Parenting Blog

...best job in the world

Relationships

Family And Recovery- Helping Your Family Help You

By

Addicts need all of the help they can get in order to stay clean and sober. It’s easy to backslide back into the drugs and alcohol, even when you’ve been through rehab. You need as many people in your corner as you can get if you want to stay clean.

Senior-And-Family-Meeting

Addicts are always addicts, and those that can’t admit that will be the ones that fall back into their vice the quickest. You need to do more than go to the meetings though, you need to make sure that you are letting your family help you in any way they can. [Read more…] about Family And Recovery- Helping Your Family Help You

Originally posted on January 24, 2016 @ 2:54 pm

How Parents Should Cope With Teen Drug Addiction

By

Drug abuse in teens isn’t a new thing and it is worse than many parents think. It isn’t difficult for teenagers to become interested in experimenting and drugs are always out there just waiting to be tried. Even small towns are seeing a rise in drug use.

The only way to keep your teen safe is to talk to them and be honest with them about drug use and what it can do to them. The teenage years are pretty stressful as children grow into young adults. That stress, anxiety, and depression they feel can lead to drug abuse and addiction.

teen drug addiction

Share Your Feelings With Them

Many people don’t think that their kids really listen to them, but you’d be amazed at how much of what you say actually sticks with them. Tell them, honestly, about how you feel about drugs and what they can do to people. [Read more…] about How Parents Should Cope With Teen Drug Addiction

Originally posted on August 6, 2015 @ 2:07 am

Family Roadtrips: Are We There Yet?

By

Are you dreaming of escaping on your next family getaway? Ready to load the family up and take a vacation? If you ever took a road trip with your family, I am sure you remember. Whether your memories are good or bad, you remember. Families often have their own oral history and road trips are ideal times for storytelling. Family vacations are a fantastic way to build your relationships and your family’s story.

stk150090rke

Yellowstone National Park

This is an epic family destination. According to this blog post on ShopAdelaides.com, “It is one of the most visited of the US national parks and boasts an astounding number of wildlife, beautiful views, and truly amazing geological activity. Old Faithful and the rest of the geysers in the western region of the park are sights that will interest anyone with even a passing interest in earth and environmental science.” It appeals to kids of all ages, as well as the adult members of your family.

Visiting Yellowstone allows you to adapt your trip to meet your specific needs. Do you need to get out of the car and move? There are walking trails and small hikes at most of the features. The majority of these trails are stroller and wheelchair friendly. Do you have members of the family that would rather just ride in the car? Plenty of thermal features and all of the animals can be seen via the road. Kids can even earn a junior ranger patch. [Read more…] about Family Roadtrips: Are We There Yet?

Originally posted on March 9, 2015 @ 8:34 am

Why Parents Need to Work Together With Teachers

By

Parents are the first teachers of their children. But as kids grow, parents need to entrust their kids to school teachers who are responsible for providing knowledge and developing the basic skills of children. Teachers are, therefore, recognized as second parents. And for this reason, parents and teachers need to establish a positive relationship as partners in education.

Experts have pointed out that a positive relationship between a parent and teacher is more likely to lead to the success of a child in school. When a school kid sees that his mom or dad get along well with the teacher, he or she is bound to feel good and inspired to do good in school. [Read more…] about Why Parents Need to Work Together With Teachers

Originally posted on January 19, 2015 @ 10:26 am

How Can Seniors Foster Strong Relationships With Their Grandchildren?

By

As seniors age, maintaining close relationships with family members, particularly grandkids, becomes increasingly crucial. Grandchildren give seniors a sense of excitement and purpose, and these interactions may be extraordinarily beneficial for both sides.

However, as grandchildren grow and become more independent, it can be challenging for seniors to maintain strong connections with them. This article will discuss some tips for seniors to foster strong relationships with their grandchildren.

1. Embrace Technology

One of the most significant barriers to maintaining strong relationships between seniors and their grandchildren is distance. Numerous grandchildren reside far away, making it difficult to maintain regular contact. Fortunately, technology has made staying connected across long distances easier than ever.

Seniors can use video chat applications such as Skype or FaceTime to see and speak with their grandchildren face-to-face, regardless of distance. They can also use social media to keep up with their grandchildren’s lives and share photos and updates.

2. Spend Quality Time Together

While technology is an excellent tool for staying in touch, it is essential for grandparents to spend quality time in person with their grandchildren. Seniors can organize activities that they and their grandchildren both like, such as playing board games, going to the park, or making a meal together.

If seniors live in senior housing, they can invite their grandchildren over for a visit or plan outings to nearby attractions. Spending time together in person allows grandparents and grandchildren to form bonds and create memories that will last a lifetime.

3. Be a Good Listener

It can be difficult for a number of grandchildren to connect with their grandparents due to their hectic schedules. When seniors do have the opportunity to converse, they should be attentive listeners and take an interest in the lives of their grandchildren.

Seniors can ask about their grandchildren’s hobbies, interests, and schoolwork and offer advice or support when needed. By actively listening to their grandchildren, grandparents can demonstrate that they care and are always available.

4. Share Family History and Stories

Seniors have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and sharing family history and stories is a great way to connect with grandchildren. Seniors can talk about their childhoods, share family traditions, and discuss important events in the family’s history.

By sharing these stories, seniors can pass down their legacy to their grandchildren and help them understand their family’s history and values.

5. Stay Active and Involved

Seniors who are active and involved in their communities are more likely to have strong relationships with their grandchildren. Volunteering at their grandchildren’s schools or attending community events in which their grandchildren are involved are options for seniors.

They can also attend their grandchildren’s sports games or performances and show their support. By staying active and involved, seniors can demonstrate their love and commitment to their grandchildren.

Final Thoughts

Fostering strong relationships with grandchildren is crucial for seniors’ emotional well-being and sense of purpose. By embracing technology, spending quality time together, being good listeners, sharing family history and stories, and staying active and involved, seniors can build strong and lasting connections with their grandchildren.

Originally posted on March 31, 2023 @ 2:54 am

Should Parents Risk Financial Stability to Rescue Adult Children from Financial Problems?

By

Should parents risk their own financial stability to rescue their adult children from financial problems? This is probably one of the most difficult questions many parents will have to face at some point. Adult children are more likely to make bad financial choices because they are the ones who will most likely find themselves in situations that will call for major financial decisions such as marriage, career, or business.

[Read more…] about Should Parents Risk Financial Stability to Rescue Adult Children from Financial Problems?

Originally posted on December 12, 2013 @ 9:56 am

Family New Year’s Resolutions: Being Better Together

By

Almost everybody has made at least one New Year’s resolution in his or her life. It is not common to hear about family New Year’s resolutions probably because it is hard enough to seek improvement for one’s self. Imagine the effort in doing it together with all the other members of the family. One way to look at it positively is the possibility that one family can function better as a group through individual and common efforts to actually get better together.

[Read more…] about Family New Year’s Resolutions: Being Better Together

Originally posted on January 1, 2014 @ 3:17 am

Help Your Child Cope With Your Divorce

By

It is very easy and common for estranged spouses to be so caught up with their own divorce woes and forget about their children’s feelings. In a very unfortunate family event like divorce, children will almost always have no say on the matter and yet they can be the most affected. Seeing two people they look up to going their separate ways and probably tearing each other apart can be one of the most traumatic experiences in their young lives. There is no question that a child would need help to cope with the realities of divorcing parents .

Image Source

Acknowledge the Pain

Difficult as it may be, the divorcing parents should be looking out for their children as well especially during the most trying times. If you are in the process of divorcing your spouse and you think you have been dealt the worst deal, think again. There is someone hurting more than you are and that is most probably your child.

Talk with you child in a way he or she can understand and acknowledge the pain. It may not be expressed as clearly as the child wants to but it is real. Crying is not the only manifestation of pain. Often times, it is the child’s silence which is more difficult to interpret.

Do Not Add Confusion to the Pain

Divorcing parents should resist every opportunity to badmouth each other most especially in front of the children. The personal issues of parents simultaneously sounded off to their children may just be too much to handle at a certain point. Parents should try to keep the divorce proceedings in a civil level.

Children however have to be protected adequately if they are at the risk of any harm from any parent. If there is reason to believe that children must be forewarned of any possible danger, then it needs to be done. Of course, there is no room for exaggeration and false accusations which can only further confuse an already emotionally hurting child.

Live Life

When all the legal proceedings have been done with, the only thing left to do is to live life. You have made your decision to divorce your spouse but life goes on for you, your estranged spouse, and your children. Presumably, you have come up with arrangements about custody, visiting rights, and all that stuff so everybody is expected to be moving within the parameters of these arrangements.

That takes care of the legal aspect but you still have the more personal challenge of living life on a daily basis after divorce. Your children will probably have many questions in their minds that will come out many days, months or years after. Remember this, you may no longer be a wife or husband to your spouse but you remain a parent to your child even after divorce, so be one.

About the Author:

Sara Angle is a professional blogger that shares tips and information about the divorce process. She writes for Widrig Law PLLC, a top divorce law firm in Nashville TN.

Originally posted on March 15, 2014 @ 12:21 am