It was a typical morning around the house. Between dressing and feeding the kids and making herself look presentable, this mom wondered if she even knew who she was anymore. She enjoyed her children, but always felt like she lived in the mommy fog and had no time for herself.
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Mom-Take-Care-of-Yourself.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-09-10 00:00:002022-08-03 16:26:48Mom, Take Care of Yourself
At the beginning of the school year, a second grade teacher in Texas sent this letter home to her classroom parents:After much research this summer, I am trying something new. Homework will only consist of work that your student did not finish during the school day. There will be no formally assigned homework this year.Research has been unable to prove that homework improves student performance.
How do you feel when your child has a meltdown? You probably do everything you can think of to help them, but absolutely nothing works. It could be in the store checkout line, at bedtime, the second you walk in your friend’s house or at a birthday party.
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/How-to-Help-Children-Handle-Emotions-1.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-09-08 00:00:002021-04-07 10:05:36How to Help Children Handle Their Emotions
You can help them learn how to challenge and confront false ideas.
When Sara left home on the first day of sixth grade, she was super-excited about starting middle school. She was anything but excited when she got in the car at the the end of the day.Sara told her mom that her friends since kindergarten had decided to end their friendship. The leader of group had told them, “We don’t like her anymore,” a statement that launched Sara and her family into a year of chaos.Every impulse in Sara’s mom wanted to hunt down those girls, but she knew better than to do th…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/How-to-Help-Kids-Handle-Rejection.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-09-08 00:00:002022-08-04 15:05:19How to Help Kids Handle Rejection
As Christmas approaches, some eagerly anticipate celebrating in the same way they always have. Others are ready to shake things up a bit and do something a little different.The thought of buying presents for all of their children and grandchildren overwhelmed Terri and Bill, especially when nobody really needed anything. After several conversations about what to do, they finally decided to give their family a special gift of time and togetherness.
You can help them process what's going on and guide them along the way.
When tragedy strikes, it seems to bring out the best and the worst in people. Recently, we have witnessed what may feel like one tragedy after another. Fires, shootings and a horrific bus accident have left people reeling in pain and raw with emotion.While some experienced personal loss and/or injury, these events have impacted everyone in the community.
You don't have to break the bank to celebrate Christmas! Here's a quick list of ways to make memories. It's so easy, you can't afford NOT to take a look.Make decorations for your house and the Christmas tree as a family.
The song says it’s the most wonderful time of the year. And, in a lot of ways, it is wonderful. Something about the season seems to bring out the best in many folks.
What you do with it can either build up or destroy relationships.
Have you ever come home from work with an expectation that blew up right in your face?Your “quiet evening at home” turns chaotic when one of your children says they have a science project due tomorrow and your other child suddenly needs cupcakes for the class party. So much for a calm evening after an exhausting day.You head to the grocery store for supplies and your spouse begins to oversee the science project. When you return, you realize you should have also picked up some lice-killing shampo…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Why-Anger-Isnt-Good-or-Bad.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-09-07 00:00:002021-01-07 15:23:11Why Anger Isn’t Good or Bad
Get those summer plans in motion with the perfect camp for your child.
Just hearing the words, “summer camp” can make people smile. Why? Because it’s hard to forget a summer filled with new friendships and learning new things.
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Choosing-a-Summer-Camp-for-Your-Kids.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-09-07 00:00:002022-04-12 10:36:54Choosing a Summer Camp for Your Kids
If you have teens or college-age young adults, you’ve probably had (or soon will have) ongoing conversations about how they’ll spend their break.As kids try to get permission (and money!) for the trip, you’ll hear phrases like these. “I’m almost an adult. This is a rite of passage.” Or, “It’s what college students do.
Harvard psychologists say these things really matter.
Any parent headed home with their first child is probably a bit nervous about this whole parenthood thing. You really want to raise good kids, but unfortunately, each unique baby doesn’t come with its own manual.Whether you shop local or go to Amazon for parenting help, hundreds of books offer different perspectives on the best way to raise good children. In spite of the many approaches, however, a group of Harvard psychologists found that it really boils down to some very basic strategies…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/5-tips-for-raising-good-kids.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-09-07 00:00:002021-11-23 10:41:415 Tips for Raising Good Kids
Make sure your child knows what is ok and what isn't.
People across America paid close attention to news about missing teen, Elizabeth Thomas, and her alleged kidnapper, Tad Cummins. After a nationwide manhunt, authorities continued to uncover evidence of an inappropriate romantic relationship between the girl and her 50-year-old teacher. Experts now believe Cummins had been grooming the student for a while.This is a parent’s worst nightmare.
Parents of young children often discuss among themselves whether they are doing all the right things to help their kids become healthy, happy adults.How many activities should they be involved in? How much sleep do they really need? Is it bad to fix something different for each child for dinner?
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/3Things-Each-Person-in-your-Family-Needs-to-Know.jpeg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-09-06 00:00:002022-08-08 16:23:583 Things Each Person in Your Family Needs to Know
Of the 76 million children living in the United States, a staggering 60 percent (46 million) of them will experience violence, abuse, crime and psychological trauma before they turn 18. That’s according to the U.S. Department of Justice.Believe it or not, home life plays a huge part in these statistics.
We can help to create safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments for kids.
Many children are exposed to abuse, neglect and family dysfunction which experts often refer to as toxic stress. But why can some kids who encounter toxic stress move beyond it and lead a healthy life while others cannot?That’s the question researchers set out to answer in one of the largest investigations of childhood abuse and neglect and later-life health and well-being. The study, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Kaiser Permanente, is called the Adverse Childhood Experi…
Sometimes those left behind feel like a piece of them is missing.
In 2001, Regina R. Robertson hated her day job, so she was very thankful, and relieved, when she was ultimately fired. She also felt free to pursue a new path, as a writer.
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Life-Without-a-Father.jpg9201400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-09-01 00:00:002022-07-26 14:08:34Life Without a Father
If someone asked you about your family history, would you know how your great grandparents met or what life was like for them growing up?Chris Cummings’ mom was diagnosed with early-onset dementia when she was 48. He saw firsthand how a family member’s memories can slip away and impact families.“My mom struggled with multiple sclerosis for many years before the dementia started,” says Cummings. “I took on the role of caregiver to her at a very early age.
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/How-You-Can-Pass-Down-Your-Family-History.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-08-31 00:00:002022-08-23 09:12:38How You Can Pass Down Your Family History
You may want to figure out what you want kids to learn from playing the game.
Jim and Susan* were very purposeful in their decision to let their 6-year-old son play baseball. Jonathan seemed to enjoy the game and actually played well enough to make the All-Star team.“The regular season ended on a Saturday and All-Star practice began on Mother’s Day,” says Jim. “They practiced every day that week with their first game on Friday.
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Kids-and-Sports-What-Really-Matters-1.jpg9351400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-08-31 00:00:002022-08-11 09:38:53Kids and Sports: What Really Matters
When our daughter graduated from high school a few years ago, I asked a number of people in her life to write her a letter to congratulate her on this accomplishment. I asked them to include words of wisdom as she moved into her next phase of life.I made a scrapbook with the letters and gave it to her as she headed off to college. In my mind, the purpose of the scrapbook was two-fold.
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/5-reasons-you-should-celebrate-milestones.jpg9001350Julie Baumgardnerhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2017-08-31 00:00:002022-05-10 14:17:575 Reasons You Should Celebrate Milestones
Mom, Take Care of Yourself
It was a typical morning around the house. Between dressing and feeding the kids and making herself look presentable, this mom wondered if she even knew who she was anymore. She enjoyed her children, but always felt like she lived in the mommy fog and had no time for herself.
Dealing with Homework Pressures
At the beginning of the school year, a second grade teacher in Texas sent this letter home to her classroom parents:After much research this summer, I am trying something new. Homework will only consist of work that your student did not finish during the school day. There will be no formally assigned homework this year.Research has been unable to prove that homework improves student performance.
How to Help Children Handle Their Emotions
How do you feel when your child has a meltdown? You probably do everything you can think of to help them, but absolutely nothing works. It could be in the store checkout line, at bedtime, the second you walk in your friend’s house or at a birthday party.
How to Help Kids Handle Rejection
When Sara left home on the first day of sixth grade, she was super-excited about starting middle school. She was anything but excited when she got in the car at the the end of the day.Sara told her mom that her friends since kindergarten had decided to end their friendship. The leader of group had told them, “We don’t like her anymore,” a statement that launched Sara and her family into a year of chaos.Every impulse in Sara’s mom wanted to hunt down those girls, but she knew better than to do th…
Ideas for Celebrating Christmas
As Christmas approaches, some eagerly anticipate celebrating in the same way they always have. Others are ready to shake things up a bit and do something a little different.The thought of buying presents for all of their children and grandchildren overwhelmed Terri and Bill, especially when nobody really needed anything. After several conversations about what to do, they finally decided to give their family a special gift of time and togetherness.
Give Kids Hope After Tragedy
When tragedy strikes, it seems to bring out the best and the worst in people. Recently, we have witnessed what may feel like one tragedy after another. Fires, shootings and a horrific bus accident have left people reeling in pain and raw with emotion.While some experienced personal loss and/or injury, these events have impacted everyone in the community.
24 Meaningful and Frugal Family Christmas Traditions
You don't have to break the bank to celebrate Christmas! Here's a quick list of ways to make memories. It's so easy, you can't afford NOT to take a look.Make decorations for your house and the Christmas tree as a family.
A Parents’ Holiday Survival Guide
The song says it’s the most wonderful time of the year. And, in a lot of ways, it is wonderful. Something about the season seems to bring out the best in many folks.
Why Anger Isn’t Good or Bad
Have you ever come home from work with an expectation that blew up right in your face?Your “quiet evening at home” turns chaotic when one of your children says they have a science project due tomorrow and your other child suddenly needs cupcakes for the class party. So much for a calm evening after an exhausting day.You head to the grocery store for supplies and your spouse begins to oversee the science project. When you return, you realize you should have also picked up some lice-killing shampo…
Choosing a Summer Camp for Your Kids
Just hearing the words, “summer camp” can make people smile. Why? Because it’s hard to forget a summer filled with new friendships and learning new things.
Spring Break Safety Tips
If you have teens or college-age young adults, you’ve probably had (or soon will have) ongoing conversations about how they’ll spend their break.As kids try to get permission (and money!) for the trip, you’ll hear phrases like these. “I’m almost an adult. This is a rite of passage.” Or, “It’s what college students do.
5 Tips for Raising Good Kids
Any parent headed home with their first child is probably a bit nervous about this whole parenthood thing. You really want to raise good kids, but unfortunately, each unique baby doesn’t come with its own manual.Whether you shop local or go to Amazon for parenting help, hundreds of books offer different perspectives on the best way to raise good children. In spite of the many approaches, however, a group of Harvard psychologists found that it really boils down to some very basic strategies…
4 Ways to Keep Your Kids Safe
People across America paid close attention to news about missing teen, Elizabeth Thomas, and her alleged kidnapper, Tad Cummins. After a nationwide manhunt, authorities continued to uncover evidence of an inappropriate romantic relationship between the girl and her 50-year-old teacher. Experts now believe Cummins had been grooming the student for a while.This is a parent’s worst nightmare.
3 Things Each Person in Your Family Needs to Know
Parents of young children often discuss among themselves whether they are doing all the right things to help their kids become healthy, happy adults.How many activities should they be involved in? How much sleep do they really need? Is it bad to fix something different for each child for dinner?
The Effects of Childhood Trauma
Of the 76 million children living in the United States, a staggering 60 percent (46 million) of them will experience violence, abuse, crime and psychological trauma before they turn 18. That’s according to the U.S. Department of Justice.Believe it or not, home life plays a huge part in these statistics.
The Long-Term Effects of Childhood Stress
Many children are exposed to abuse, neglect and family dysfunction which experts often refer to as toxic stress. But why can some kids who encounter toxic stress move beyond it and lead a healthy life while others cannot?That’s the question researchers set out to answer in one of the largest investigations of childhood abuse and neglect and later-life health and well-being. The study, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Kaiser Permanente, is called the Adverse Childhood Experi…
Life Without a Father
In 2001, Regina R. Robertson hated her day job, so she was very thankful, and relieved, when she was ultimately fired. She also felt free to pursue a new path, as a writer.
How You Can Pass Down Your Family History
If someone asked you about your family history, would you know how your great grandparents met or what life was like for them growing up?Chris Cummings’ mom was diagnosed with early-onset dementia when she was 48. He saw firsthand how a family member’s memories can slip away and impact families.“My mom struggled with multiple sclerosis for many years before the dementia started,” says Cummings. “I took on the role of caregiver to her at a very early age.
Kids and Sports: What Really Matters
Jim and Susan* were very purposeful in their decision to let their 6-year-old son play baseball. Jonathan seemed to enjoy the game and actually played well enough to make the All-Star team.“The regular season ended on a Saturday and All-Star practice began on Mother’s Day,” says Jim. “They practiced every day that week with their first game on Friday.
5 Reasons You Should Celebrate Milestones
When our daughter graduated from high school a few years ago, I asked a number of people in her life to write her a letter to congratulate her on this accomplishment. I asked them to include words of wisdom as she moved into her next phase of life.I made a scrapbook with the letters and gave it to her as she headed off to college. In my mind, the purpose of the scrapbook was two-fold.
P.O. Box 391
Chattanooga, TN 37401
423-267-5383
By engaging with our content or purchasing resources, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy | © 2026 First Things First