4 Great YouTube Channels For Struggling Parents

It’s typical to feel lost at times as a parent. The fact of the matter is that you’re not going to have every answer, and you’re not going to know how to approach every situation. One of the best resources available to parents today is the internet, with YouTube in particular being extremely handy. There are loads of videos on the platform created by real parents, for real parents, meaning they’re full of advice, they’re relatable, and many are highly entertaining. Here are a few of the best Youtube channels on parenting.

High Energy Parenting

The High Energy Parenting channel aims to help parents live a life that’s full of passion, energy, and love. It has plenty of videos that are focused on living a healthy life, as well as plenty of parenting advice. There are also various techniques that can help parents release their worries, talk to their kids about doing the things that they need to do, and increase their willpower. If you’re feeling exhausted and want to start feeling like yourself again after having a baby, then High Energy Parenting can help.

Hand in Hand Parenting

For over 25 years, Hand and Hand Parenting has been providing parents with the necessary resources to connect with their kids. They’ve now launched a YouTube channel to help parents navigate through the various challenges that parenthood can throw at them. Their weekly videos are designed to help moms connect with their kids and you can also find videos about everything from parenting anxiety to helping kids overcome their fears. In addition to these, the channel also has a variety of other content that’s designed to help parents navigate through various other issues.

The Parenting Channel

If you’re a creative mom who wants to be a better parent, then The Parenting Channel is the account for you. It’s the creation of T.V. host and twelve-time Emmy-award winner, Vida Urbonas, and it has tons of great videos that will keep you entertained. In addition to these, it also has tons of tips and tricks for early childhood parenting.

Smart Parenting

Smart Parenting started as a magazine and has since become a popular YouTube channel dedicated to helping parents raise healthy and happy kids. They put out new videos every week, and have a ton of videos on their channel already, meaning it’ll take a bit for you to run out. You’ll find fun food and craft ideas to do with the kids, educational videos that can teach you proper procedures when raising a baby, and so much more. If you need help with something, Smart Parenting likely has a video for you.

This article was originally published on BryanDunst.com

The Best Apps For New Parents

Becoming a parent is tough, but modern technology has simplified things a little bit compared to the generations that came before us. One of the most useful innovations is the hundreds of applications we can download on our phones in a matter of seconds. Countless apps exist that can help parents out, whether it’s with tracking things, keeping the kids busy, or a slew of other options. With so many apps out there though, you probably want to know which ones are actually worth your time. Well, look no further. These are some of the best apps that parents can make use of in 2022.

Tinybeans: Family Photo Album

A startup company known as Tinybeans was created by parents with young kids to create a private social network for sharing photos and other personal moments with their friends and family. The app, which is a modern baby book, is very useful for parents as it allows them to keep track of their child’s activities and milestones without having to give away their ownership of the photos.

Moshi Twilight

This app, which is known as Moshi Twilight, is a bedtime story app that helps kids fall asleep easily. It features calming audio stories and a variety of guided relaxations. This is a great app for parents who are looking to help their kids get a good night’s sleep.

Basket

Now that you have a baby, it’s important that you know where to find the best deal on food and diapers. With the help of an app known as Basket, you can easily find the lowest prices on both in-store and online stores. This app will allow you to compare the prices of different products from different stores within your area in order to help you save as much money as possible.

PlayItSafe: MommyMeds

Getting the right medication for your and your baby is very important, and with the help of an app known as MommyMeds, you can easily find which medications are safe or unsafe for soon-to-be or new mothers. This app will allow you to search through thousands of prescription and over-the-counter medications and find the best safety and efficacy recommendations, just by scanning the barcode with your phone!

Eat Sleep: Simple Baby Tracking

The newborn stage is all about sleeping and eating, and with the help of an app known as Eat Sleep, you can keep track of all of this in one place. It will allow you to monitor your baby’s sleep and wake up at the right time. You can also keep track of the time that your child has been eating and drinking, as well as the dirty diapers that they’re wearing.

This article was originally published on BryanDunst.com

TED Talks Every Parent Should Check Out In 2022

We can find a lot of different resources for being a parent in today’s world. Books are one of the first things we might think of, and with the power of the internet, we can find plenty of websites and podcasts as well. One of my favorite resources is TED Talks. TED Talks often serve as sources of inspiration, and as a parent, they tend to do a great job of reminding you that you’re not alone in this whole being a parent thing. Parenting isn’t easy for anyone, and we all stumble from time to time. Check out some of these great TED Talks on parenting the next time you’re looking for a self-esteem boost.

Every Kid Needs A Champion – Rita Pierson

One of my favorite TED talks is about the importance of connecting with your kids’ teachers. According to Pierson, kids don’t learn from people they don’t like. The role of teachers in our kids’ lives is so powerful, and many parents know just how amazing they are. However, they’re still learning about the impact they have on their kids. Having a teacher who values our kids and doesn’t just push them to the side can have a life-changing effect. Even decades after they were taught, many people still remember their favorite teacher. This is the reason why every kid needs a champion.

What Adults Can Learn From Kids – Adora Svitak

I absolutely love this talk, especially because it’s being delivered by a 12-year-old. Adora believes learning should be a two ways street, with adults learning from kids and kids learning from adults. She also talks about how kids don’t see obstacles like adults do, which makes them more capable of navigating through them. This talk is a great reminder to us that we can’t do everything that our kids want to do. It also encourages us to connect with our inner child and ask ourselves what we would see differently if we were looking at situations through their eyes.

Exploding 4 Taboos Of Parenting – Rufus Griscom and Alisa Volkman

Every parent will relate to this, as Alisa and Rufus created the website Babble to share their own parenting experiences. Their talk is uplifting and funny, and it opened my eyes to how many parents are feeling the same way. It reminded me that there is a community out there for parents, even though we sometimes feel like we are alone. Sometimes all we need to do is look for resources that can help us navigate through the various challenges that parenting can throw at us.

This article was originally published on BryanDunst.com

The Best Books To Read On Parenting In 2022

Whether you’re having your first child or you’re on your third, parenting can be tough. It’s a constant learning experience, and sometimes you might feel lost, or like you should give up. A great way to learn more about being a better parent is to read a few great parenting books. Countless parenting books have been written over the years meant to share thoughtful advice in order to help parents be better for their kids but to also help them understand that they’re not alone in this endeavor. Here are a few great parenting books worth checking out this year.

The Gift of Failure – Jessica Lahey

Today, parenting is often defined by being overprotective and attentive. Some people refer to it as helicopter parenting, and others as snowplow parenting. In her new book, Jessica Lahey argues that this is not the way we should be parenting. Instead, it’s important that we don’t always get it right, and instead learn from our failures.

Conscious Parent: Transforming Ourselves, Empowering Our Children – Shefali Tsabary, Ph.D.

In her new book, Shefali Tsabary, a clinical psychologist, explains how parents pass on their own emotional and mental traits to their kids. This book aims to help parents identify their own barriers so they can help their kids grow.

Unequal Childhoods – Annette Lareau

Understanding intersectional parenting is very important to anyone who wants to be a better parent. In her book, Annette Lareau explores the ways that race and class affect our children’s upbringings. If you’re able to get the second edition, you’ll see how the author revisits the families she wrote about originally over a decade later.

How To Raise an Adult – Julie Lythcott-Haims

One of the most important things that you can do to guide your child through life is to over-parent. In her new book, Julie Lythcott-Haims talks about the concept of helicopter parenting, and she debunks the harmful effects of this type of parenting. This book is very relevant to parents who are raising kids of any age. However, it’s also very helpful for parents who have teens.

How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character – Paul Tough

Despite the importance of kids’ math and science skills, it’s also important that they develop other skills such as character and curiosity. In his new book, Paul Tough argues that the qualities that matter most in life are those that are related to character and skills such as perseverance, self-control, and optimism. This book has been very successful in the category of problem solving and decision-making.

This article was originally published on BryanDunst.com

The Best Podcasts For Parents in 2022

Raising a family is hard work. Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent or are working full time, you’ll be hard-pressed to find downtime to relax, and you’re probably going to make mistakes. A great way to spend some of your parenting time and learn more about raising a family is to check out some podcasts that are centered on family. These podcasts range from educational, teaching you how to approach certain situations you may run into with your family, to straight-up entertaining, with hosts sharing their funny and unique stories about their own families. Read on to learn about some of the best family-oriented podcasts worth listening to.

That New Mom Life

That New Mom Life is a 12-part podcast that aims to help new moms navigate the first few months of parenthood. It’s hosted by Grace Bastidas and Desiree Fortin, who are the editor of Parents Latina and an Instagrammer mom of triplets, respectively.

The hosts talk with experts about various topics, including sleep deprivation, parenting, and emotional ups and downs. You can listen to the show on various platforms, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeart Radio.

We Are Family

The show was created by the people at Parents, who are known for celebrating diverse families. Co-hosts Shaun T, who is the creator of the Insanity workout and the father of twins, as well as Julia Dennison, a single mom and the executive editor of Parents.com, talk about various topics related to parenting such as being an LGBTQ parent, adopting your children, and so much more.

Mom and Dad Are Fighting

This weekly podcast from the online magazine Slate provides advice and resources for parents of kids, teens, and toddlers. It’s hosted by Dan Kois, who is a writer and editor for the magazine, as well as other experts such as Elizabeth Newcamp, a mother of three boys who blogs about parenting at Dutch, Dutch, Goose.

The hosts openly discuss their experiences as parents. They can be found on various platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Slate.com.

The Mom Hour

The Mom Hour is a weekly parenting show that features the stories of mothers everywhere. It’s hosted by Sarah Powers and Meagan Francis, who have eight kids between the two of them. They talk about various parenting-related topics, such as sleep deprivation, puberty, mom-shaming and so much more. You can check the show out for free at various places, such as Spotify, Stitcher and so much more.

This article was originally published on BryanDunst.com

Tips For Raising A Child With ADHD

While ADHD is believed to be inherited, effective management of the disorder can help prevent it from worsening and developing into more serious problems. Early intervention is also important to help prevent kids from falling behind in school and dealing with social issues.

As a parent, it’s important to create a positive environment for your child to thrive. This can help prevent them from experiencing the challenges that they might face throughout life. This might seem difficult at times, but it’s absolutely possible and integral to helping your child learn to live with ADHD. In this article, we’ll talk about how you can support your child if they struggle with ADHD.

Rules Matter, But Be Flexible

It’s important to teach your child to behave properly, but it’s also important to avoid being too strict. Children with ADHD don’t always handle change well, so we need to be patient with them because they’ll more than likely make mistakes as they learn. Also, try to accept odd behaviors as part of their child’s personality, as this will help them develop a positive image of themselves.

Structure Is Important

Set a routine for your child every day. Simple tasks such as having your child lay out their clothes each night before bed, or getting ready for bed at a specific time each day, can help your child manage their ADHD quite a bit and help them avoid becoming overwhelmed by the many tasks they’ll have to perform throughout their daily lives.

Seek Counseling

You can’t do everything, but you can help your child with their ADHD by providing them with the encouragement and support they need. However, they also need professional help. A therapist can help manage their stress and anxiety, and local support groups can be helpful for parents. There’s no shame in seeking professional help because when it comes down to it, you’re not going to have every answer.

Take A Break

While it’s important to be supportive of your child, it’s also normal to get overwhelmed and frustrated. Having a schedule that includes breaks for yourself is also important to help manage the stress and anxiety that comes with ADHD. There’s nothing wrong with taking a moment for yourself, as being a parent is difficult no matter what.

This article was originally published on BryanDunst.com

How Do Children Learn Through Play?

Children learn through play. Play is one of how children acquire knowledge and skills. They use their five senses to explore surroundings, experiment with new things, venture into social situations and interact with each other and their environment. So what are some of the different ways children learn through play? Take a look at this article for more information on this topic!

How do Children Learn through Play?

The first stage of learning is simply exploration, where children investigate their environment, play with objects to familiarize themselves with a new setting or situation, and generally figure out what is going on around them. Later on, this exploration can evolve to allow the child to act out a role or develop their personality. This stage can be observed in babies and toddlers, who are usually fully engaged in play and exploration.

Children also explore and develop their skills through playing with toys, which allows them to practice using different tools, like drawing and painting. They may also experiment with different ways of moving objects around using certain tools such as blocks or blocks for stacking up on top of each other.

Children can also learn through play by gathering information from others, playing with them, and talking about what they observed. They can also discover how others solve similar problems or perceive different situations. For example, a child may notice that their father moves an object around is different from how they do it.

Play in the developing brain

One of the most essential and fundamental stages of learning during childhood is the ability to imitate, which allows children to learn through play. This process starts in the very early years of life and continues throughout a child’s development.

Young children learn to imitate others by being exposed to role models by their parents or other caregivers. To successfully imitate, children have to see what is going on in front of them and practice until they get the hang of it. As they progress in their imitation attempts, the ability to copy someone else’s action becomes more complex.

This is a critical stage in a child’s development, as it allows them to adopt new behaviors, skills, and even language successfully. The brain has to register what has been seen and imitate it through play. Correctly replicating an action is essential for further development, as this may become the basis for other actions or skills learned later on.

This article was originally published on BryanDunst.com

How To Talk To Your Teenager About The War in Ukraine

With so much going on in the world, it can be very difficult to protect your child from the knowledge that might worry or confuse them. A prime example of this is the war between Russia and Ukraine. This is a massive event globally and is worrisome even to adults. As a result, it can be in your interest to talk to your child about this topic before they hear from some other source.

Ask your child how they feel about it. Allow them to express what they feel. If they are afraid or don’t know how to express themselves, consider telling them how you feel. Be sure that you do not give too much gruesome detail, especially when talking with younger or more sensitive children.

Stick to a normal routine before and after you start this discussion. A routine can help a child feel more stable and comfortable, especially with a situation or topic that feels unfamiliar to them.

When it comes to topics like this it can be very tough to keep a positive mindset, especially for children. Assure your child that countless people and organizations are trying their best to help resume peace in Ukraine, and how you as a family can support the numerous people who have been affected both in and out of the country. Show them they can help. They can write letters, or you can prepare a care package together for soldiers or civilians.

Try not to sugar coat too much, and be prepared for very difficult questions. Your child might ask why this is happening or who is responsible. It is important to prepare for these questions so they do not catch you off guard.

Whether your child has questions or not, they will have concerns that they will worry about. Do what you can to make them feel better. One way to do this is by mildly limiting their exposure. Allow them to research the events taking place, but perhaps do not allow them to look at photos or watch videos about what is going on. Keep exposure supervised as much as possible.

Most importantly, make them feel safe. In the end, the best you can do is let them know what is going on, how you feel about it, encourage them to say how they feel, and comfort them.

This article was originally published on BryanDunst.com

Tips for Parenting a Child With ODD

When it comes to parenting a child with ODD, it is essential to be patient and understanding. Remember, this is not your typical child and will not respond to parenting in the same way as other children.

What is ODD?

ODD is a disorder that affects how a child behaves, interacts with others, and thinks. ODD children are often defiant, argumentative, and disobedient. They may also have trouble following rules and completing tasks.

Here are a few tips for helping to parent a child with ODD effectively:

Be consistent

One of the most important things you can do as a parent is consistent with your rules and expectations. It will help your child know what is expected of them, and it will also help establish a routine for them.

Keep your cool

It can be challenging to stay calm when your child is acting out, but it is crucial. Yelling or spanking will only make the situation worse. Instead, try to remain calm and rational, even if it is difficult.

Be positive

When dealing with a child with ODD, it is vital to be positive. Praise your child when they behave well and offer encouragement when trying to follow the rules. It will help build their self-esteem and make them more likely to comply with your requests.

Set boundaries

It is crucial to set boundaries for your child with ODD. It will help keep them safe and teach them how to behave appropriately. Be sure to explain the rules clearly and enforce them consistently.

Find a support system

It can be helpful to have a support system when parenting a child with ODD. It could include family members, friends, or professionals such as therapists or counselors. These people can offer advice and support when you need it.

Take a break

If you are feeling overwhelmed, it is ok to take a break. Step away from the situation for a little while and allow yourself to calm down. Then, you can approach the problem with a fresh perspective. It will help your child see that you are in control and willing to work through the challenges they present.

Parenting a child with ODD can be challenging, but it is possible. With patience and persistence, you can help your child learn how to behave appropriately and live a happy, healthy life.

This article was originally published on BryanDunst.com

How to Nurture your Gifted Child

Giftedness in children is usually designated when intelligence tests indicate that a child is rating above 140 in I.Q. These children generally show high levels of curiosity about the world and how it works, may always be asking questions, and may spend a great deal of time reading and investigating various subjects that interest them. They may be far ahead in subjects at school, which offers challenges for their teachers trying to keep them interested and engaged. Here are a few ways parents can nurture their gifted children, to help them make the most of their gifts.

Offer Enrichment in Many Areas

Parents can help gifted children make the most of their heightened talents by providing an enriched environment at home, with books, movies, art, creative work, puzzles, sports equipment, and other items that will help them to develop skills on many levels. In addition, trips to museums, the theater, local parks, preserves, and nature centers will provide mental stimulation to offer new ideas and concepts to ponder.

Letting Kids Be Kids

Even gifted children need time to just be kids. Spending time on the playground, playing games with other kids, watching TV, and doing creative projects allow children to exercise their bodies, relax their minds and simply learn about the world and how people live. These are important lessons for development as a well-rounded human being. It may seem like “doing nothing,” but it helps kids to learn about themselves and others in a less formalized way.

Be Present For Your Gifted Child

Listening is even more important for parents of gifted children because these kids often process a great deal of information that they need to bounce off a more experienced mind. Even if your child sometimes seems to know more than you do, it’s important to be engaged to offer your perspective, encourage their efforts, listen to their opinions and offer whatever answers you can provide.

Fostering Friendships and Social Engagement

Because gifted children often spend a great deal of time investigating the subjects that interest them and doing their own projects, they sometimes spend less time with peers learning the rules and etiquette of social interaction. Parents can help by fostering friendships with peers, chauffeuring to events, sponsoring sleepovers, and helping out with group activities.

Having a gifted child offers many joys and challenges. Understanding the unique needs of these children can help parents to provide the right environment for taking advantage of their special gifts and helping them to develop into healthy, well-adjusted adults.

This article was originally published on BryanDunst.com