Category: Parenting 103

Posted on

Real Moments That Every Parent Can Relate To

Every kid is different, every family is unique, and parenting styles vary, but listen – there’s still much about the day-to-day life of parenting that looks similar for everyone.

Which is why all of the parents everywhere can relate to memes and moments like these 12 – just take a look and you’ll see what I mean!

12. And you can’t even get mad at her because you know she’s right.

It’s okay. Someday it will be your turn, Dad.

Image Credit: Imgur

11. He really left her no option.

The delivery room is no place for puns, let me tell you.

Image Credit: Imgur

10. No contest in our house.

My husband walks like he was a Harry Potter troll in another life.

Image Credit: Imgur

9. Do you think they did it on purpose?

Like the way I “accidentally” mowed the lawn crooked as a teenager so my dad would never ask me to do it again?

Image Credit: Imgur

8. No one explains the cost breakdown ahead of time.

Though we should have anticipated the alcohol.

Image Credit: Imgur

7. I have yet to have this experience.

Maybe homeschooling is the answer.

Image Credit: Imgur

6. Ahhhh what a moment to look back on all these years later.

Dads keep the laughs going after decades, my friends.

Image Credit: Imgur

5. And it starts early, too.

They don’t have eyes in the backs of their heads, thank goodness.

Image Credit: Imgur

4. There is no part of this meme that doesn’t hurt.

Because it’s just all so true, and so ridiculous.

Image Credit: Imgur

3. Hahahaha you’d better not screw up.

You’re so tempted to screw up, though, aren’t you?

Image Credit: Imgur

2. I think it comes more naturally for some than others.

But it always comes, my friend, don’t worry.

Image Credit: Imgur

1. Exhibit 7234 why dads are the best.

They really don’t get enough credit for their jokes if you ask me.

Image Credit: Imgur

I feel so seen, y’all!

But right now I’m going to sit back and scroll some more memes while I’ve got babysitters. Huzzah!

The post Real Moments That Every Parent Can Relate To appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

Real Moments That Every Parent Can Relate To

Every kid is different, every family is unique, and parenting styles vary, but listen – there’s still much about the day-to-day life of parenting that looks similar for everyone.

Which is why all of the parents everywhere can relate to memes and moments like these 12 – just take a look and you’ll see what I mean!

12. And you can’t even get mad at her because you know she’s right.

It’s okay. Someday it will be your turn, Dad.

Image Credit: Imgur

11. He really left her no option.

The delivery room is no place for puns, let me tell you.

Image Credit: Imgur

10. No contest in our house.

My husband walks like he was a Harry Potter troll in another life.

Image Credit: Imgur

9. Do you think they did it on purpose?

Like the way I “accidentally” mowed the lawn crooked as a teenager so my dad would never ask me to do it again?

Image Credit: Imgur

8. No one explains the cost breakdown ahead of time.

Though we should have anticipated the alcohol.

Image Credit: Imgur

7. I have yet to have this experience.

Maybe homeschooling is the answer.

Image Credit: Imgur

6. Ahhhh what a moment to look back on all these years later.

Dads keep the laughs going after decades, my friends.

Image Credit: Imgur

5. And it starts early, too.

They don’t have eyes in the backs of their heads, thank goodness.

Image Credit: Imgur

4. There is no part of this meme that doesn’t hurt.

Because it’s just all so true, and so ridiculous.

Image Credit: Imgur

3. Hahahaha you’d better not screw up.

You’re so tempted to screw up, though, aren’t you?

Image Credit: Imgur

2. I think it comes more naturally for some than others.

But it always comes, my friend, don’t worry.

Image Credit: Imgur

1. Exhibit 7234 why dads are the best.

They really don’t get enough credit for their jokes if you ask me.

Image Credit: Imgur

I feel so seen, y’all!

But right now I’m going to sit back and scroll some more memes while I’ve got babysitters. Huzzah!

The post Real Moments That Every Parent Can Relate To appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

If You’re a Parent, These Memes Will Make You Feel So Seen

There are a lot of positives about being a parent in the age of the internet, which is good…because there are also more than a few downsides.

One of the very best things is how easily we can connect with other parents now, which not only helps us ask for advice and lean on stronger shoulders when we need them, but just makes us feel less alone.

And these 11 memes and moments are so universal that you’ll know for sure that someone else has already lived through the crazy moment you’re experience right now!

11. Who says dads aren’t involved parents?

I know, I know, it’s all for the picture.

Image Credit: Imgur

10. This is one of the most accurate descriptions of parenthood I have ever seen.

Also, about that mousepad…

Image Credit: Imgur

9. This is wayyyy too real these days.

Sure I could  have a clean house, but…

Image Credit: Imgur

8. It’s the circle of life.

And no, it’s not as beautiful as Disney would have you believe.

Image Credit: Imgur

7. The you in the game definitely doesn’t have kids.

Or a job or anything else to give you anxiety at night.

Image Credit: Imgur

6. What a beautiful story.

I knew it had to have an ending like that.

Image Credit: Imgur

5. It’s a classic playlist.

Toddlers have been perfecting their brand of terrorism for a long time.

Image Credit: Imgur

4. Things would go more smoothly if they would realize early on where they got their psycho from.

And we have more practice wielding it for results.

Image Credit: Imgur

3. Or vice versa, but yeah.

Having it all is one big fat joke.

Image Credit: Imgur

2. Embarrassing your teens is what parenting is all about.

You have to live through those years somehow.

Imag Credit: Imgur

1. This is one instance where the good old days are not exaggerated.

I know the day will come again when they will eat what I cook…*dreams*

Image Credit: Imgur

I am laughing so hard about how weird kids and parents and families are!

In the best possible way, of course.

Tell us which one was your favorite in the comments!

The post If You’re a Parent, These Memes Will Make You Feel So Seen appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

If You’re a Parent, These Memes Will Make You Feel So Seen

There are a lot of positives about being a parent in the age of the internet, which is good…because there are also more than a few downsides.

One of the very best things is how easily we can connect with other parents now, which not only helps us ask for advice and lean on stronger shoulders when we need them, but just makes us feel less alone.

And these 11 memes and moments are so universal that you’ll know for sure that someone else has already lived through the crazy moment you’re experience right now!

11. Who says dads aren’t involved parents?

I know, I know, it’s all for the picture.

Image Credit: Imgur

10. This is one of the most accurate descriptions of parenthood I have ever seen.

Also, about that mousepad…

Image Credit: Imgur

9. This is wayyyy too real these days.

Sure I could  have a clean house, but…

Image Credit: Imgur

8. It’s the circle of life.

And no, it’s not as beautiful as Disney would have you believe.

Image Credit: Imgur

7. The you in the game definitely doesn’t have kids.

Or a job or anything else to give you anxiety at night.

Image Credit: Imgur

6. What a beautiful story.

I knew it had to have an ending like that.

Image Credit: Imgur

5. It’s a classic playlist.

Toddlers have been perfecting their brand of terrorism for a long time.

Image Credit: Imgur

4. Things would go more smoothly if they would realize early on where they got their psycho from.

And we have more practice wielding it for results.

Image Credit: Imgur

3. Or vice versa, but yeah.

Having it all is one big fat joke.

Image Credit: Imgur

2. Embarrassing your teens is what parenting is all about.

You have to live through those years somehow.

Imag Credit: Imgur

1. This is one instance where the good old days are not exaggerated.

I know the day will come again when they will eat what I cook…*dreams*

Image Credit: Imgur

I am laughing so hard about how weird kids and parents and families are!

In the best possible way, of course.

Tell us which one was your favorite in the comments!

The post If You’re a Parent, These Memes Will Make You Feel So Seen appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

Here’s How to Talk to Your Kids About Their Feelings During Times of Great Stress

We’re going through something that most of us have never experienced in our lifetimes, and may never again. The inability to go about our daily lives as we once did, to see family and friends, to pull out our coping mechanisms in response to stress the way we normally would – it’s all taking a toll.

If your kids are a bit older, there’s a good chance that they’re able to express what they’re feeling, how they’re coping, and to ask for help if they need it.

Image Credit: Pexels

If your kids are younger, don’t make the mistake of thinking that everything is fine because they don’t understand everything that’s happening and why, or because they lack the emotional and actual language to communicate it to you.

When times are stressful, here are a few questions that can help our younger kids be able to express their feelings.

  • What did you learn about today?
  • What is something interesting of funny you heard about today?
  • What was the most fun thing you did today?
  • What are you most looking forward to tomorrow?
  • What was the toughest part of your day today?
  • What was something you didn’t like about your day?
  • What got in the way today of you having a fun day?
  • What can we do together to make it better?
  • I read something interesting today and wanted to know if you had a reaction to it?

While these are great questions, child psychologist Jerry Bubrick says that timing is everything when it comes to bringing them up – and no, bedtime isn’t best.

“Bedtime is not the right time. Kids are starting to wind down for the day. Anxious kids have more worries at night.

Don’t lead them down the path of more worry. And don’t talk to them about this when they first wake up.

Find a time, a neutral time, when there hasn’t been a big argument. Look for a calm moment.”

Maybe supper time, he says, or while taking a family walk.

Image Credit: Pexels

If you’re knew to prodding your kids feelings, he suggests a game that he and his family play as a sort-of icebreaker.

“With my kids, I suggest a game:

Like a rose. …You start and model the game.

There are three components to the rose.

The petal: Tell me something you liked about today.

The thorn: Tell me something you didn’t like.

The bud: Tell me something you’re looking forward to in the future.”

If your kids are under five (or over but still have trouble articulating feelings) a visual chart can be helpful.

After all, “if you can name it, you can tame it.”

It’s important to model an appropriate response for your kids whenever possible, which means taking time to calm yourself down if you need to, and remind yourself that this will be over one day.

Image Credit: Pexels

“We want to help kids stay in the moment. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the unknown.

All we know is what’s happening to us right now. We have each other. We’re connected to our friends.

Let’s focus on that. We’ll deal with tomorrow, tomorrow.”

An important reminder for everyone in these trying times, no matter our age.

Even if Scarlet O’Hara was a terrible person in a movie that perpetuates horribly inaccurate stereotypes of slavery and the American South, Vivian Leigh did get one thing right – tomorrow is another day.

The post Here’s How to Talk to Your Kids About Their Feelings During Times of Great Stress appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

Here’s How to Talk to Your Kids About Their Feelings During Times of Great Stress

We’re going through something that most of us have never experienced in our lifetimes, and may never again. The inability to go about our daily lives as we once did, to see family and friends, to pull out our coping mechanisms in response to stress the way we normally would – it’s all taking a toll.

If your kids are a bit older, there’s a good chance that they’re able to express what they’re feeling, how they’re coping, and to ask for help if they need it.

Image Credit: Pexels

If your kids are younger, don’t make the mistake of thinking that everything is fine because they don’t understand everything that’s happening and why, or because they lack the emotional and actual language to communicate it to you.

When times are stressful, here are a few questions that can help our younger kids be able to express their feelings.

  • What did you learn about today?
  • What is something interesting of funny you heard about today?
  • What was the most fun thing you did today?
  • What are you most looking forward to tomorrow?
  • What was the toughest part of your day today?
  • What was something you didn’t like about your day?
  • What got in the way today of you having a fun day?
  • What can we do together to make it better?
  • I read something interesting today and wanted to know if you had a reaction to it?

While these are great questions, child psychologist Jerry Bubrick says that timing is everything when it comes to bringing them up – and no, bedtime isn’t best.

“Bedtime is not the right time. Kids are starting to wind down for the day. Anxious kids have more worries at night.

Don’t lead them down the path of more worry. And don’t talk to them about this when they first wake up.

Find a time, a neutral time, when there hasn’t been a big argument. Look for a calm moment.”

Maybe supper time, he says, or while taking a family walk.

Image Credit: Pexels

If you’re knew to prodding your kids feelings, he suggests a game that he and his family play as a sort-of icebreaker.

“With my kids, I suggest a game:

Like a rose. …You start and model the game.

There are three components to the rose.

The petal: Tell me something you liked about today.

The thorn: Tell me something you didn’t like.

The bud: Tell me something you’re looking forward to in the future.”

If your kids are under five (or over but still have trouble articulating feelings) a visual chart can be helpful.

After all, “if you can name it, you can tame it.”

It’s important to model an appropriate response for your kids whenever possible, which means taking time to calm yourself down if you need to, and remind yourself that this will be over one day.

Image Credit: Pexels

“We want to help kids stay in the moment. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the unknown.

All we know is what’s happening to us right now. We have each other. We’re connected to our friends.

Let’s focus on that. We’ll deal with tomorrow, tomorrow.”

An important reminder for everyone in these trying times, no matter our age.

Even if Scarlet O’Hara was a terrible person in a movie that perpetuates horribly inaccurate stereotypes of slavery and the American South, Vivian Leigh did get one thing right – tomorrow is another day.

The post Here’s How to Talk to Your Kids About Their Feelings During Times of Great Stress appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

Funny Parenting Tweets You Won’t Want to Miss

There are a lot of sayings out there about how you have to laugh so you won’t cry, or that laughter is the best medicine, or you have to laugh or you’ll just lose your shit…or maybe those are all kind of the same thing.

All I know is that when it comes to 24/7 parenting with young kids (or older kids, or any kids), knowing there are other parents out there doing it all along with you can really make all the difference.

So please, sit back and have a half at the expense of these 15 parents…because today, it isn’t you.

15. This just warms my heart every time I see it.

I need to get my kids some friends so they won’t need me to play with them all the time.

14. “Oh, you already ate? I guess I’ll just cook that delicious gourmet meal I had planned tomorrow night.”

Wash, rinse, repeat…just don’t forget to stock up on cereal.

13. Sure, that’s a good try, kid.

Time is relative anyway, so.

12. I don’t understand why whispering is so hard.

But I do understand why it’s good that you can hear what you under-five is saying at all times.

11. Dads don’t make the rules, they just follow them.

How would you know you were talking to a dad otherwise?

10. We go back and forth on the talking thing so many times over the course of 18 years.

We can’t wait for them to talk, then we can’t wait for them to shut up, and on and on.

9. If you have little kids, they’re all broken when you do find them.

Also so are the crayons and why do none of the markers have lids?

8. Yes and remember they will always repeat everything you say.

So watch it. I mean, if you care about that sort of thing.

7. Ah, so it’s not just my 3yo.

He would eat cookies and popsicles all day and then wonder why his stomach hurt if I let him.

6. One day they’ll be gone.

You can have hobbies and a clean house, at least until they want you to babysit the grandkids.

5. The penguin might smell worse.

In theory.

4. Someone is cruising for a bruising.

It’s like he knows nothing about his own mother.

3. Hardy har-har I would expect nothing less.

Dads gotta dad, y’all. Like I said.

2. Parents definitely need to know how quickly a toddler can bust something.

It’s directly related to how much you’re willing to pay for it.

1. Cat parents really take this whole gig very seriously.

And honestly cats just don’t care one bit.

These are slaying me! Kids are so great and also so awful all at once, right?

What’s the funniest thing you’ve read about parenting this week? Share it with us in the comments!

The post Funny Parenting Tweets You Won’t Want to Miss appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

When Your Kids’ Friends Are Allowed to Play Again, but He or She Still Can’t

Life isn’t fair. It’s a hard lesson that everyone learns at some point, usually at an age younger than we’d really like to force it on our sweet, innocent littles.

That seems to be truer than ever these days with coronavirus dampening spirits and social lives all over the globe. What makes it even harder is that, especially in the States, no two people are assessing risk and acting accordingly in the exact same way.

Which means that saying things like “I don’t care what so-and-so is doing, I’m not so-and-sos mom!” are making a comeback in a big, unpleasant way.

Image Credit: Pexels

What are you saying to your kids if you and your family are taking a more cautious approach to breaking quarantine, while their friends are getting together and enjoying their summers? How are you talking to them about why, and are they understanding?

There’s a good chance you’re hearing big sighs, and that they’re the “only one” stuck at home.

You know this isn’t true. You know there are other parents following the strict safety regulations just like there will be other kids who aren’t allowed to date until a certain age, can’t ride in a car with a new driver, can’t go to that party where no parents will be home…but that doesn’t make it any easier.

Photo Credit: Pexels

It’s hard, too, because we the parents also want to go and see our friends. We want to leave you kids home with sitters and have dinner out, we want to go to the movies. We want to get YOU out of the house, because it makes all of us happier.

Here’s the thing, though – we have to remember it’s a good lesson to learn. We all have to make the best decisions for ourselves and our families, even when it’s hard. We have to learn how to say no to things that make us uncomfortable, even if the cool kids are going.

If they don’t like you because of it, they were never really your friends to begin with, right?

Image Credit: Pexels

The best you can do is explain the reasons for your decisions, give them relevant reading material that’s age appropriate, and promise that things will get better.

They can understand, even if they don’t like it. They can follow the rules even if they don’t want to.

It’s just one of many steps to becoming an adult, and in the end, teaching them how to do that is your most important job.

The post When Your Kids’ Friends Are Allowed to Play Again, but He or She Still Can’t appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

This is Why Every Kid Should Be an Outdoor Kid

There’s a certain nostalgia many of us have regarding our childhoods and the outdoors. Depending on our ages, we might have walked to and from school every day, played outside with our friends in the summer until the street lights came on, or wandered alone on hikes through the woods and gone fishing in the streams and pools we came upon along the way.

Some people love the outdoors and make it a point to spend time in nature for a lifetime, while others may gravitate toward a more indoor lifestyle. Kids, though, shouldn’t have the option, according to experts.

Image Credit: Pexels

Studies suggest that kids who play outside and who experience landscapes and wilderness experience mood, cognitive, health and longevity benefits. Not only that, but the rough-and-tumble children who scrape up their knees or slip around in the mud? They get higher grades in school, experience lower levels of stress, and grow up caring more about conserving the environment.

Jennifer Bristol of Texas Children in Nature, is one among many experts urging parents to get their kids outside.

“Children who learn and play in nature are healthier, happier and smarter. They perform better in school, they have higher levels of self discipline, they are more cooperative with others, better problem solvers, more creative, feel more connected with nature, and become tomorrow’s conservation stewards.”

If you’re curious why so many people feel at home in, or rejuvenated by, nature, biologist E.O. Wilson has a theory known as the Biophilia Hypothesis. It rests on the idea that, before supermarkets and cities existed, people who tracked animals, ate wild flora and fauna, and were able to find clean sources of water were the most likely to survive.

Image Credit: Pexels

“It would be therefore quite extraordinary to find that all learning rules related to that world have been erased in a few thousand years, even in the tiny minority of peoples who have existed for more than one or two generations in wholly urban environments.”

Modern scientists like Richard Mitchell, an epidemiologist, agree that our bodies are pre-programmed to reward us to staying attuned to our natural habitats – and that children feel this pull more acutely.

“For kids, nature is just an amazing playground. It’s a fantastic place to discover how the world works, bounce around on tree branches, play around in mud. All of those sensory stimulations that we think are good for development.”

Mitchell also points out that studies have long suggested that our brains respond to nature by muting our stress responses – decreasing the concentration of stress hormones circulating in our bodies and lowering our blood pressure. Children who spend significant time outdoors are better able to pay attention in class and score higher on standardized tests.

One 2005 study even found that at-risk youth experienced a 27% increase in better classroom behavior and mastery of scientific concepts after a week of outdoor education.

Other benefits include improved social skills and lowered obesity rates.

A 2008 study done by Mitchell and his colleagues also revealed that low-income individuals who lived in neighborhoods with ample green space were healthier and lived longer than their more urban counterparts.

Mitchell himself, though, cautions against seeing nature as a miracle cure.

Image Credit: Pexels

“Obviously there are lots of things that drive mental and physical health. Green spaces are possibly important; one influence among many.”

There are also other factors to consider, like race and class, as people with privilege tend to have more spare time on their hands, and also fear being out in public spaces less.

If you’re wondering whether having your kids play in the backyard will reap as many benefits as a family walk, or whether a hike in the desert helps as much as a day in the mountains or at the beach, well, scientists aren’t exactly sure.

Basically, there’s no standard definition of what constitutes “nature,” but Mitchell thinks it can mean different things to different people.

Image Credit: Pexels

He says,

“The important thing is that it’s vegetated, not built-on.

For kids in particular, it’s important that there’s space to run and play. In the adult world, there’s evidence that trees are important.”

Science suggests that there’s really no such thing as an “indoor kid,” and that most children want to get outside and go for a walk or a hike if they’re given a small push.

So yes, reading is good and there are also benefits to all kids of indoor play – but science believes that none of it is a substitute for spending time in the great outdoors.

Get our your calendar and pencil in some family time in the woods along with everything else. It definitely seems as if it will be worth it, for everyone.

The post This is Why Every Kid Should Be an Outdoor Kid appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

Take a Look at the Most Popular Baby Name in All 50 States

People aren’t as original as they’d like to think, so there are a lot of repeats in the states’ favorites!

This data was compiled from 2018 census data, so you know, things might have changed a bit. What we do know for sure is that, when you’re allowed back into the Chick-fil-A playplace, there are going to be lots of little Emmas and Liams running around!

The most popular girl name, as I’ve just pointed out, is Emma – 14 states, including Arizona, California, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia

Is it because of Friends? We may never know, but Emma is for sure having a heyday!

Image Credit: Pexels

Just behind Emma, winning 13 states, is Olivia: Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Washington.

Then there’s Ava, the most popular girl’s name in 11 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia.

Harper (surprisingly!) came in first in 4 states: Iowa, Montana, South Dakota, and Vermont).

Neighboring states Minnesota and Wisconsin share a most popular female name: Evelyn, which two states that don’t seem to have much else in common at all – Rhode Island and Wyoming – both picked Amelia for their baby girls.

Image Credit: Pexels

Two states, Florida and New Mexico, favored Isabella.

Only two states – Alaska and Maine – had favorite names shared by not one other state. Their most popular girls’ names were Aurora and Charlotte, respectively.

Now, onto the boys!!

Liam is the most popular name in the country by a landslide, so it makes sense that it’s the top pick in 20 states: Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washington.

Image Credit: Pexels

The next most-chosen boy’s name belongs to Oliver, first in 11 states: Alaska, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Noah came home with a respectable showing of 8 states, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, New Mexico, and North Carolina.

William is still popular in the south, winning Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

There were more one-offs for the boy’s names, with 5 states having totally unique top picks. They are Benjamin (Massachusetts), Henry (Minnesota), John (Mississippi), Grayson (South Dakota), and Mason (West Virginia).

Image Credit: Pexels

I don’t know guys, but South Dakotans goin with Grayson is the biggest surprise of the bunch (for me!)

Well, there you have it!

Were you unique? Not so much? Tell us in the comments!

The post Take a Look at the Most Popular Baby Name in All 50 States appeared first on UberFacts.