. Here are some things that other parents have found helpful for talking with their child.
3. Go back to normal routines. It is important to help your child get plenty of sleep, eat regular meals, keep up with schoolwork, and spend time with friends. Here are some options to consider if the injury gets in the way of things s/he used to do.
4. Increase time with family and friends. Children who get support from family and friends seem to do better in recovering after upsetting events. Try reading together, playing games, or watching movies together. Listen to what some parents had to say about how to help their children remain connected after an injury.
5. Take time to deal with your own feelings. In addition to all of the things you do to help your child, it’s important to remember to take good care of yourself. Learn more about your own reactions and get tips for taking care of yourself.
6. Keep in mind people in the same family can react in different ways. Your child’s feelings and worries about the injury might be different from yours. It’s important to monitor how your child is doing and when reactions might signal trouble. Learn how to gauge your child’s emotional recovery and identify any reactions that might need special attention.
Visit After the Injury to read full tip sheets, learn more about child injury and pain care, take a quiz to rate your child’s reactions to injury, and create a personalized care plan to help parents help their child recover from injury.
Photo via Ramberg Media
Originally posted on July 13, 2011 @ 8:02 am