Recent events (both near and far) have led me to question one small little word with a big bite: “hate.” My son’s school had to go into lockdown mode while we were having an outdoor celebration breakfast for his class. Nothing was going on at the school, but only a couple of blocks down the… The post How We Learn to Hate and How We Can Stop appeared first on First Things First.| First Things First
There’s a story I tell myself about my childhood. It goes something like this: I was a pretty easy kid. My parents loved each other. My siblings and I had some spats here and there, but nothing too out of the ordinary. We laughed a lot. There were Saturday morning cartoons, tons of playing together… The post Understanding the Stories We Tell Ourselves About Our Childhood appeared first on First Things First.| First Things First
According to a global team of researchers, people who meet their romantic partners online tend to be a little less satisfied in their relationships than people who meet the old-fashioned way, through friends, work, or a random meet-cute at the grocery store.| First Things First
The post How “Therapy Culture” has Increased Mom Guilt appeared first on First Things First.| First Things First
For parents worried about their kids' future, here are ways to help young adults reach milestones, on a timeline that fits real life.| First Things First
research confirms popularity isn’t the goal. It’s more beneficial to build relational depth with a few close people.| First Things First
My brother and I had a lengthy conversation this week about mental health. We both work in what I’ll call “high-impact” jobs, though they seem worlds apart. Some days, coping and processing the stress can feel like mental gymnastics, flipping and stretching the capacities of our mental health. According to a 2016 meta-analysis on mental… The post The Low Down on Mental Health, Stress and Family Genetics appeared first on First Things First.| First Things First
A few days ago, my six-year-old came home from a playdate with shoulders sagging and tears in his eyes. “Nobody wanted to play with me today,” he said. In that moment, I was catapulted back to my own grown-up version of the same sting, learning about a meeting I wasn’t invited to. Brains of every age… The post The Quiet Sting of Feeling Left Out (& How to Deal With It) appeared first on First Things First.| First Things First
If you listen closely, you can already hear it—the zip of fresh backpacks, the crinkle of notebook wrappers, and the collective gasp of parents realizing the days of “popsicles for lunch” are numbered. Whether your child is brand‑new to kindergarten or a seasoned locker‑door slammer, a little prep now will save everyone tears. Here are… The post 7 Stress‑Saving Steps for a Smooth Back‑to‑School Launch appeared first on First Things First.| First Things First
As a mom of two—I get it. Screens are everywhere. They’re helpful, entertaining, and sometimes, let’s be honest, the only reason we get to finish our coffee while it’s still warm. But as both a parent and the CEO of a nonprofit that helps strengthen families, I can’t stop talking about the effects screens have… The post How Screen Use Can Shape Children’s Brains (and What to Watch For) appeared first on First Things First.| First Things First
When is the right time to talk to kids about tragedies and how do we respond when they find out before we’ve had a chance to prepare them?| First Things First
Teaching philosophy to kids helps them think more clearly, speak more confidently, and better understand the world around them.| First Things First