It’s no secret Dads play a special role in the lives of their children. Whether they’re fully present, somewhat present or not present at all, the impact fathers and even father figures have on children’s lives is profound. Yet a report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notes, “Too many fathers become…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/pexels-josh-willink-11499-1157395-scaled.jpg13652048Lauren Hallhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2025-06-15 10:00:002025-06-09 12:46:52The Unsung Superpower of Fathers: What Dads Really Bring to the Table
I’ve worked in the non-profit space long enough to know poverty wears more faces than just financial strain. And while my current reality is keeping my toddler from climbing everything in sight and trying to stop my six-year-old from sneakily waking up in the middle of the night to play legos for hours, I can’t…
There’s an old saying: “You can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family.” It’s a phrase often used when we’re caught between the emotional turmoil of familial obligation and the complex realities of our relationships. But does this mean we’re required to care for family members who’ve shown little to no care for…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/pexels-rdne-6149192-scaled.jpg13652048Lauren Hallhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2025-06-01 11:00:002025-05-29 13:01:57Should You Care for Family Members Who Never Cared for You?
If your household is anything like mine, summertime can feel like you’ve traded one color-coded calendar (school) for another (everything else). The good news? With a pinch of planning and a dash of research-backed creativity, families can turn the season into a relationship-building sandbox—no matter how full the calendar looks. Here’s the game plan. 1.…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/pexels-biova-nakou-465336-1471843-scaled-e1747325765732.jpg11332048Lauren Hallhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2025-05-25 10:00:002025-06-09 11:38:22From School Bells to Summer Breezes: 9 Ways to Make the Most of Summer
My (almost) two-year-old daughter loves to listen to Elmo songs. Thanks to AI, she can say “Hey Google, play Elmo” in any room in the house and her favorite jams will fill the speakers, so long as Google can “speak toddler” that day. While this is cute and convenient for her, it’s also created a…
As a 34-year-old mom of two (a Lego-obsessed 6-year-old and a toddler who thinks sleep is optional), wife of 12 years, and CEO of a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening families, I often find myself juggling more than just the usual daily tasks. It’s the mental load—the invisible, relentless stream of responsibilities—that truly weighs me down.…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/WP-Banner-scaled.jpg8962048Lauren Hallhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2025-05-06 10:45:442025-05-06 10:45:47The Invisible Load: Why Moms Are Mentally Maxed Out (and What We Can Do About It)
If you have children or grandchildren under the age of 8 years old, you’ve more than likely heard of the rise of gentle parenting. Met with mixed reviews, feelings and feedback, this parenting trend has generated a large buzz. But is this nurturing approach the parenting gold standard—or a recipe for raising emotionally fragile, mini-dictators?…
Last week, my one-year-old daughter discovered the comedy goldmine of me pretending to fall asleep at the dinner table. Nothing, and I mean nothing, makes her giggle like someone slowly closing their eyes and pretending to snore while they’re taking a bite of mashed potatoes. Meanwhile, my six-year-old son—nearly finishing his first year of kindergarten—has…
If you’ve ever found yourself eating leftover chicken nuggets off your toddler’s plate while frantically answering an email and mentally calculating how many minutes you have before soccer practice, congratulations—you may be experiencing family burnout. As a working parent of two young kids, I know the hustle all too well. Mornings are a frantic dash…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WP-Banner-scaled.jpg8962048Lauren Hallhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2025-04-02 11:07:192025-04-02 11:09:01Family Burnout: How to Spot It, Stop It, and Bounce Back
Last week, I had lunch with my five-year-old son and his kindergarten class. I try to eat lunch with him at least once a month, so all of his classmates know me fairly well. One extra talkative student planted themselves next to me and proceeded to tell me all about how one of their parents…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/WP-Banner-3-scaled.jpg8962048Lauren Hallhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2025-03-28 13:25:432025-03-28 13:25:46When a Parent Goes to Prison: The Unseen Sentence on Children
If you want to test a family’s strength, observe them during the throes of a long winter—or a sweltering summer. Just as nature transitions through the seasons, so do our family dynamics. The rhythm of our lives often mirrors the weather outside our windows, and research suggests that these environmental changes can influence everything from…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/WP-Banner-2-scaled.jpg8962048Lauren Hallhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2025-03-14 14:11:362025-03-14 14:11:40The Science of Seasonal Family Shifts
As a CEO, I participate in a lot of meetings. A couple of weeks ago, I attended a meeting with several other leaders who all shared common concerns about our community. It was immediately apparent to me that everyone at the table was well-versed and passionate about their area of expertise and service. It was…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/WP-Banner-1-scaled.jpg8962048Lauren Hallhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2025-03-10 15:31:082025-03-10 15:31:14How to Build Problem Solving Skills in Yourself and Your Children
If there’s one thing parenting will do, it’s expose the mindset you bring into it. Whether you’re a mom or dad, the way you approach obstacles—tantrums, sleepless nights, sibling fights, the existential crisis that is getting a toddler into a car seat—can shape not only your experience as a parent but also your child’s development.…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/WP-Banner-scaled.jpg8962048Lauren Hallhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2025-03-05 13:06:542025-03-05 13:06:59The Power of Your Mindset in Parenting
There’s something about spring that invites us to shed what’s stale and breathe fresh air into our homes. And believe it or not… spring will be here this month! It’s the season to dust off forgotten corners, donate what no longer serves us, and stand back to admire the crispness of a clean slate. But…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/WP-Banner-scaled.jpg8962048Lauren Hallhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2025-02-24 13:43:202025-02-24 13:43:23Spring Cleaning Your Relationships: Clearing Out Resentment, Guilt and Unspoken Expectations
I felt stuck in the grind, like I had spent too many days on wash, rinse, dry and repeat. My children had also been sick an unbelievable amount of times in just a few short weeks. Life felt like a flood of to do’s and routine rather than a beautiful journey to behold. That’s when…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Untitled-design-9.jpg7001600Lauren Hallhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2025-02-17 12:01:502025-02-19 14:50:33How Carefree Parenting Can Enhance Your Life
Australia recently enacted a law prohibiting children under 16 from accessing social media platforms. This legislation aims to address growing concerns about the impact of social media on the mental health and development of young people. While the law has its critics, citing questions about enforceability and personal freedoms, it also raises important questions about…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Untitled-design-10.jpg7001600Lauren Hallhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2025-01-12 08:43:002025-02-19 14:57:25Could a Social Media Ban Protect Children’s Mental Health?
Shame. It’s a small word, but it carries the weight of a wrecking ball. Unlike guilt, which says, I did something bad, shame whispers something far more sinister: I am bad. Left unchecked, shame can quietly sabotage our most precious relationships and leave us feeling trapped, isolated, and misunderstood, even around the holiday season. As…
Last week, I had an aha moment. I was on a call with a new donor for First Things First while simultaneously trying to convince my five-year-old to take his antibiotics for walking pneumonia, distracting my one-year-old from playing with the shiny knobs on the stove, and making dinner for my mom and dad who…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Untitled-design-11.jpg7001600Lauren Hallhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2024-12-15 09:58:072025-02-19 15:02:21It Takes a Village, But What Does a “Village” Look Like?
When my five-year-old begs me to have a playdate with his Nana and Poppy, and my one-year-old squeals with delight every time she hears a Facetime from a grandparent come through, I remember the joy I felt as a child when I engaged with my own grandparents. Not everyone has the same experience with their…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Untitled-design-12.jpg7001600Lauren Hallhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2024-12-01 10:38:042025-02-19 15:05:45Grandparents are a Grand Gift to Thriving Families
As a mom with a one-year-old, I know firsthand how tempting it can be to reach for a screen when trying to get through your to-do list—or just catch a breath. But as much as we love a little peace and quiet, studies reveal a growing concern about screen exposure for children under two, prompting…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Untitled-design-13.jpg7001600Lauren Hallhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2024-11-17 10:08:372025-02-19 15:10:07What We Now Know About Babies, Toddlers, and Screen Time
The Unsung Superpower of Fathers: What Dads Really Bring to the Table
It’s no secret Dads play a special role in the lives of their children. Whether they’re fully present, somewhat present or not present at all, the impact fathers and even father figures have on children’s lives is profound. Yet a report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notes, “Too many fathers become…
The Poverty We Don’t Talk About Enough
I’ve worked in the non-profit space long enough to know poverty wears more faces than just financial strain. And while my current reality is keeping my toddler from climbing everything in sight and trying to stop my six-year-old from sneakily waking up in the middle of the night to play legos for hours, I can’t…
Should You Care for Family Members Who Never Cared for You?
There’s an old saying: “You can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family.” It’s a phrase often used when we’re caught between the emotional turmoil of familial obligation and the complex realities of our relationships. But does this mean we’re required to care for family members who’ve shown little to no care for…
From School Bells to Summer Breezes: 9 Ways to Make the Most of Summer
If your household is anything like mine, summertime can feel like you’ve traded one color-coded calendar (school) for another (everything else). The good news? With a pinch of planning and a dash of research-backed creativity, families can turn the season into a relationship-building sandbox—no matter how full the calendar looks. Here’s the game plan. 1.…
How Artificial Intelligence is Shaping Families
My (almost) two-year-old daughter loves to listen to Elmo songs. Thanks to AI, she can say “Hey Google, play Elmo” in any room in the house and her favorite jams will fill the speakers, so long as Google can “speak toddler” that day. While this is cute and convenient for her, it’s also created a…
The Invisible Load: Why Moms Are Mentally Maxed Out (and What We Can Do About It)
As a 34-year-old mom of two (a Lego-obsessed 6-year-old and a toddler who thinks sleep is optional), wife of 12 years, and CEO of a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening families, I often find myself juggling more than just the usual daily tasks. It’s the mental load—the invisible, relentless stream of responsibilities—that truly weighs me down.…
The Rise of Gentle Parenting- Helpful or Harmful?
If you have children or grandchildren under the age of 8 years old, you’ve more than likely heard of the rise of gentle parenting. Met with mixed reviews, feelings and feedback, this parenting trend has generated a large buzz. But is this nurturing approach the parenting gold standard—or a recipe for raising emotionally fragile, mini-dictators?…
Happy Families Aren’t Just Lucky, They’re Intentional
Last week, my one-year-old daughter discovered the comedy goldmine of me pretending to fall asleep at the dinner table. Nothing, and I mean nothing, makes her giggle like someone slowly closing their eyes and pretending to snore while they’re taking a bite of mashed potatoes. Meanwhile, my six-year-old son—nearly finishing his first year of kindergarten—has…
Family Burnout: How to Spot It, Stop It, and Bounce Back
If you’ve ever found yourself eating leftover chicken nuggets off your toddler’s plate while frantically answering an email and mentally calculating how many minutes you have before soccer practice, congratulations—you may be experiencing family burnout. As a working parent of two young kids, I know the hustle all too well. Mornings are a frantic dash…
When a Parent Goes to Prison: The Unseen Sentence on Children
Last week, I had lunch with my five-year-old son and his kindergarten class. I try to eat lunch with him at least once a month, so all of his classmates know me fairly well. One extra talkative student planted themselves next to me and proceeded to tell me all about how one of their parents…
The Science of Seasonal Family Shifts
If you want to test a family’s strength, observe them during the throes of a long winter—or a sweltering summer. Just as nature transitions through the seasons, so do our family dynamics. The rhythm of our lives often mirrors the weather outside our windows, and research suggests that these environmental changes can influence everything from…
How to Build Problem Solving Skills in Yourself and Your Children
As a CEO, I participate in a lot of meetings. A couple of weeks ago, I attended a meeting with several other leaders who all shared common concerns about our community. It was immediately apparent to me that everyone at the table was well-versed and passionate about their area of expertise and service. It was…
The Power of Your Mindset in Parenting
If there’s one thing parenting will do, it’s expose the mindset you bring into it. Whether you’re a mom or dad, the way you approach obstacles—tantrums, sleepless nights, sibling fights, the existential crisis that is getting a toddler into a car seat—can shape not only your experience as a parent but also your child’s development.…
Spring Cleaning Your Relationships: Clearing Out Resentment, Guilt and Unspoken Expectations
There’s something about spring that invites us to shed what’s stale and breathe fresh air into our homes. And believe it or not… spring will be here this month! It’s the season to dust off forgotten corners, donate what no longer serves us, and stand back to admire the crispness of a clean slate. But…
How Carefree Parenting Can Enhance Your Life
I felt stuck in the grind, like I had spent too many days on wash, rinse, dry and repeat. My children had also been sick an unbelievable amount of times in just a few short weeks. Life felt like a flood of to do’s and routine rather than a beautiful journey to behold. That’s when…
Could a Social Media Ban Protect Children’s Mental Health?
Australia recently enacted a law prohibiting children under 16 from accessing social media platforms. This legislation aims to address growing concerns about the impact of social media on the mental health and development of young people. While the law has its critics, citing questions about enforceability and personal freedoms, it also raises important questions about…
How Shame Harms Everything in Our Relationships
Shame. It’s a small word, but it carries the weight of a wrecking ball. Unlike guilt, which says, I did something bad, shame whispers something far more sinister: I am bad. Left unchecked, shame can quietly sabotage our most precious relationships and leave us feeling trapped, isolated, and misunderstood, even around the holiday season. As…
It Takes a Village, But What Does a “Village” Look Like?
Last week, I had an aha moment. I was on a call with a new donor for First Things First while simultaneously trying to convince my five-year-old to take his antibiotics for walking pneumonia, distracting my one-year-old from playing with the shiny knobs on the stove, and making dinner for my mom and dad who…
Grandparents are a Grand Gift to Thriving Families
When my five-year-old begs me to have a playdate with his Nana and Poppy, and my one-year-old squeals with delight every time she hears a Facetime from a grandparent come through, I remember the joy I felt as a child when I engaged with my own grandparents. Not everyone has the same experience with their…
What We Now Know About Babies, Toddlers, and Screen Time
As a mom with a one-year-old, I know firsthand how tempting it can be to reach for a screen when trying to get through your to-do list—or just catch a breath. But as much as we love a little peace and quiet, studies reveal a growing concern about screen exposure for children under two, prompting…