When you have children, you know you need to explain life’s complexities to them so they can get through life confidently and intelligently. But how do you prepare your children for something that might be beyond their understanding?

While some conversations come easily, others, such as discussions about puberty, mental health, online safety, and relationships, can feel daunting.

As uncomfortable as it might be, finding a way through these tough conversations is worthwhile because it will help your kids develop confidence, resilience, and knowledge to navigate the world safely and responsibly.

Here’s how to initiate these essential yet often uncomfortable conversations with empathy and clarity.

Navigating Puberty and Sexual Health

For young people, puberty is a labyrinth: challenging to navigate and full of unexpected twists and turns. Having help understanding puberty and knowing what to expect can make this difficult time easier to get through.

Understanding Bodily Changes

Puberty is the topic that most parents want to skip. It’s a natural yet confusing stage of life marked by significant physical and emotional transformations that can be hard to explain or embarrassing for your kids to discuss.

When talking to your children about puberty, start early. Understanding what they could potentially experience early on will help reduce their anxiety about it and help them foster a positive self-image. Instead of panicking, they’ll be prepared.

Open communication helps normalize puberty, too. Create a safe space for your kids to discuss topics like body hair, menstruation, voice changes, and hormonal fluctuations, allowing them to ask questions without shame.

Reassure your children that these changes are normal and that everyone experiences them differently to create a foundation of trust and understanding.

The Importance of Regular Health Check-Ups

Routine medical visits are central to a child’s overall well-being. They also help kids better understand subjects like puberty and mental health because they get to talk to medical professionals.

You should explain the importance of preventive health care and reassure your children about regular health check-ups so that they will continue to take advantage of them as adults.

As your children grow, they may require specialized care, such as OB/GYN visits for young women. You should absolutely be involved in these appointments to ensure they get the care they need. But be sure you’re giving them privacy when they ask for it and allow them to speak for themself.

Encouraging your children to take charge of their health fosters independence and self-awareness.

Developing Media Literacy and Online Safety

For young people especially, the internet can be a scary place. The best protection against misinformation, adult content, and even predators is information.

Understanding Media Influence

Media shapes perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors, especially for children who are most vulnerable. From advertisements to social media influencers, children are constantly exposed to messages that may impact their self-esteem, beliefs, and decision-making.

Teaching children media literacy helps them differentiate between reality and curated online portrayals. They’ll be able to access, analyze, and evaluate a bunch of different forms of media to understand the information they’re getting online, the sources it’s coming from, and the potential biases and intentions behind the content.

Sit down with your children a couple of times a month and surf the net for different kinds of media and information. Show them what’s appropriate for them to consume and some sources they should never trust.

Teaching Online Safety

While the internet can be good for kids, it also presents risks, including exposure to inappropriate content and online predators. You should educate your children about the dangers of the internet, such as cyberbullying.

Then, learn safe internet practices, such as avoiding personal information disclosure, recognizing and reporting cyberbullying, and identifying potential scams.

Establishing clear rules and encouraging open discussions about online experiences will ensure your kids feel comfortable seeking guidance if they encounter concerning situations.

Discussing Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being

Mental health is a priority for young people. While mental healthcare has long been taboo, confronting mental health problems can save lives.

Recognizing Signs of Mental Health Issues

Children, like adults, experience stress, anxiety, and emotional struggles. Recognizing early signs of mental health issues, such as withdrawal, mood swings, or persistent sadness, allows for timely intervention and support.

It’s important to navigate any mental health issues with sensitivity, especially if your child has experienced trauma. Trauma can cause emotional regulation issues, difficulties with attention and focus, and trust issues in relationships.

So, help your child heal by creating a safe and supportive environment for them and seeking professional help when needed.

Promoting Open Communication

Children need a safe environment where they feel heard and understood. You can foster open dialogue by actively listening, validating your children’s emotions, and avoiding judgment.

Using open-ended questions and sharing personal experiences can make conversations feel more relatable. Expressing support and empathy reassures children that their feelings are valid and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Identifying and Avoiding Toxic Relationships

Before they venture into relationships, young people must know how to recognize the signs of toxic relationships and how to get out of them safely.

Understanding Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships

Teaching children to recognize the difference between healthy and toxic relationships keeps their self-worth and boundaries intact. Healthy relationships are built on mutual respect, trust, and communication, whereas toxic relationships often involve manipulation, control, and emotional distress.

Sharing relationship experiences you’ve had, or role-playing scenarios can help illustrate these differences. Also, discuss boundaries and self-worth to encourage your children to prioritize their emotional well-being.

Strategies for Addressing Toxic Relationships

If children find themselves in harmful relationships, they should know how to set boundaries and seek support. And that all starts with you discussing toxic relationships in the first place.

Monitor their relationships. But more importantly, be someone safe to talk to. Don’t freak out when you hear something that disturbs you. Instead, take a deep breath and respond in a way that gets you the end result you want, which is them feeling empowered to make positive choices.

Empowering Children Through Honest Conversations

Discussing crucial yet often uncomfortable topics helps equip your children with the tools necessary to navigate life’s complexities confidently. Approach these conversations with patience and understanding to create a strong foundation of trust.

While some discussions may feel difficult, they ultimately prepare children for a future where they can advocate for themselves, make informed decisions, and embrace life’s complexities with confidence.

Photo Credit

Image is from Pixabay

Guest Author Bio
Charlie Fletcher

Charlie Fletcher is a freelance writer from the lovely “city of trees”- Boise, Idaho. Her love of writing pairs with her passion for social activism and search for the truth. When not writing she spends her time doodling and embroidering. And yes, she does love all kinds of potatoes!

When I was a kid, I hated school. I just didn’t want to be there; I wanted to be at home with my mom. It seemed like cruel and unusual punishment to be sent off every morning in rain, snow, sleet or heat. I went to a Catholic school just down the street from where I lived. It was a pleasant enough place, I suppose. The church was right across the street and back then it was a big part of our education.

In 1963 I was in kindergarten. At the time, it was run out of the church basement, and really wasn’t much of a learning centre. It was a small room with some toys, books and a few puzzles. But I felt a more urgent need to be outside. I’d often ride my tricycle, a honking big green trike, to kindergarten. I’d then spend most of my time on it, outside on those beautiful days riding around the church parking lot. That is until the teacher, who was an elderly woman, would come out and tell me to put my bike away and come and learn some letters. I didn’t enjoy being told to put my bike away. In fact, feeling part of the whole school experience was few and far between for me. School, from my perspective, was a place where freedom didn’t exist. And it was hard to listen to this woman who, it seemed to me, should have been at home knitting baby sweaters for her grown children. I’m sure I didn’t think that back then, but I think that now. And perhaps she wasn’t as old as I remember. She may have been my age now for all I know, but at the time she seemed really, really old.

One thing I do remember about those kindergarten days was the day President Kennedy was shot. I remember being there playing, then all of a sudden there seemed to be this huge commotion going on, with adults running in and out of the room. Someone, I recall, found a television and proceeded to turn it on. I remember my teacher crying. Then all of a sudden my mother showed up, which was really odd because my mother would never take me home unless there was some sort of emergency. She did try to tell me what was happening but all I remember is the sadness of the adults, and the tears. Also, it seemed to me they were fearful. That day, like others that would follow, would ultimately become embedded in my mind. The feeling of loss and sadness still resonates with me today.

One cold, blustery winter morning, when I was a year older and in grade one, I spent several hours playing on a snow hill just down the street from my house. It must have been just after one of those great big snow storms, as I was having a wonderful time making angels in the snow. The street was so quiet, the sounds muffled by all the snow that had just fallen. The sky was a perfect blue and the sun was shining. I was quite happy playing out in that snow bank. Unfortunately the woman who lived across the street from that snow bank felt differently.

I remember her coming up to me. “Hello, are you Martha?”

“Yes,”  I responded.

“Aren’t you supposed to be in school, Martha?”

“I think so.” Now I was feeling like I was being interrogated.

“Ok, well why don’t I take you home?”

“Okay,” I said, not thinking it was going to turn out so wrong once we got to our front door.

“Hello, Joan,” the woman said to my mother at the door. “I found something that I think belongs to you. She was playing outside our house. She’d been there for quite some time and was sure she must be bitterly cold so I thought I’d bring her home to you.” 

“Well, thank you,” my mom replied.

Once the woman left, my mom’s demeanor completely changed. “Martha, what were you thinking? Why aren’t you in school? You have to go to school!” she yelled. She yelled a bit more, then grabbed her coat and hauled me off by the scruff of the neck all the way to school. That was one of the most embarrassing events of my life. It was awful arriving to class, when all the other kids were seated properly at their desks, being dragged into the room by my mother. Me crying, her crying; it was not a pleasant scene. And then after my mother left I got yelled at some more by the nun who was my teacher. I tuned out most of her yelling and looked out the window at the beautiful day I was missing.

From then on, school was just not the place I wanted to be. And even though I never went to university, I did, at the tender age of forty-nine, receive my diploma from Vanier, Quebec’s CEGEP (General and Vocational College) in Early Childhood Education.

Ironic the way life works, isn’t it?

Photo Credit
Photo courtesy of Martha Farley – all rights reserved

Most educators and parents are happy to do what they can for the speech-disfluent children in their lie. However, good intentions will only get you so far. To make a significant impact, you also need to understand what factors contribute to a supportive and productive educational environment for children with disordered speech.

In this article, we provide a succinct but effective overview of how you can create a supportive environment for children with speech disfluencies.

Typical Versus Atypical Disfluencies: How Can You Tell the Difference?

It’s important to understand that developmentally healthy children do experience things that can be qualified as typical speech disfluencies. These laps in fluent speech usually correlate with some sort of cognitive development milestone.

For example, when a 2-3-year-old child begins to learn more words and expand their use of language, they may experience brief stuttering spells. These are typically harmless episodes, brought on by the fact that they are thinking a little faster than they know how to speak.

These incidents may be deeply frustrating for the child but are usually not harmful from a developmental standpoint. But while some speech disfluency is common, there are signs that your child is experiencing something that falls outside of the normal range of experience. These signs include:

• Speech avoidance: Does your child avoid speaking altogether, or rely heavily on physical forms of communication to express their thoughts? These are often indications that a more serious issue with speech is taking place.
• Difficulty with specific sounds: If the child is experiencing consistent difficulty with specific sounds it is usually an indication that there is an ongoing problem with speech disfluency. Generally, issues that are not concerning are not specific to certain sounds.
• Broken words: Speech disorders are also often characterized by broken words. Long pauses within the middle of certain words as the child struggles to figure out how to make the necessary sound to continue.
• Difficulty beginning sentences: A consistent inability to begin sentences suggests both speech-related anxiety and a general difficulty with common communication sounds that extend beyond what is typical.

While there are exceptions, it’s also just usually true that when a parent or teacher is worried that there is speech disfluency taking place, they are usually right. If the child seems to be struggling with language more than their peers, the next step should be to have them meet with a speech professional.

What Comes Next

So, you’ve identified that a child might be having difficulties with their speech. What comes next? Below, we list out a series of steps that will help you deal with the problem effectively.

Step 1: Connect the Child with a Speech Professional

Public schools are legally required to provide whatever learning assistance the child requires. Hopefully, there should be no issue getting a child struggling with their speech skills to see a speech therapist. However, there are situations where difficulties may arise.

Small school districts in remote areas may have a hard time finding someone. Private schools are also subject to slightly different rules for what resources they are required to provide students.

In all cases, parent and teacher advocacy is an important element in ensuring that the student gets what they need.

Step 2: Establish a Productive Chain of Communication

For speech issues to be tackled effectively it will take a coordinated effort between the adults in the child’s life. When a child is diagnosed with any kind of disability that impacts their learning ability, they are given an IEP— an individualized education program.

The IEP basically serves as a roadmap for how the child will be able to achieve good educational outcomes. It lists out goals for the child’s learning and also dictates accommodations the child should receive in the classroom.

Children with any form of disability benefit enormously from parental involvement. Once the child has been diagnosed with a speech disorder, it is important that the educators, the parents, and the speech professionals maintain effective lines of communication.

Should an IEP be established, it will create a natural avenue of communication in the form of meetings that parents are entitled to call when they have concerns. Even if the child is not deemed to require an IEP they will still benefit from regular communication between all parties involved in their education.

Step 3: Be Patient

Finally, remember that patience is key. It is hard providing a person with speech difficulties the educational or parental support that they need. You want the best for them and know that their struggles with speech will be a significant roadblock to their long-term success.

Fortunately, speech difficulties are usually treatable. What might feel like an unbridgeable obstacle now will most likely one day be a thing of the past. However, you do need to make sure that the child feels comfortable in their learning and language development.

Patience is key. If you can help to make the speech therapy process as stress-free as possible, it will go a long way towards expediting their success. Keep in mind that hesitancy toward speaking can slow learning considerably.

The kinder and more allowing you are, the more comfortable the child will ultimately feel practicing their language skills. Speech development requires time and effort but if you provide the child with the right environment, they will begin learning eventually.

Photo Credit

Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

Guest Author Bio
Sarah Daren

With a Bachelor’s in Health Science along with an MBA, Sarah Daren has a wealth of knowledge within both the health and business sectors. Her expertise in scaling and identifying ways tech can improve the lives of others has led Sarah to be a consultant for a number of startup businesses, most prominently in the wellness industry, wearable technology and health education. She implements her health knowledge into every aspect of her life with a focus on making America a healthier and safer place for future generations to come.

Moreover, many working adults are also parents. Parenting and working full-time can be a struggle, particularly if you are a single parent trying to advance your career. Luckily, there are ways to achieve work-life harmony if you are a single parent, co-parenting, or somewhere in between. Find out how to parent effectively while keeping up with your job using the following techniques.

Parent With Mindfulness
Each working parent has a different situation. Instead of lumping yourself in with everyone else and accepting a stressful routine, approach life mindfully. A little preparation goes a long way when attempting to balance work with parenting.

Create Memories Purposefully
If you’re working all the time, you may be worried that you’re missing monumental moments with your children. However, you can still create memories with your kids that will last a lifetime with a little planning. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to create the “perfect” day, though — often, the best memories just involve simple activities like reading together or laughing over a board game.

If you are struggling to come up with activities that your children will cherish, ask them what they would like to do. This could be a great jumping-off point to lead you in the right direction, and your kids will feel seen and heard at the same time. Schedule a day off to do whatever they would like, within reason of course. This dedication to spending quality time with your kids will not be overlooked.

Acknowledge Your Child’s Specific Needs
Each child is different. The parenting methods that work best for you don’t have to — and likely won’t — look the same as those of other parents that you know or see on the internet. Try to filter out the noise and take an in-depth look at your particular situation. Identify the specific needs of your child in order to create an action plan that works well with your job schedule and parenting preferences.

For example, you could have a baby that experiences separation anxiety when they are with anyone but you. First and foremost, realize that this is normal. Babies and toddlers are ingrained with a need to be near their primary caregivers. In fact, it’s primal and crucial to their development. For this reason, take the age of your child into consideration when setting up a work schedule.

Seek Flexible Work Environments
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. work environments are more flexible. This opens up the possibilities for you as a working parent to find a job that suits your specific schedule. After assessing your child’s specific needs, take into consideration what work hours and benefits you would need to make addressing those needs possible.

This includes scheduling in time for your kids and yourself. There are certain workplace implementations that can make your life easier. As an employed or job-seeking parent, look for workplace benefits like:

• Maternity and paternity leave;
• Family healthcare;
• Shorter work weeks;
• Flexible hours;
• Remote/work-from-home jobs;
• An inclusive culture.

Many companies will tout an inclusive culture and be unwilling to back up this claim. Try to do as much research as possible to figure out whether an employer will be willing to meet your needs as a working parent. Look at employee reviews on Glassdoor and specifically search for your specific needs, such as flexible work hours. Working with a company that acknowledges the unique considerations and goals of employed parents is integral to your success.

Identify Your Unique Goals
If you expect your employer to be considerate of your goals as a working parent, you have to be clear about them in the first place. For instance, if you’d like to advance your career as a single parent, identify the steps you need to take to get where you want to be. This can look like:

• Assessing your current career;
• Identifying practical preferences, like part-time hours;
• Pinning down your passion and how to feel fulfilled;
• Looking into certifications, mentorships, conferences, and advanced learning opportunities;
• Networking with other working parents in your industry.

You don’t have to put yourself in a “working parent” box. However, it helps to establish your unique goals through the lens of someone who wants to advance in their career but also excels in their parenting duties. It’s possible to do so if you plan ahead and get a little support along the way.

Don’t Be Afraid To Ask for Help
If you’re a working parent, you may fall into the trap of wanting to do everything yourself. While this is noble, it can be advantageous to ask for help. If you try to do everything, you may end up burnt out and performing poorly at work and at home. Tap into the resources you have available to you to prevent this from happening. These can include:

• Online support groups;
• Family and friends;
• Financial support;
• Therapy and emotional support;
• Help around the house.

Make an itemized list of all of your duties and see what can practically get done. Then, look for resources to optimize these tasks.

Set Boundaries
In order to avoid burning yourself out trying to do everything at work and for your kids, you also need to set boundaries. Especially when working from home, the line between work and parenting life can blur. It’s important to set clear boundaries with your employer and your family to let them know what hours you will be working. This way, your family time isn’t disrupted by work and vice versa.

Moving Forward as a Working Parent
Remember to also set boundaries with yourself. Don’t let time for yourself fall by the wayside just to take care of work duties or spend extra time with your kids. There are ways to be a great parent and employee while not sacrificing your mental and physical well-being. In fact, this is the best way to show up completely in all aspects of your life.

Photo Credit

Photo by Elina Fairytale on Pexels

Guest Author Bio
Luke Smith

Luke Smith is a writer and researcher turned blogger. He enjoys writing on a variety of topics but business, technology, and digital marketing topics are his favorite. When he isn’t writing you can find him traveling, hiking, or getting into the latest tech.

Moms who work outside of the home face unique challenges, like finding childcare and sticking with an established schedule.

This is part of the reason why remote work was and continues to be welcomed by working moms. A remote work environment typically comes with flexibility and empathetic leaders. It also gives moms space to care for their children themselves.

In a recent survey, 79% of moms agreed they prefer remote work for this environment. And we don’t blame them. That said, they take on a tough challenge commingling work and parenting. But luckily, making remote work easier for moms is a few tips away.

Talk to Your Kids

Your kids won’t know you’re working from home if you don’t tell them. They’ll do like most kids do and pull you every which way for whatever they need, — whether it’s making them something to eat, helping them with homework, or playing.

Talking to your children about you working from home is the best way to set essential remote work boundaries. You should also have a conversation about your new work situation beforehand to see if they’re comfortable with it.

Whether you’re talking to a toddler, school-aged child, or teen, break remote work down in a way they can understand. This could look like:

• Showing your toddler your home office and explaining what a shut door means;
• Showing your elementary school-aged child your remote work tools and explaining when you use them;
• Showing your teen what you have to accomplish while working from home and how you do it.

After talking about your remote work schedule, dive into what’s acceptable and what isn’t when you’re working. For example, when the do not disturb sign is hanging on the door, they can’t come in unless it’s an emergency. When the door is open it’s okay to come in. Or, establish rooms where being loud is okay and rooms where it isn’t.

Talk to your children so that you all can work together to make remote work more manageable for you and them.

Plan Your Day Around Your Children

Even if you’re focused on building your career, your kids are your priority at the end of the day. That’s why the flexibility of remote work is so helpful to working moms. Of course, the amount of autonomy you have regarding your work schedule is up to your employer.

But hopefully, you have enough to plan your day around your children. Adhering to a strict 9-5 schedule while working remotely is nearly impossible for a working mom. So, having the ability to break up your schedule throughout the day is monumental.

When planning for the right schedule, think about your child and their needs. For instance, when must you drop them off and pick them up from school? If you have a toddler, when are nap times? How often are meltdowns and why do they usually happen? When are meal times? If you have a pre-teen or a teenager, what are their after-school commitments?

The more you understand about your children’s lives, the easier you can plan your workday. This could look like:

• Capitalizing on nap times;
• Arranging a carpool for your kids to get home from school;
• Scheduling your lunches and breaks to coincide with your child’s meal times;
• Making sure you have small breaks scheduled throughout the day to check on your kids;
• Waking up early to complete priority work tasks before you have to take your kids to school.

Planning each workday around your kids is critical in making remote work easier for moms.

Adopt Work From Home Best Practices

Yes, you want to ensure your children are well taken care of when you’re engaging in remote work. However, you must also produce high-quality work and maintain productivity while working from home.

To help with the latter, adopt work-from-home best practices. The following tips and tricks make managing a remote workload while caring for children much easier:

• Create a daily routine;
• Reach out when you need help;
• Set work hours and stick to them;
• Meal prep and never give up lunch breaks;
• Finish a project or task before you start a new one;
• Use technology and work essentials you’re familiar with;
• Challenge yourself and take on meaningful responsibilities;
• Stay active to promote creativity and cognitive function.

Implementing these work-from-home tips is fundamental in making remote work easier for moms.

Watch Your Kids Without Watching Them

As much as you might want to, you can’t be constantly watching your kids while you’re working from home. Your kids will inevitably need to entertain themselves while you take a meeting or work on a project.

So, you’ll need to figure out how to watch your kids without physically watching them. For example, if your child is old enough to control the television and you give them free rein to do so as you take a meeting, safety is important.

Enabling parental guidance is a must. We say parental guidance instead of parental controls because you want to guide your child in how they engage with digital tools rather than control them. Filter the content they can watch on TV, set screen times, and up your privacy settings to ensure kids can entertain themselves on digital devices safely.

Of course, you’ll keep a close eye on your children when you’re working from home and taking care of them. But having systems and tools in place that help watch them without watching them is incredibly helpful in making remote work easier for moms.

Working moms can achieve their career goals despite taking on the challenge of working and parenting from home. It’s all about making remote work easier for moms. We hope the advice above helps you do just that.

Photo Credit

Photo by Kampus Production on Pexels

Guest Author Bio
Luke Smith

Luke Smith is a writer and researcher turned blogger. He enjoys writing on a variety of topics but business, technology, and digital marketing topics are his favorite. When he isn’t writing you can find him traveling, hiking, or getting into the latest tech.

While there are plenty of social, cultural, psychological, and physical reasons that supported those standards, things have changed, and with it, the challenges will accompany the roles of employee and parent.

Women’s labor force participation rates peaked in 1999 at a rate of 60.0%, and among those the rate of mothers with children under the age of 18 was almost 71% in 2011. While the rates are lower now, hovering around 47%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 in 10 women are now considered the sole, primary, or co- breadwinners of families.

This article is not to focus on the labor percentages of women’s employment though, instead it is to point out how the shift in our societies family and labor values have changed the ways that people can live life in a balanced way.

Sadly, only 14% of Americans think that public and private workplace initiatives have kept up with the changes that have occurred in the workforce over the decades. While the consequences of this are many and far reaching, one of the most interesting and, possibly immediately obvious, is that statistically, working parents are less happy than nonparents.

A study published in the National Library of Medicine looking at a nationwide examination of the variations between parenthood and happiness in societies found evidence of lower levels of happiness among parents than nonparents in industrialized societies. Possibly not surprisingly, the U.S. showed the largest rates of disadvantages in parenthood.

The point in sharing this is not to make someone depressed but rather informed, because the findings in the article also showed that workplaces with more generous family policies like paid time off and childcare support, are associated with the lessening of that unhappiness rate.

The bottom line is, industry standards as a whole have a significant impact not only on people’s ability to parent but an inseparable link to the emotional processes connected to the challenge of being a working parent. When combined with the usual stresses associated with parenting— emotional, financial, physical, and psychological— parents who are working and raising kids have a lot to be stressed out about.

Fortunately, these problems have become commonplace and prevalent enough that conversations around how to rectify the issues have turned into ideas for action. Here are some of those workplace policies from around the world that research shows would be beneficial implementations to make your life easier as a parent.

Creating New Culture of Support

Companies that make the space and time to hear the thoughts and concerns of their employees are demonstrating not just sympathy, but a proactive approach to changing workplace culture. Companies that honor the various needs required for working parents to maintain a healthy work life balance are a powerful way to align corporate goals with employee goals.

Companies that encourage a culture of listening, where people can tell you what is helpful and important to them are a powerful force in the workplace and at home. In the workplace, people who feel heard, cared for, and supported are much more likely to stay with that company and even be excited to work. This drops attrition rates and improved morale adds up to more productivity.

In the home, the flexibility and support from employers allows for greater engagement at home and with families serving to help mitigate and maintain lower stress levels. So whether that means a shorter work week, or more flexible work options, both sides win.

Maternity and Paternity Leave

According to a Boston college study, nearly 90% of people polled said that maternity/paternity leave is a major factor in how people decide if a job is right for them. Interestingly, 86% of people said that they would only take that time off if the leave was paid. The average amount of time being taken off in relation to a new baby’s birth was only around 2 weeks’ time— which falls on the short end of what is considered the ideal range of 2-4 weeks.

Currently in the U.S. as a result of the Family and Medical Leave Act, which provides 12 weeks’ worth of job protection for either parent to take, the policy only applies to unpaid leave. Sadly, but not surprisingly, only one out of every eight jobs in America today offers paid leave. Workplace policies are not only behind the times, but they are also not in line with what people want or need to be able to support themselves and a job well.

The complexities of work and parenting should be the responsibility of employers. Employees would be better off for it, and so would the country’s health. When taking such factors into account, costs and benefits, new workplace policies are clearly great implementations for an easier life as an employed parent.

Photo Credits

Image by shaila19 from Pixabay

Guest Author Bio
Sarah Daren

With a Bachelor’s in Health Science along with an MBA, Sarah Daren has a wealth of knowledge within both the health and business sectors. Her expertise in scaling and identifying ways tech can improve the lives of others has led Sarah to be a consultant for a number of startup businesses, most prominently in the wellness industry, wearable technology and health education. She implements her health knowledge into every aspect of her life with a focus on making America a healthier and safer place for future generations to come.

You can make the whole transition smoother by helping your older child understand the needs of their new sibling. This will teach your first child responsibility and will help form a strong bond between your children.

Baby Care

All parents are afraid that their first child will become jealous of the new arrival. While some jealousy is to be expected, most children love having a sibling around the house and will get invested in caring for and loving the baby when it arrives.

If your first child is still young, try to have them help out with things they’ll enjoy. For example, they might like feeding the baby or helping to swaddle it. These straightforward tasks can empower your first child and help them feel like part of the team.

Giving your first child an opportunity to show affection for the new baby is also an important part of their growth together. Set aside time in your weekly calendar for things that you plan to do together. These can even be practical things you have to attend to, like a well-child check.

A licensed pediatrician uses a well-child check to measure things like your baby’s weight and vital signs. This check-up can spot issues and is designed to empower you as a parent. Bringing your older child along can help them feel like part of the parenting team, as they’ll hear what the doctor has to say firsthand. This can help with your efforts to educate your older child about the needs of their new sibling.

Education

Most older siblings are curious about their new baby brother or sister and want to learn more about the baby in their home. You can tap into this curiosity to help your first child transition to life with a sibling.

Start by teaching your older child about the basics of baby care. This will help your child understand why their sibling is getting so much attention and new things bought for them. For example, you can help your first child understand safe sleep guidelines by involving them when you are buying new rockers, cribs, or bassinet.

Likewise, you can educate your firstborn to help them understand the basics of mindfulness. As a parent, you can use mindfulness to help calm yourself after a long night of distributed sleep and baby-care stress. Your firstborn is also likely to feel overwhelmed at some point, so have them practice a few mindfulness techniques with you like writing or yoga practices.

Community Support

As a parent of two, you’ll need to lean on your community to help give your children the care and attention they need. Leaning on community support can be particularly helpful for your first child, as they may become bored while you have to look after the baby.

If your first child is sporty, consider reaching out to other parents and working together to pool your resources. Most other parents are understanding and may even offer to do most of the transport while you care for your newborn.

Leaning on community support is a great way to free up time and reduce your stress. However, you still need to be present for your firstborn during the day. Try to attend as many events and show your support by bringing the whole family along to things like sports matches and theatrical performances.

Creating a Space for Your First Child

Your first child may instantly fall in love with their new sibling. However, even the most loving of siblings need their own space sometimes. Creating a space just for your first child can help them feel respected and independent in your home.

Creating a space for your firstborn is particularly important if they are neurodiverse. We all need different things from our environment and children who live with conditions like ADHD may need a space that helps them find happiness and joy during independent play.

You can set up your home environment to support a child with ADHD by picking calming colors and choosing sensory-friendly fabrics when possible. Cotton, soft wool, or bamboo feel great and can support their ability to focus.

You can make your first child’s space more interesting by adding an exercise area. Letting your child burn off some steam while you care for the baby will make a big difference in their health and well-being. Low-cost options include exercise balls and yoga mats. Just be sure that anything you install is child safe to reduce the risk of injury.

Conclusion

Your firstborn will quickly learn to love their new sibling. You can make the transition to a two-child household that much easier by educating your child and giving them baby-care responsibilities. Just be sure to give them some space for themselves, as all kids need room to play independently sometimes.

Photo Credit

Photo by Alexander Dummer on Unsplash

Guest Author Bio
Jori Hamilton

Jori Hamilton is a writer and journalist from the Pacific Northwest who covers social justice issues, healthcare, and politics. You can follow her work on twitter @HamiltonJori, and through her portfolio at Writer Jori Hamilton.

It’s only when you’re trying to figure out how to put a diaper on something that wiggles so much, or wondering passively if your home used to be filled with noises that weren’t screaming infant cries that you realize things are irretrievably different.

There are challenges to being a new parent. These pain points or adjustments are, for the most part, what will be described below. However, it’s important to understand that the way you feel reading about these things will be much different than the way you will feel experiencing them.

Being a new parent is such a joyous exciting time, you don’t mind most of the frustrations.

It Doesn’t Change

Ha. No. We’re kidding. It definitely does. But the way life changes after becoming a parent can be very subjective. It will depend on the sort of person you are and your child’s personality. The considerations we have featured below are of a general nature — that’s to say that they represent a change in life circumstances that are as close to universal as it gets for new parents.

Friends Become Less Relatable

You’re telling me you don’t clean up human poop every thirty minutes of the day? How odd. The details of your life shift pretty radically once a child is introduced into the equation. If you are one of the first people in your friend group to have a child, you will quickly find that their life experiences no longer match up so well with your own.

That doesn’t mean you will lose friends just because you’ve had a child. It’s just that the dynamic tends to change a little bit. At 8 PM, when they are ready to go out, you’ll be sitting on a couch, struggling against your eyelids. Or — yes. Changing a diaper.

Money

The financial reality of having children reveals itself relatively slowly. Sure, the moment you leave the hospital with your newborn, you’ll begin getting obscenely large bills in the mail — something to the tune of $3000-5000 all totaled.

But that’s only the tip of the iceberg. The other expenses will stack up gradually — particularly if you start out, as many first-time parents do, with a deluge of gifts. Toys, books, and clothes, that keep you from needing to buy much of anything for the first few months.

Breastfeeding mothers stave off the eventual expenses for even longer by avoiding the sometimes very high cost of formula. Make no mistake though. These things only delay the inevitable.

It’s been estimated that the cost of raising a child to the age of 18 is around $200,000. Now, there are certainly ways — many ways to reduce that cost considerably. No matter how you slice it though, you’re going to start seeing an increase in your food budget. Your clothing budget. Going to restaurants or movies will become more expensive.

Up until college, any single moment will rarely be tremendously expensive. What new parents learn is that children cost money constantly in small ways that can add up big in the end.

Time

Buckle up. You’re in newborn time for the next year or so. Then you’re in toddler time and trust us, it isn’t much better. Babies are very needy. For the first few months, your days will pretty much consist of giving them naps, feeding them, and trying very hard to get them on a sleep schedule that takes 3 AM out of the equation entirely. Good luck with that one.

Because newborns need so much, you won’t have time for other things. Eventually, your life will experience shades of normalcy, but for right now, the baby makes the schedule.

Sleep

There are stories of babies who sleep normal, human-like hours. Infants who wouldn’t dream of crying at night, even if they’d just watched the first fifteen minutes of Up. Here’s hoping yours is like that. If not, you can expect your sleep schedule to experience a radical shakeup.

Of course, it’s entirely logical — night and day are no different for a young child. All they know is that they don’t feel right and they need you to take care of it. The good news is that they’re never shy about asking for it. The bad news is that for the next few months it may mean that sleep is but a distant memory for you.

You can play around with the nap and feeding schedule to try and get your baby’s sleep routine to sync up with your own. This will usually take a while, but of course, the results are well worth it.

Your Sense of Worry

It’s not uncommon to hear a new parent say something like, “Well, the rash wasn’t going away so I took her to the emergency room, and — you’re going to laugh. It was a lipstick smudge!”

New parents have reason to worry. Babies are fragile. And because their immune systems are so new, they actually are susceptible to a wide range of illnesses.

Try not to worry too much though. Everything is going to be OK.

Boundaries with Friends and Family Members

This is a hot-button issue many new parents didn’t even know to expect. The way your friends and family members wish to interact with your child may differ from how you want them to. It may feel awkward asking your aunt to stop kissing your child on the face (remember that lipstick-related ER visit? Turns out Aunt Kelly was to blame). Or asking your dad to wash his hands before he holds the baby.

Do it anyway.

Here’s the thing — the kid isn’t going anywhere for a while. The boundaries you establish now don’t just pertain to the present. They help set the tone for the next eighteen years of friend and family interactions.

Heads up: it probably will be uncomfortable. It may even cause a little bit of temporary tension. You should still do it. You’re not pushing people away. You’re simply making it clear that as the parent you have the first and final say on how people interact with your child.

Photo Credit

Image by Stephanie Pratt from Pixabay

Guest Author Bio
Sarah Daren

With a Bachelor’s in Health Science along with an MBA, Sarah Daren has a wealth of knowledge within both the health and business sectors. Her expertise in scaling and identifying ways tech can improve the lives of others has led Sarah to be a consultant for a number of startup businesses, most prominently in the wellness industry, wearable technology and health education. She implements her health knowledge into every aspect of her life with a focus on making America a healthier and safer place for future generations to come.

When you have children, divorce presents an entirely new set of challenges.

Having children with your former spouse means you’ll always be connected somehow. You’ll need to be able to establish a new sort of relationship with them that allows you both to effectively co-parent without causing or fueling unnecessary drama.

So, how can you be a positive co-parent? How can you ensure you’re putting your kids first after your divorce so their lives don’t feel completely uprooted? Let’s cover a few tips you can use to do your part as a co-parent.

Map Out a Plan of Action

If you can still get along with your former partner and your divorce ended on “good terms,” it should be relatively easy to co-parent without arguing or disagreeing on every decision.

However, that’s not always the case.

If it’s difficult for you and your ex to get along or agree on things, one of the best ways to be an effective co-parent is to create a plan or strategy you’re both willing to follow. When you have a concrete plan in place, you won’t have to meet as often to discuss things, because you’ve already agreed on them.

Your plan of action should focus on solving any problems that might arise, including everything from scheduling to how to handle discussions about serious issues or situations in your child’s life. You can create a problem-solving flowchart to make it easier to visualize, address, and solve these issues. During this process, you’ll need to take the following steps:

1. Define the problem.
2. Brainstorm solutions.
3. Pick a solution that works.
4. Implement your solution.

You can then reconnect with your co-parent to discuss the results of your solution and what you might want to do differently next time. Not only does this type of plan keep you on the same page, but it also helps reduce the chances of an argument over any little things that might come up.

Put Your Children First

If you have a hard time getting along with your ex or you’re just struggling to deal with the differences in your life after a divorce, the best thing you can do is to make decisions with the well-being of your children in mind.

That requires effective communication.

Of course, it’s not always easy to communicate with a former spouse, especially if there’s contention in the relationship. The worst thing you can do is put your children in the middle of that contention. They shouldn’t serve as a “go-between” for communication.

Instead, sit down with your ex and discuss how you can communicate and make decisions with your children’s best interests in mind. Some of the best co-parenting communication techniques you can use to keep things productive include:

• Staying respectful
• Practicing a cooperative approach
• Providing necessary information
• Trying to stay on the same page

There’s no one single way to communicate. Figure out what works best for you, as co-parents, so you can maintain consistent communication without overwhelming yourself. It’s okay for your conversations to occur via email or even through a co-parenting app if that’s what you’re most comfortable with.

In addition to effective communication, being on the same page means deciding what’s best for your kids in every situation. It’s tempting to be “selfish” and fight back against every decision. However, when you both let go of your pride and pain, it will be easier to make decisions that help your kids feel secure. Offer them consistency and safety, and set a positive example they can carry into the future and use as they develop their own relationships.

Manage Your Mental Health

One AARP study found that up to 28% of people experience depression following a divorce. Even if you don’t receive an official diagnosis, it’s not uncommon to feel down, stressed, or even anxious about the way your life is changing.

When you have kids, those feelings can often be amplified. You might worry about what their lives will look like now, how your schedule will change with them, or you might even dread the fact that you’ll have to split your time with them evenly with your ex.

Protecting your children’s mental health is crucial. However, as long as they know they are loved and safe — and they maintain some consistency in their lives — they’re less likely to experience many mental hardships. Managing your own mental health is just as important, though it may not be as easy.

You can’t effectively take care of your kids if you’re overwhelmed with stress, sadness, or grief. Find ways to practice self-care every day so you can reduce your stress levels and keep moving forward. Things like exercise, mindfulness, meditation, growing a garden, or journaling can all benefit your mental health and make it easier to manage symptoms of sadness or anxiety.

Having a strong support system can also make a big difference. It’s not uncommon to feel alone after a divorce. Leaning on the people who care about you can make it easier to fight that feeling and stay strong for your children. In some cases, you might even benefit from seeking out professional help from a therapist or counselor.

Co-parenting after a divorce might seem stressful now. However, by putting your kids first and committing to a drama-free relationship with your ex, it’s possible to successfully raise your kids together – apart. Keep these tips in mind as you move forward, take a deep breath, and know that as long as you commit to being a positive co-parent, you’re giving your kids the best chance at a normal, happy, healthy life.

Photo Credit

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Guest Author Bio
Jori Hamilton

Jori Hamilton is a writer and journalist from the Pacific Northwest who covers social justice issues, healthcare, and politics. You can follow her work on twitter @HamiltonJori, and through her portfolio at Writer Jori Hamilton.

Hiking is also a great way to lift your kids’ spirits if they are feeling a bit cooped up and depressed. These days especially, it’s easy for kids to get sucked into technology, spending too much time indoors. Just make sure you know the difference between a kid who is depressed and could use some healing nature and a kid who is fatigued. If your child is simply feeling down, getting them outside can help, but if your child is not getting enough sleep and is exhausted, pushing them to go on a hike can make it worse.

Overall, hiking can be incredibly enjoyable for you and your kids so long as you are prepared and make it fun. Just remember that hiking is less about making it to the end and more about the experience for young children. Follow the tips below to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable time hiking with your kids in the great outdoors.

Take Them Shopping for Gear

A great way to get your kids interested in a hike is to take them with you when you go shopping for gear and essentials. Let them have some say in the products you buy, like their hiking clothes, shoes, backpack, and water bottle. Make sure their choices make sense, as it’s ultimately up to you to ensure they have the proper gear — but letting them make decisions and giving them choices will boost their confidence and enjoyment of the overall experience. Teach them how to pack minimally. You can carry the bulk of their gear while they carry the necessities. This will help them with their stamina throughout the hike.

Choose Shorter Hikes to Start

One of the biggest mistakes you can make and should avoid from the start is pushing your kids to finish the hike. It’s important to instill a sense of perseverance and then reward them for a job well done, sure, but pushing them to finish a long hike when they are just starting out is likely to kill their interest in it. It’s better to start easy and small and to turn back if needed. Focus on the victories of the day and the things that you enjoyed to encourage their interest.

Make It Fun

Just because you find simply walking quietly in nature enjoyable doesn’t mean your kids will. They have much shorter attention spans than adults, so it’s helpful if you can find ways to make the experience more fun for them. For example, try singing some songs or playing games that engage their interest in the nature around them.

Keep Them Fueled and Hydrated

Staying hydrated is essential for any hiker, but it is especially crucial when hiking with kids. Dehydration can easily occur when your kids are burning more energy and sweating more than usual. Snacks are also a good idea, even if the hike is short. Fueling your kids with the right foods can keep them happy and boost their energy and endurance levels to keep them motivated.

Encourage Curiosity and Interest in Nature

Ask questions and talk to your kids about the plant and animal life they see around them to help them develop an interest in nature. Children are curious by nature, so it doesn’t take much to encourage them to ask questions themselves and to seek answers. You can even turn the identification of plants, insects, and animals into a game to make it more fun.

Know Their Limits

Again, kids don’t have the same strength and endurance as adults, so you should be mindful of their limits. If you push them too hard, it will discourage them. Teach them that it’s okay to take a break if they need to because, while hiking is fun, it’s important to listen to your body and give it what it needs. Encourage them to listen to their own bodies as well, and to speak up when they need to rest, drink some water, or go to the bathroom.

Stay Safe

Before leaving for the hike, it’s important to review outdoor safety with your kids and encourage them to take responsibility and stay alert. However, when they are having fun and distracted, it’s easy for kids to forget to pay attention and avoid dangers — so it’s up to you to remind them and keep them safe while hiking. You should always hike with a first-aid kit and be mindful of potential triggers if your kids have known allergies, like pollen, pine, or even your dog’s coat.

Final Thoughts

If you properly prepare, pack the right tools and essentials, and find ways to make it fun, your kids will likely learn to love hiking as much as you. However, no matter what you do, there may be times when your kids are just not into it or are having a harder time enjoying the hike than usual. Sometimes they just don’t want to hike, and that’s okay.

The key to having a good time hiking with kids is patience. Forcing them to do it is not a good idea and will likely make them push back even harder. Just breathe, take your time, try to make it fun, and take it one step at a time.

Photo Credit

Photo by Анна Рыжкова from Pexels

Guest Author Bio
Jori Hamilton

Jori Hamilton is a writer and journalist from the Pacific Northwest who covers social justice issues, healthcare, and politics. You can follow her work on twitter @HamiltonJori, and through her portfolio at Writer Jori Hamilton.