ParentFurther Blog

Want a "Close" Relationship With Your Child? Then Back Off!

By: Mark Friestad, Guest Blogger

We all value “close” relationships. There’s a level of intimacy and reciprocity that makes both people feel validated. Communication flows freely, and there’s a high amount of mutual respect. Everyone knows that having a close family is better than having an estranged one. But that’s just the problem. Read more >>

Other Blog Posts

Oh My Gaaawwd, Mom! You’re Such an Idiot!

By: Jennifer Griffin-Wiesner

Sass. Tantrums. Whining. Shop Guy (my husband) and I have seen it all—and then some. Fortunately, I was an emotional kid too (okay, bratty at times), despite having fabulous parents whom I adore. That perspective let me know that these behaviors weren’t about us being bad parents or having bad kids. They resulted from dynamics of personality and situation. Read more >

The Voices In Our Heads: Effective Boundary-Setting Tips for Kids of All Ages

By: Michele Timmons

As our children grow and develop, we have the opportunity to spend less and less time with them. By taking the time to set and enforce clear boundaries and expectations when they are young, our voices stay with them when they’re out on their own. Read more >

How to Help Your Teen Boost Body Image, Self-Esteem

By: Guest Blogger, Lauren Bailey

Building self-esteem isn’t as easy as patting your child on the back and telling her how great she is. The following are some concrete tips that parents can implement to develop a strong sense of self-worth in their teenagers. Get tips >

Empathy: Why It's Important, Why We Should Nurture It in Our Kids

By: Steve Palmer

One of the most important skills we can teach our kids is empathy. Empathy is the ability to see and value what another person is feeling or experiencing. When we see someone in pain and feel that response in our own gut, that’s empathy. When we see someone crying tears of joy at an important reunion and notice ourselves choking up, that’s empathy. When we see someone struggling with a problem and feel an emotional pull to help, that’s empathy. It’s a core skill for what psychologists call “pro-social” behavior – the actions that are involved in building close relationships, maintaining friendships, and developing strong communities. It appears to be the central reality necessary for developing a conscience, as well. Read more >

Ohio High School Shooting a Call to Action: Let's Put a Human Face on School Safety

By: Guest Blogger, Stephen R. Sroka, Ph.D., President, Health Education Consultants

Today, we are better prepared to deal with and prevent school violence than we were in the days of Columbine, but there still is no guarantee that it will not happen in your school. What there are, however, are intelligent alternatives to reduce the risks. Read more >

Teaching Your Child Responsibility: Five Practical Parenting Strategies

By: Jennifer Griffin-Wiesner

The title of the post misleads: A personal value, which responsibility is, can’t actually be taught like long division or the periodic table. It can be nurtured and instilled, but certainly not engrained simply through exposure; this is one of the “letting go” lessons of parenting. Read more >

Be Better at 'Being There' for Your Kids: 4 Tips for Busy, Single Moms

By: Guest Blogger, Raquel Masco

We are thrilled to be featuring a guest post from our Twitter friend, who also happens to be an inspiring single mom and entrepreneur. As CEO and Co-Founder of a non-profit that supports and empowers single moms to act as change makers in their own communities, Raquel Masco knows all about balancing family time with a busy schedule. We asked Raquel to share with us, her tips for making quality time count despite life's hundreds of little (and big) demands. Get Raquel's tips! >

Advice for Dating Parents: Breaking It to Them Gently

By: Marie Williams

Are you a single parent who is ready to start dating again? Or maybe you’re a dating parent who’s not quite sure about how to break the news to your kids, or how to introduce your new partner to your kids. Consider these tips:
Read more >

What I Told My 10-Year-Old about Dating, Kissing, and Young Romance

Jennifer Griffin-Wiesner

Only you know, for sure, when the right time will present itself to have “the talk” with your kids. But, chances are, if you’re the parent of a tween, your kid may already be experiencing romantic drama in his or her own world. Did you know that one out of six 8 -11 year olds sees other students “kissing or making out” and 45% want more information on how to know when they are ready for a boyfriend or girlfriend¹? Here’s what I told my 10-year-old daughter about kissing, romance, and “dating” >

Are We There Yet? What I’ll Teach My Daughter this Black History Month

By: Marie Williams

This Black History Month, I will be taking full advantage of the opportunity to teach my daughter not only about where we came from, but the reasons we will never go back…Read more >