Raising Children with Love

 Abortion has been a hot button topic over the past several years. There has been talk about the right to one's body and the right to life. There has been talk about when life begins or if a handful cells has the same value as a fully developed human. Does life start at conception? Does it start with a heartbeat? With a first breath? Or perhaps it's not that simple. Perhaps it's not a matter of when life starts but when life becomes valuable enough to consider human. At what point is a fetus worth the same as an infant? At what point is an embryo more than just a few cells? The argument grows complex and difficult rather quickly. I do not have a perfect answer to these questions, but I do believe in the value of life--and that is what I want to focus on today. Life is difficult. But there is beauty to it too. I recall the first time I heard the song "7 Years Old" by Lukas Graham. I was in elementary school, riding the bus home from school when it came on the radio...

Most families will inevitably experience some form of hardship at some point in time. This could be an illness, death, or temporary separation of the family. This article will mainly focus on grief, though many of these principles can be applied to other situations. Differences by age Children can experience grief from a young age, though their experience with it will likely vary a little based on age on their mental and emotional development. For instance, toddlers may show signs of grief through separation anxiety or changes in sleeping or bathroom schedules; young children may become more aggressive during play or experience nightmares; teens may self-isolate and withdraw (Lovering, 2022) . It's also important to recognize that they may experience strong feelings of grief over things that may not seem as significant to adults, such as the loss of a pet or a friend moving away. Breaking the news There is no perfect time or place to reveal that something has happened or is going t...

 When to call it quits When marriages go south, it can be hard to know whether or not your relationship can or even should be salvaged. Maybe your partner cheated on you and you're wondering whether you should forgive them. Or maybe the relationship has turned toxic and you have concerns about neglect or abuse. Regardless of your exact situation, this video by a licensed therapist may offer you some guidance on when to call it quits: Saving a marriage Abuse, abandonment, and adultery are all historical reasons to sue for divorce. Now, no-fault divorce laws don't require proof of these things to file. One partner can legally choose to leave the marriage at will. This means that many marriages are now ending that potentially could've worked out. If your marriage is struggling--or even if it's doing okay--you may consider seeking professional guidance to work through things on an individual, spousal, or even family level. Considerations for children One of the main concern...

 Many types of abuse and neglect exist in families, from children to the elderly. Today we are going to focus on abuse in relationships between partners. The reality is that, while strangers can be dangerous, most trauma and abuse are caused by those we know and often trust--sometimes including a spouse or partner. Types of Abuse The National Domestic Violence Hotline outlines several forms of abuse including physical, emotional, sexual, financial, or digital abuse as well as sexual or reproductive coercion. Many of us are familiar with physical abuse, which is the use of violence or threats, as well as emotional abuse, which includes isolating or intimidation. However, financial and digital abuse are often less talked about. These forms include using or controlling money, including access to money, or technology to bully, harass, or otherwise attempt to control another person. Similarly, sexual abuse is the use of physical intimacy to gain power or control over another person or ...

  "None of us were going to be men; we were fleeing from the uncomfortable feeling of becoming women." -Chloe Cole  A transitioned child is better than a dead child. This is something a number of parents have been told after learning their child struggles with gender dysphoria. They are told their options are gender-affirming care or suicide. This was the case with Chloe's parents. Chloe went through the process of transitioning from female to male from ages 13 to 16. She later chose to detransition, now reflecting on her experience with hormones and surgery by saying,  "I was unknowingly physically cutting off my true self from my body irreversibly and painfully." Chloe now openly advocates against gender-affirming care. Watch the following video to hear her speak and learn more about her story: Chloe was just one child, but her journey represents a much larger issue: gender dysphoria. This issue impacts individuals, families, and society as a whole. Worst of ...

 Your child is an individual. They are unique, and it's important to know how to adapt to their needs. How Well Do You Know Your Child? How well do you know your child? Watch some fathers try to answer some questions below. Your child has their own life with their own interests and dreams. One day they are going to be out in the world, hopefully contributing something to society. Help them foster the confidence and build the knowledge they'll need. Get To Know Your Child Spending time with your child is one of the best to get to know them. You can learn a lot through observation, but some things you may not know without asking. This can be easier with younger children who will likely be excited to spend time with you. Something as simple as a picnic at the park will likely be a great experience for both of you. As usual, teenagers may be a different story. Some teenagers won't protest the idea of spending time with their parents. In fact, many teenagers wish they had a bett...