December 10, 2021
top trending topics
💆 Do you tend to gravitate toward self-care or self-comfort?
🤗 Find more joy in parenting your children for years to come.
🎁 You’ll be surprised by these meaningful gifts your child really wants this Christmas.
💛 Lead by example when teaching your child about empathy.
✨ Cherish parenthood even through the stressful days.
tips & tricks for growth
avoid that dreaded holiday stress
While we can mostly agree that the holidays are some of the most wonderful times of the year, it’s easy to get caught up in trying to make each one the “best” holiday ever.
A lot of holiday stress comes from that expectation. Although we all want to avoid holiday stress, it usually shows up in different ways. It may look like wanting to purchase the perfect gifts, decorating your home immaculately, or preparing the food that everyone loves.
Let’s face it, stress happens! But there are some ways you can try to avoid it. These things can help you navigate the season with more peace:
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Create and utilize healthy boundaries
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Examine your priorities
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Focus on presence, not perfection
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Choose to see the positive
toddler twos: terrible or terrific?
Actually, I believe there’s no such thing as the terrible twos. I call this age a “magical time” when many developmental leaps take place. It’s a time of significant growth and development for you and your child.
The time between 2 and 4 is foundational as kids change physically, emotionally, and intellectually. They’re also learning and becoming their own person. It’s a time to look forward to and anticipate because the skill developments in this timeframe benefit you AND your child.
Here are a few things to remember:
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This is a necessary growth & development stage
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Choose your battles wisely
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This time lays the foundation for their future
You aren’t the only parent who has gone through this. More importantly, you aren’t the worst parent in the world. In reality, you are learning new skills. So, give yourself a break!
what we’re lovin’
This week’s picks come from Chris Gregory, husband to his wife of 23 years, Jodi, Dad of 3, and the Development Director here at First Things First. Take a peek at his recommendations for this week because they are just THAT GOOD. Check ’em out 👀:
🍪 Nothing says Christmas is here like Christmas Cookies! If you need a good recipe check out Holiday Butter Cookies. Have your kids help make them or make them ahead of time and just have a decorating party. Then you can share them with teachers, neighbors, or just eat them all with your kids.
📸 Kenny Deuss has mastered being a dad and put it in pictures. Check out his website On Adventure with Dad for some great pictures of a dad being awesome. I laugh every time he puts out a new picture!
🏞️ With everything that goes on during the holidays remember to take time to get outside. Take a hike, visit a local park, go for a bike ride or go watch a Christmas parade. Need some ideas of what to do? Check out Outside Online. They have a lot of free articles or you can join to access all their resources.
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