Parenting Archives

Fetal Development & Childhood Isolation of Adopted Children

An isolated child in a crib at an orphanage

Do you have an adopted child? Are they developing in a way that seems out of the norm? The authors of The Connected Child say that adopted children often develop at different rates due to factors including toxin exposure while in the womb and childhood isolation in institutions. The authors recommend disregarding any pre-set notions and taking a holistic approach to adoptive parenting. Continue reading to learn more about the challenges adopted children face, and how to handle them.

The Importance of Parental Self-Care for Adoptive Parents

A woman relaxing in a bath, signifying the importance of parental self-care

Are you an adoptive or foster parent? Do you ever feel inadequate or frustrated? How does your mental health affect the child you’re caring for? In their book The Connected Child, the authors highlight the importance of parental self-care, especially when caring for at-risk children. It’s necessary for parents to confront their own wounds and prioritize their own mental health to be successful caregivers. Here’s why parental self-care is essential for adoptive parents.

How to Support the Physical & Mental Development of Children

A young boy playing soccer to boost his physical and mental development

How can you support your child’s physical and mental development? How can nutrition affect mental health? The book The Connected Child is aimed at helping adoptive parents navigate the struggles of parenthood. However, much of the advice in their book is helpful to anyone who’s raising a child who experienced a difficult past. Here’s how you can help support your child’s physical and mental growth.

The Connected Child: Book Overview & Key Takeaways

A happy child smiling in the arms of their parent, outside

Are you adopting or fostering a child? What are the unique challenges that come with adoptive parenting? Parenting is hard under normal circumstances, but the job becomes even more challenging when fostering or adopting a child. The book The Connected Child discusses many of those challenges and provides advice for overcoming them. Keep reading for a brief overview of The Connected Child.

The Childcare Crisis in the US Keeps Getting Worse

An empty classroom displays the childcare crisis in the US

How has the end of federal pandemic funding impacted the childcare industry and families? Why is the sector struggling financially? Can state efforts fix the funding gap? The September expiration of federal pandemic support has put the US childcare sector in a state of crisis and left families struggling with soaring childcare costs. Staffing shortages, low wages, rising costs, and unpredictable income streams have forced many childcare providers to raise tuition or close. Continue reading as we delve into the causes and effects of the childcare crisis in the US.

Legislation for Online Safety for Kids Faces Obstacles

A child sitting on her bedroom floor recording a video on her phone for social media

What’s the holdup over legislation to bolster child safety online? What concerns do tech giants have about potential legislation? Despite growing outrage over tech giants’ failure to address child exploitation on social media platforms, federal legislation to tackle the issue has stalled in the US Senate for years. The delay has been caused by tech lobbyists, competing legislative priorities, and the challenge of balancing parental concerns with children’s rights. Below we’ll dive into what the opponents and advocates of legislation for online safety for kids say.

Becoming First-Time Parents: How to Support Your Family

A woman becoming a first time parent as she holds her pregnant belly while lying down.

How can you make the process of becoming first-time parents easier? What does it take to support your marriage after the addition of a child? When becoming first-time parents, you should think about how you’re going to distribute household labor and how you can support both each other’s needs and the needs of a new child. Sometimes marriages decline when a new child is introduced due to a lack of investment in the marriage. Read on for advice on how to navigate becoming parents in a way that is healthy for your family.

Mel Robbins on House Cleaning Guilt and Expectations

A stressed woman sitting on the ground of a messy house.

What advice do Mel Robbins and KC David give to those who are overwhelmed with housework? What pressures does society put on women? In a recent episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast, Robbins and guest KC Davis discuss the guilt associated with incomplete housework. They also share tips for countering societal standards. Keep reading for Mel Robbins’ house cleaning tips.

How the Caregiver-Infant Interaction Teaches Coping Skills

What effect does the caregiver-infant interaction have on a child? What’s the role of the caregiver in supporting infant development? Caregiver-infant interaction is the primary way that an infant learns how to handle stress, and good interactions lay the foundation for healthy coping skills later on in life. Understanding how this works can make you a better caregiver. Discover how caregiver-infant interaction impacts an infant’s experience of stress and comfort.

The Consequences of Infant Neglect and Lack of Physical Affection

What are the consequences of infant neglect? How does a lack of physical affection impact development? Infant neglect, such as the deprivation of touch, prevents a baby from developing a healthy stress response system and can even stunt physical development. Understanding how this works gives you great insight into a baby’s needs. Learn from this case study about the importance of physical touch and care for infants.