My kindergartener has a large number of friends. Of course, the majority of them are “girlfriends,” but that’s a topic for a different column on another day. The most consistent comments I’ve received about his personality is that he is very affectionate and social… sometimes a little too social. He even gained the nickname “The…

One brief scan of parenting accounts on social media and a quick Google search will reveal a new trending style of parenting called “lighthouse parenting.” The term was popularized by Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, a pediatrician and author who coined the phrase to describe a parenting style that combines nurturing protection with the freedom to let…

Humor in parenting is more than just a coping mechanism for the chaos—it’s a proven strategy for building stronger, healthier relationships with our children, while also boosting their mental health and resilience. Research shows that humor can enhance the emotional well-being of both parents and children. A longitudinal study published in Developmental Psychology followed children…

Last week, I had a “day.” A day where nothing went right. Our dog was sick, the laundry piles were touching the ceiling, my children’s emotions were running high and they were begging to spend time with me, plus I had three large looming deadlines at work. All of those elements felt impossible to work…

Our flight was canceled four hours before we were supposed to leave for our family beach vacation. We decided to drive for fourteen hours instead. With two children, ages five and one, two parents, and two grandparents, it was an “all hands on deck” experience.  After seven bathroom breaks and two food breaks, we arrived…

As a society, we often focus on what divides us—income inequality, educational disparities, and healthcare access, to name a few. However, recent research by economist, Melissa S. Kearney, sheds light on a significant factor that often goes overlooked: the “two-parent privilege.” Understanding this concept and its implications can help us create stronger, more supportive communities…

I made a mistake in my marriage last week.  My husband’s been having some challenging conversations at work lately. As he caught me up on the most recent happenings, I shared what I would have done differently. I know this is not what he needed at that moment. It also goes against what we typically…

Embracing 50/50 Custody is the Best for Children I am not an advocate for divorce on many occasions, but I do know there are some situations in which the ending of a relationship is better for everyone involved–and that’s okay. When one of my closest friends called me to tell me she was officially filing…

This is the last column I’ll write before welcoming our second child into the world. I plan on taking some much-needed time to care for her, our family, and myself over the next three months. During that time, you’ll hear from several First Things First team members who are passionate about families and helping individuals,…