On the latest Modern Dads Podcast, we talk with psychotherapist Kent Hoffman about his new book, Raising a Secure Child, and the concept of the “Circle of Security” that helps parents be nurturing and protective while still encouraging children’s independence."Instead of perfect parenting, the (Raising a Secure Child) authors stress the need for present parenting. They believe being there for our children, mistakes and all, builds trust and frees our children to be who they really are in front of us. Security leads to confidence, which leads to self-reliance," wrote a book … [Read more...]
‘Happiest Mommy You Know’ Prey to Gender Role Stereotyping
The title intrigued me: The Happiest Mommy You Know.I live with one mom (my wife) and two possible future moms (my teenage daughters), so I read Genevieve Shaw Brown’s new book with them in mind. Brown’s mantra is that mothers should treat themselves as well as they instinctively treat their children.The Happiest Mommy You Know originated from a popular Good Morning America television segment about “The Baby Diet.” Brown explains that after preparing organic feasts for her young children, she would often eat fast food in yoga pants. But when she started eating the healthier foods (on … [Read more...]
Raising Children to be Bilingual in Baby (Sign) Steps
Like all first time expecting parents, I knew everything. Not as much as people who don’t have kids, they’re the true experts. But one thing I knew for sure was that my children would be bilingual.My wife and I are both sign language interpreters. Her parents are deaf. On top of that, we both have backgrounds in education and linguistics. We understood language acquisition. Our kids were going to learn American Sign Language (ASL). It was a no brainer.“Oh! You should look into baby signs!” people would say to us when they found out our backgrounds.This would be the cue for my wife … [Read more...]
Try These 5 Things to Become a Better Parent
Chances are you have taken classes to help make you a better parent. Or you have read books and taken advice from your own parents and people you trust. You might also scour Facebook and Twitter for blogs and articles that will help you have a clue about how to navigate parenthood without completely wrecking our kids.I have been a stay-at-home dad for almost 11 years now and there are some things that I have learned along the way that aren’t often mentioned in discussions of “How to be a great parent.” Here are five things that have not only helped saved my sanity as a parent, but have … [Read more...]
Hated 2016? How to Make a Better New Year
A father and daughter discuss how to get the 2016 demons out, so the new year. KICKS. ASS. ___ My daughter and I were talking about 2016 the other day."Oh my God. This year totally sucked. I HATE 2016," she said as we ate breakfast.I couldn't disagree. The year 2016 did suck in many ways. My family and I watched with sinking hearts as the political landscape was fractured with volcanic eruptions we never saw coming. The level of public discourse seemed to sink to subterranean levels. People in this country were actually arguing about whether black lives matter. News stories about … [Read more...]