Real Conversations

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Learning Parenthood

What Is the Value of an Education to a Stay at Home Mom?

by ParentCo.

Women are pursuing degrees in record numbers. But taking time off to raise a family once you're that deep in debt makes many have to choose between the two.

Parenthood

The Madness of Parenting Toddlers and Teens at the Same Time

by ParentCo.

Raising siblings with large age gaps between them, while full of joys, also has its own unique set of challenges.

father and son on top of a hill together enjoying the view

Parenthood

Storytelling: The Punk Rock of Parenting

by ParentCo.

Free, authentic, real parenting can be found in the punk rock of our time: storytelling. So get wild and tell your child a story.

Parenthood

Juniper, the Impossible Baby

by Brooke Wilson

The juniper plant is impossibly resilient, just like my impossible baby.

Parenthood

My Son Put a Sheep’s Eye in His Lunchbox

by Janene Dutt

Parenthood

Daddy’s the Best and You’re Not

by ParentCo.

Parenting can both inflate the ego and then, often seconds later, squash it like a blueberry underfoot.

Cute curly baby girl with big green lawn mower

Parenthood

10 Milestones That Aren’t on the Charts

by ParentCo.

Different accomplishments happen at different times for kids. Over the years, my children have taught me what growing up really looks like.

Parenthood

Five things dysfunctional parents teach their kids (by omission)

by ParentCo.

Being raised by neglectful parents has its upsides, I guess. I had to learn these things on my own and it made me who I am.

mother is kissing her daughter on the cheek, apple trees on the background

Parenthood

The Day My Kid-holding Arm Failed: A Lesson in Cradling

by ParentCo.

My left side, for about six years, has been busy holding – hearing, soothing, processing – a child.

Parenthood

You Don’t Need to Clean the Family Room Tonight – Promise!

by ParentCo.

You might not know this, but if you don’t clean up your family room tonight, guess what? Nothing will happen.

woman with fingers around eyes and shouting

Parenthood

5 Ways Acting Like a Dad Will Make You a Rock Star Mom

by ParentCo.

At some point in our parenting journey, I stopped bitching at my husband to be more like me as a parent and started learning from him instead.

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Parenthood

What You Need to Know About Giving Your Children Allowance

by ParentCo.

70 percent of kids get some kind of allowance nowadays. If you’re considering giving an allowance to your kids, here are some basic things to consider:

little girl covering her mouth with her hands

Parenthood

10 Ways to Raise Extraordinary Human Beings

by ParentCo.

Here are 10 things we can do to raise extraordinary human beings, who recognize their own strengths and know how to use them.

tensed little boy pushing his lower lip with finger

Parenthood

How Parents Can Challenge Their Children with Stretch Goals

by ParentCo.

I love challenging my kids to do better and be better. I do it all the time. I think part of me has developed it into a little mental game, a satisfying mom challenge.

woman travelling with a child. Mother and son watching rainbow

Parenthood

How to Raise an Open-Minded Child

by Stephen Bradshaw

Open-mindedness is hard, especially in this era of intense political polarization. But raising our kids to think that way benefits everyone.

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Parenthood

What Children Overhear Matters Now More Than Ever

by Mark Oliver

Things are happening in the world right now, and we can get so caught up in it that we may not notice how it’s affecting our children.

Two kids boys biking and waiting on traffic light

Parenthood

How to Build a Solid Framework For Raising a Responsible Kid

by Angela Pruess

Parents can take a positive, supportive approach by fostering these three major components of responsibility.

mother hugging her adult crying daughter on background of blooming trees

Parenthood

How to Strengthen A Child’s Character Through Empathy

by ParentCo.

Empathy rarely requires rules be changed, expectations be lowered, or concessions be made for a child.

Parenthood

That Time My Birth Plan Went Flying out the Window

by ParentCo.

Like many moms, I had a birth plan, but that plan went flying out the second story hospital window

Parenthood

How to Teach Your Kids About Civic Responsibility

by ParentCo.

Sometimes we need a shake up to wake up. How can we use this time to teach our children the importance of civic engagement?

Young Girls playing with hula hoop in summer field

Parenthood

How to Be A Kid With Your Kid (and Not Have to Steal Their Coloring Books)

by ParentCo.

Childhood is the coolest. That’s why we want ours back. But we also want to protect our kids’ childhood.

Parenthood

Liar Liar, Mom Jeans On Fire

by ParentCo.

Perhaps I should feel badly about lying to those I love so dearly, but the truth is, I don't feel badly at all. In fact, they get me through most days.