Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Parenting Tool Kit



Parenting Goals

1. I want to be an authoritative parent.
·      Authoritative parents (L. Walker, Positive Parenting, SFL 240, Winter 2017, slide 7)
o   Are controlling and demanding but permit considerable freedom within reasonable limits
o   Have appropriately high expectations for mature behavior
o   Firmly enforce goals using commands and consequences for disobedience
o   Warm and nurturing, listen patiently and sensitively to child’s point of view
o   Encourage children’s input into family decision making Uses a rational and child involved approach in which the rights of both parents and children are recognized and respected Uses induction -- “That makes me sad when you hit your brother, how would you feel if someone hit you?”
o   Child outcomes include- independence, more likely to internalize morals and academic achievement.
·      Do not use physical punishments
o   Use natural and logical consequences to actions
§  Ex: If they break a toy, do not replace it immediately. If they don’t share with their friend, the friend goes home.
·      Facilitate open communication
o   Talk to my kids often about their day so they can feel comfortable bringing other things up
o   Tell them “you can always talk to me about anything”     
§  If they ask about sexuality or other sensitive subjects, I will not get embarrassed, I will be open and honest.
·      Provide specific and realistic goals
o   I will clearly explain the rules
§  Ex: No media in the bedroom because you should be sleeping and I want to be able to monitor your media usage.
Brooks, J. B. (2013). The process of parenting (9th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill

2. I want to be a proactive parent.
·      Proactive parenting can help to teach children how to act before they get to a situation.
o   Cocooning- shelter children from negative influences. Cocooning is good when children are young, but can be bad when children are teenagers.
§  Ex: Not showing adult media to children.
o   Pre-arming- Preparing child for influence
§  Ex: Teach children to close computer and talk to mom/dad when they come across porn
o   Deference- allowing children to make their own decisions after prearming. Prophet Joseph Smith said, “I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves.”
§  Ex: Teach them how about dating at 16, and then let them make the decision for themselves.
L. Walker, Positive Parenting, SFL 240, Winter 2017, slide 13

·      I want my husband to be able to be comfortable talking to our kids about these subjects
o   I will not have my husband talk to our sons, and me talk to our daughters. We should have family talks about this.
§  Ex: Family Home Evening about Sexuality and Pornography…
·      I want to talk to them about sexuality and maturation before they hear it from their friends.
o   I will use the appropriate vocabulary and will start talking to them when they are 3 and 4.
o   I will give my daughters information about their periods when they are 8 or 9, so they will know what is and what it does.
Brooks, J. B. (2013). The process of parenting (9th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill

3. I want to provide my children the best opportunities
·      I want to enroll them in good schools that have low teacher student ratios
o   I am open to putting them in private schools
o   We will save money so that they can attend these schools
·      I want to teach my children the gospel.
o   We will try to have FHE every week
o   We will go to church each week
o   We will talk about the gospel in our home and be open to questions.
§  Ex: When children say something that challenges the church, I will not shun them away; I will instead invite them to learn about what we do know so that they can be lifelong learners.
·      Allow them to do extra curricular activities
o   I want my children can be active and exercise
§  Allow them to do a variety of sports not just one
§  Allow them to do things other than sports
Borden, L. M., Donnermeyer, J. F., & Scheer, S. D. (2001). The influence of extra-curricular activities and peer influence on substance use. Adolescent & Family Health, 2(1), 12-19.

Challenges
1.     Parenting styles of our parents
a.     Both my parents and my parents in law were pretty reserved when it came to sexuality. So I don’t have a good example of how the conversation should go
b.     I can read books about sexuality
·      Sexual Wholeness in Marriage by Busby, Carroll, and Leavitt
·      Developing Sexual Wholeness in Children and Teens: An LDS Parent’s Guide to Teaching Healthy Sexuality- Padilla- Walker, Busby, Leavitt, & Carroll
c.     I can also practice with my husband so that we can know what we want to say and be comfortable saying it.
2.     Having multiple children
a.     I feel like it is easy with your first child to watch and monitor all these things, but when you have multiple kids, it is more difficult.
b.     Proactive parenting is really important so that children can govern themselves.
c.     Making sure my spouse is on the same page as me so that we can be on team in watching our children.
What are my parenting goals?
·      I want to be proactive in teaching my kids about the gospel before making the big decisions.
·      I want to teach my children about sexuality when they are young- before they hear about it from their friends. I want to facilitate open communication about sexuality.
·      I want my kids to be good learners
·      I want to put my kids in the best schools so that they can have individualized attention.
·      I want to read with my kids everyday.
·      I want to limit screen time to an hour a day
·      I want to do lots of crafts and activities. I want my kids to be able to entertain themselves and be creative and have an imagination.
·      I want to facilitate play, so I will play with them and have my husband play with them as well.  

16 Guidelines of Positive Parenting
Internalization is Goal!
Mostly for Children
Guidelines not rules
1.     Always explain reasons why they should conform
2.     Rules in Positive statements (for preschool age)
3.     Distract/Redirect (do not always call attention to unwanted behavior)
4.     Only give children choices that are acceptable to you (don’t give too many choices)
5.     Consequences should be immediate following misbehavior for young kids
6.     Treat children as a group
7.     Involve children in solutions to their problems and involve them in consequences
8.     Place responsibility of ending the punishment upon the child
9.     Use time out when you or child are emotionally upset
10.  Use natural and logical consequences
11.  Escalation of punishment- remind child of the rule, warn of consequences... follow through
12.  Expected behavior should fit development of the child
13.  Monitor child’s life responsibly- in ways that develop perseverance, pro-social behavior
14.  Be Flexible in discipline- consequences and rules
15.  Spend quality time with children
16.  Show and increase in love after discipline
L. Walker, Positive Parenting, SFL 240, Winter 2017, slide 17-23



Transition to Parenthood and Pregnancy:
Getting Pregnant:
1.     After the egg is released, it has 24 hours to be fertilized
2.     Use a period tracker app to track when you most likely are ovulating
3.     A pregnancy test will not work until AFTER a missed period- so be patient and don’t waste money on testing before your missed period.
Brooks, J. B. (2013). The process of parenting (9th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Infertility:
You may become discouraged that you are incapable of having kids after just a few months, but:
1.     Infertility means you have tried to get pregnant for 1 year. Don’t freak out if you don’t get pregnant in the first couple of months.
2.     Female infertility could be caused by: hormonal imbalance, ovum not produced or not viable or blocked fallopian tubes.
3.     Male infertility could be caused by: hormonal imbalance, not enough viable sperm, improper body temperature and blocked vas deferens.
4.     Treatments for infertility include but are not limited to:
                        Medication- helps induce ovulation
                        Intrauterine Insemination- specially prepared sperm are inserted into the uterus
                        IVF- sperm and egg and handled outside the body then injected into the uterus
Remember that these treatments will cost lots of money.
Gross, D. L. (2008). Infancy: development from birth to age 3. Boston: Pearson A & B
Pregnancy:
Kellie! Congrats on getting pregnant! Here are some milestones that you can look forward to. Be excited! There is no other time that a living thing will be growing inside you. Plus your kids are gonna be darn cute if they look anything like you two did as babies!
Love, Kellie


Pregnancy Milestones





Gross, D. L. (2008). Infancy: development from birth to age 3. Boston: Pearson A & B
First Trimester (0-3 Months)
o   Baby is very sensitive during the embryonic period (2-8 weeks)
o   Heart starts beating around 5 weeks
Second Trimester (3-6 months)
o   Mom begins to show!
o   Can find out the gender of the baby at 20 week ultra sound
Third Trimester (6 months- birth)
o   Baby can survive outside the womb at 27 weeks

Common Concerns
1.     Start taking your prenatal vitamin now.
o   The most sensitive period of development occurs before you even know you are pregnant, so start preparing now.
2.     Be careful about your diet
Brooks, J. B. (2013). The process of parenting (9th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill
                                   


3.     Start exercising now- whatever you do before pregnancy you can do now that you’re pregnant.
·       Ideas for Exercise: Talk to your doctor
·      Swimming
·      Aerobics
·      Walking
·      Slow running
     4. Weight gain  L. Walker, Pregnancy and Childbirth, SFL 240, Winter 2017, slide 22
o   You are a normal height and weight, so you should only gain 25-35 lbs (37-54 lbs twins).
o   You should gain 1 lb a week for 2nd and 3rd trimesters
o   Not all of this weight is from fat- the majority of it is the baby and increased blood volume.
o   You are NOT Fat, your body is making another human!

Labor and Delivery:
o   Natural Delivery (Talk to Marsali about the classes she took)
o   Lamaze Method
§  Tries to lessen the pain by concentrating on set procedures
§  Breathing techniques
§  Husband is trained to be a coach
o   Bradley Method
§  Teaches positive attitudes
§  Mother will have pain but it is not unbearable
§  Teaches mothers to relax and not fight the pain during the contractions but to use them to work for you
§  Uses gravity to help birthing (birthing wedge)
o   Home Births
§  Risk factor may be minimal if a low-risk mother
§  Difficult to anticipate if you are going to have complications
o   Birthing Centers-  http://www.birthcenters.org/
o   Midwife- ¤http://www.midwife.org/
o   Hypnobirth- ¤http://www.hypnobirthing.com/
o   Epideral
o   C-Section
o   Preferably only for an emergency

3 Stages of Delivery
·       Dilation and Effacement of Cervix- ends with Transition
·       Pushing and Birth of Baby
·       Birth of Placenta

YOU CAN DO THIS! Women were made to birth babies!
Infants and Toddlers:
Physical Development
·       Reflexes at birth
o   Grasp reflex, rooting, sucking, walking
·       Prefer smell of Mom
·       They like the sound of motherese
·       Born to speak any language
·       Vision is blurry, so get up close
·       Brain grows
·       Children should gain 5-6 lbs a year
·       Coordination Increases each year
·       Fine Motor Milestones
o   Reach for something @ 4 months
o   Grab/ Hold something @ 6 months
o   Pincer Grasp @ 9 months
o   Hold Silverware @ 12 months
·       The following chart shows the gross motor milestones
o   Rolling over @ 3 months
o   Sitting up @ 6 months
o   Crawling @ 8 months
o   Walking @ 12 months
·        

L. Walker, Birth to Two, SFL 240, Winter 2017, slide 6
Cognitive and Language Development
·       Babies learn by doing and by examples
·       Babies begin to make noises and communicate, this chart shows how to facilitate language
·       Reading is the most important thing for language development
·       Walk them through what you are doing

L. Walker, Birth to Two, SFL 240, Winter 2017, slide 12


·      This chart shows how children are sensing and moving about their environment
L. Walker, Birth to Two, SFL 240, Winter 2017, slide 10



·       This chart shows the milestones for language development in early childhood
L. Walker, Birth to Two, SFL 240, Winter 2017, slide 11

Emotional Development
·       Children are developing attachments
·       Important contributors to Secure attachment:
o   Sensitivity- ability to perceive the infants signals accurately and respond appropriately and promptly
o   Mutuality- positive harmony and mutuality in relationship
o   Synchronicity- coordinated social interactions
o   Positive Attitude- emotional expressiveness, acceptance and delight in the child
·       Brooks, J. B. (2013). The process of parenting (9th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill
·       Stranger Anxiety- Peaks at 8-10 months
·       Separation Anxiety- Peaks at 14-18 months
·       Trust vs. Mistrust- has to do with attachment formation

L. Walker, Birth to Two, SFL 240, Winter 2017, slide 14

Moral and Spiritual Development
·       Very little, they don’t feel guilty
·       You can teach them to pray
·       Set limitations and be specific

Temperament Traits
Easy
Difficult
Activity Level (how active the child is generally)
Low
High
Distractibility (degree of concentration and paying attention when child is not particularly interested)
Low
High
Intensity (how loud the child is)
Low
High
Regularity (the predictability of biological functions like appetite and sleep)
Regular
Irregular
Sensory Threshold (how sensitive the child is to physical stimuli: touch, taste, smell, sound, light)
High
Low
Approach/Withdrawal (characteristic responses of a child to a new situation or to strangers)
Approach
Withdraw
Adaptability (how easily the child adapts to transitions and changes like switching to a new activity)
Good
Poor
Persistence(stubbornness, inability to give up)
Low
High
Mood (tendency to react to the world primarily in a positive or negative way)
Positive
Negative
L. Walker, Birth to Two, SFL 240, Winter 2017, slide 22

1. Crying
·       Basic Cry- a rhythmic pattern of a cry – a brief silence – a short inspiratory whistle that is higher pitched – a brief rest (hunger, uncomfortable)
·       Anger Cry- more intense/unpleasant than the basic cry – more excess air forced through the vocal cords
·       Pain Cry- a sudden very intense/unpleasant cry without preliminary moaning – a long initial cry followed by an extended period of breath holding (most parents can interpret this cry)
·       Attention Cry -develops later, insincere, manipulative, varies in intensity depending upon attention receiving
·       Pay attention to your child and respond appropriately. Look for signs of hunger before they get to crying.
Gross, D. L. (2008). Infancy: development from birth to age 3. Boston: Pearson A & B
2. Breastfeeding
·      Pros for Baby
o   Provides warmth and closeness (dad should take off shirt when feeding)
o   Easier for baby to digest
o   Doesn’t need to be prepared
o   Give your antiobodies to the baby
·      Pros for Mom
o   Releases oxytocin which promotes mothering behavior
o   Return uterus to the size it was before
o   Burns calories
o   Reduce risk of ovarian and breast cancer
Brooks, J. B. (2013). The process of parenting (9th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill
·      What mom eats will be in breastmilk 4-6 hours later
·      How long? Be exclusive for 4-6 months, I would like to breastfeed for at least 1 year
·      Problems
o   Trouble latching
o   Can’t produce enough milk
o   Painful
·      Any mom can do it if they practice. You really have to commit to it
3. Sleep
Age
Recommended amount of sleep
Newborns
16-18 hours a day
Preschool-aged children
11-12 hours a day
School-aged children
At least 10 hours a day
Teens
9-10 hours a day
Adults
7-8 hours a day
·      Infants should sleep on their backs
·      No bedding or loose blankets
·      Firm mattress
·      One piece baby clothing
·      Beware of room temperature
·      Babies should not sleep in their car seat or bouncy chair
·      Infants should be observed by sight or sound at all times
·      Put the baby to bed drowsy
·      Wait a few minutes when they are fussy so they can learn to sooth themselves
·       Establish a predictable routine that is calming
L. Walker, Birth to Two, SFL 240, Winter 2017, slide 37-40

Introducing Solids
o   4-6 months (talk with pediatrician)
o   Some breastfeed exclusively for the 1st year (AAP recommendation)
·      If Family history of allergies:
o   Infant cereal (rice fortified with iron) first
o   Fruit juices (avoid citrus juices – apple first)
o   Limit fruit juice
o   Give them water!
o   Still supplement with breast milk
·      If no history of food allergies:
o   Blend and grind own food
o   After 6 mos. infants can eat what you eat


Preschool Age
“Optimal development during these years is more likely to occur if children have opportunities to establish positive and caring relationships with adults and other children” (p. 97)
Bredekamp, S. & Copple, C. (1997). Developmentally appropriate practice in Early Childhood Programs. NAEYC: Washington D.C.

Physical Development
·      Running @ 2 years
·      Going upstairs every other foot, downstairs 2 feet on every step @ 3 years
·      Go up and down stairs alternating feet and ride a tricycle @ 4 years
·      Ride a bike @5 years


Cognitive and Language Development
·      Egocentrism- inability to take someone else’s point of view
·      Theory of Mind- Understanding your own thoughts are different from those of another
o   Develops 3-4 ½ years
o   Enhanced by siblings and imaginary play
·      Language
o   3 years- vocabulary- other people should understand 75% of what they are saying, over generalize meaning and make up words to fit needs
o   4 years- expands vocabulary, shows attention to the abstract
o   5 years- pronounces words with little difficulty
o   It is normal for kids to stutter a little

Emotional Development
·      Initiative vs. Guilt
·      2-3 years- situational compliance- child obeys with frequent prompts from present parent
·      3-4 years- committed compliance- child obeys willingly with parent in the room
·      4+ years- internalization- child obeys when parent leaves room
·      Parents need to model self-regulation, be prepared and realistic, practice gradually

Moral Development
·      Still pre moral up to 4 years
·      Little understanding of rules
·      Children are very literal- skip violent scriptures
·      Establish patterns, involve children and answer questions at church

Common Concerns
1.     Safety
·      Children should always wear a bike helmet
·      Inside- be proactive and put baby locks on everything, outlets, put cleaners away
·      Car Seats
                                               i.     Rear facing as long as possible (40 lbs)
                                             ii.     Need a booster until 8 years
                                            iii.     Front seat @ 12 years old
            http://www.nhtsa.gov/Safety/CPS
Billie, H., Crump, C. E., Letourneau, R. J., & West, B. A. (2016). Child safety and booster seat use in five tribal communities, 2010–2014. Journal Of Safety Research, 59113-117. doi:10.1016/j.jsr.2016.09.002

2.     Temper Tantrums
·      Fight with autonomy, controlling parents= more tantrums
·      Make expectations clear, simple, consisten
·      Assist cooperation by gentle verbal & physical requests
·      Model expected behaviors
·      Offer choices
·      Distract
·      Be proactive
·      Don’t give in
·      Pick your battles
L. Walker, Early Childhood, SFL 240, Winter 2017, slide 21

3.     Potty Training
·      Around age 3
·      Be positive- no punishing
·      Schedule potty breaks- ask every 15 min
·      Set aside time for training
·      Teach good hygiene
·      Allow for autonomy- let them choose their underwear
Au, S., & Stavinoha, P. L. (2008). Stress-free potty training: A commonsense guide to finding the right approach for your child. New York, NY, US: AMACOM.
4.     Preschool
·      Prepares kids for kingergarten- not required
·      Need to be potty trained
·      Pay attention to teacher-child ratio
·      Quality of environment
·      Teaches them social interactions
·      Is child ready to leave? Potty Trained, can they leave you
Brooks, J. B. (2013). The process of parenting (9th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill
5.     Picky Eaters
·      Kids have extra taste buds
·      Respect when your child is hungry or not
·      Serve meals and snacks at similar times- no juice and water between meals
·      Introduce new foods with favorites
·      Make it fun
·      Let child choose healthy snacks
·      Set a good example
·      Minimize distractions
·      Dessert should not be a rewards
·      Do not cook to order
·      Stomach is the size of their fist
L. Walker, Early Childhood, SFL 240, Winter 2017, slide 36


School Age
Physical Development
·      Not a lot- brain is full adult size
·      Puberty can start as early as 7-8

Cognitive and Language Development
·      Count to 20 by age 5
·      Early reading by age 6
·      Addition and subtraction at age 7-8
·      Multiplication by age 9
·      Chapter books by 8-9
L. Walker, Elementary Children, SFL 240, Winter 2017, slide 6
·      Children are starting to have concrete operational thinking
·      This chart explains this:

L. Walker, Elementary Children, SFL 240, Winter 2017, slide 5

Emotional Development
·      Industry vs. Identity
o   Self Concept and Self Esteem
o   Encourage them to explore their interests
·      Focus On The Process And Coaching Skills
o   Helping with math homework – just do not give the answers
o   Provide & encourage long-term systematic instruction for skill development
o   Do not hold up a standard that is unreachable at first, but break down the skill into achievable bite-sized pieces that children can succeed in and practice with some success.
o   As children get discouraged, make sure that the demands of the situation are not overwhelming and help them keep working at it.
o   Avoid over praising. Praise effort rather than performance.
o   With persistence, they will learn that they can accomplish their goals and that they will have a supportive family behind them.
L. Walker, Elementary Children, SFL 240, Winter 2017, slide 10

Moral and Spiritual Development
·      Age of accountability- children are able to feel guilty and recognize right from wrong
·      Children can read scriptures and pray on their own
·      Mortality is motivated by authority figures
·      Parents should contextualize
·      Parents should reward children for good behavior

1.     Gender
a.     Gender socialization will NOT impact your child’s gender identity or sexual orientation
b.     Allow your child to develop his or her own interests and divine gifts
c.     Allow both girls AND boys to express emotions
d.     Encourage mixed friendship groups during late childhood
e.     Encourage androgyny
L. Walker, Elementary Children, SFL 240, Winter 2017, slide 17

2.     Self Esteem
a.     Encourage children to explore interests
b.     Help children feel competent
c.     Don’t hold standards that are unrealistic
d.     Be the Cheerleader
e.     Praise effort not performance
f.      Remind them of their divine identity
L. Walker, Elementary Children, SFL 240, Winter 2017, slide 10
Brooks, J. B. (2013). The process of parenting (9th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill

3.     Aggression
a.     In younger children, ignore aggressive behavior that is attention seeking
b.     Teaching children that aggression does NOT get them what they want
c.     Teach/show principles of kindness to children at an early age
d.     Set the example by not “saying demeaning things” about others
e.     Do not turn a cold shoulder or stop talking to your child when he/she does something that upsets you
f.      Teach and model empathy understanding in young children
g.     Teach children the importance of including everyone in their activities
h.     Be able to “forgive and forget and move on”
L. Walker, Elementary Children, SFL 240, Winter 2017, slide 17
Brooks, J. B. (2013). The process of parenting (9th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill



Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood
Physical Development
·      Puberty
·      Changes in height and weight
·      Girls reach maturity 2 years earlier
·      Eat a TON
·      They need a LOT of sleep


L. Walker, Parenting Teens, SFL 240, Winter 2017, slide 4

Cognitive and Language Development
·      Egocentricism- very focused on themselves, appearance
·      Imaginary audience
·      Self admiring
·      Fail to separate unique and normal- many struggle with body image
o   Take risks because they see themselves as the exception
·      Personal Fable
Emotional Development
·      Strive for emotional and behavioral autonomy

L. Walker, Parenting Teens, SFL 240, Winter 2017, slide 15

Moral and Spiritual Development
·      Conventional reasoning
·      Ability to see another’s point of view
·      Golden Rule

1.     Drug Abuse
a.     Teens whose parents talk to them regularly about the dangers of drugs
b.     Parental knowledge (monitoring) is consistently linked to lower delinquency and drug use
c.     Parental knowledge is predicted most strongly by child disclosure
d.     Parental solicitation is also sometimes linked to knowledge
e.     Parental control is almost never linked to knowledge
f.      Allowing for autonomy can help to reduce parent-child squabbles and maintain a strong relationship
L. Walker, Parenting Teens, SFL 240, Winter 2017, slide 35

2.     Working During School
a.     Up to 10 hours per week- Not related to any psychological symptoms, Little effect on adolescent development
b.     Beyond 10 hours per week-Anxiety, Depression, Sleep per night declines, Disruptive to eating and exercise habits
c.     Beyond 20 hours per week- Problems become considerably worse

L. Walker, Parenting Teens, SFL 240, Winter 2017, slide 19-20
3.     Body Image
a.     Avoid putting down your own body or that of others
b.     Avoid making comments about your child’s body, focus on health
c.     Engage in family activities together that promote health
d.     Avoid comments about the value of others based on body type (e.g., movie starts, super heroes)
e.     Encourage your child to focus on what his/her body can do
f.      Encourage your child to establish patterns of healthy eating and exercise – without obsessing
McVey G, Davis R. A program to promote positive body image: A 1-year follow-up evaluation. The Journal Of Early Adolescence [serial online]. February 2002;22(1):96-108. Available from: PsycINFO, Ipswich, MA. Accessed April 19, 2017.
·      Financial Assistance
a.     It’s always about the relationship!
b.     Don’t be controlling with their finances, allow them to be autonomous
c.     I want to do what my parents did. They paid for my housing, but I was responsible for tuition. Helped me earn scholarships and work hard.


L. Walker, Parenting Teens, SFL 240, Winter 2017, slide 37

Parenting and Media
·      Children don’t need phones but are often viewing media on television
·      Teenagers are in school with friends who are getting phones
·      Teenagers should be allowed autonomy with their phones- there is a level of trust between parents and teens

1.   Pornography
·      Restrict media in the bedroom
·      Tell them you will look at their text messages each night
·      Set parent restrictions on computers
·      Keep media out in the open
·      Set a media curfew
·      Be careful with songs that have sexual content
·      Talk to and pre-arm children before hand
L. Walker, Positive Parenting, SFL 240, Winter 2017, slide 13

2.     Social Interactions
a.     Media has reduced the amount of face to face interaction
b.     Do non media activities with your children- go outside
c.     Watch media with your children so they can understand what you are seeing and so you can discuss any questions they have
d.     Have children invite friends over instead of doing media
e.     Watch movies as a family
f.      Use media to connect with loved ones over Skype
Barr, R., Zack, E., Garcia, A., & Muentener, P. (2008). Infants' Attention and Responsiveness to Television Increases with Prior Exposure and Parental Interaction. Infancy, 13(1), 30-56.

3.     Time Spent on Media
a.     Children should not be consuming media before 2 years of age
b.     Limit to 1 hour a day- focus on educational media for young children
c.     Have them spend time doing family history- if they need to be on the computer
d.     View media together
e.     Set time restrictions for older kids- let them have input on the time
f.      No phones at the table
g.     They do not need a smartphone
h.     MONITOR
American Academy of Pediatrics Announces New Recommendations for Children's Media Use. (2016). Retrieved March 21, 2017, from https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/american-academy-of-pediatrics-announces-new-recommendations-for-childrens-media-use.aspx

Parenting and Sexuality
·      Young children- it is ordinary for them to touch themselves
o   Parents should not respond in shaming ways
o   Distraction!
·      Older children- puberty begins earlier
o   Spermarche (boys wet dream) and Menarche
o   Do not teach with object lessons

1.     Church View of Sexuality
a.     Do not use metaphors when explaining
b.     Do not shame ever! Start when they are little with not shaming
c.     Be open to questions
d.     Use the correct terminology
e.     Teach them about sex before they hear it from their friends
f.      Cocooning is linked to earlier sexual debut (Atienzo et al., 2009), more adherence to peer norms about sexuality (Whitaker et al., 2000), and unsafe sexual practices
g.     Pre-arming prior to sex is linked to teens reporting that parents are the best source of information about sex (Whitaker et al., 2000), delay of first sexual intercourse, safer sexual practices, and higher levels of healthy sexuality (de Graaf, 2011)

2.     Parents not feeling adequate
a.     You don’t need to be perfectly sexually healthy to raise sexually healthy children
b.     It is not too early to talk with your children about sexuality
c.     Allow your children to put questions about sexuality in a jar and pull one out and address it each week
d.     Have a family home evening on sexuality and let your children teach Find a special time when you go out with your child and make sexuality part of the conversation
e.      Talk about sexuality openly from an early age – let children know it is okay to talk about and to ask questions
L. Walker, Parenting and Sexuality, SFL 240, Winter 2017, slide 10, 25
3.     How to talk about Sex
·       Parents need to change the conversation and foster a “culture of openness”
    • Change “how” be approachable, open, non-reactive
    • Change “when” not a single conversation – many and early
    • Focus on “why” emotional, spiritual, healthy sexuality (not just behavioral)
    • RELATIONSHIP!!!
L. Walker, Parenting and Sexuality, SFL 240, Winter 2017, slide 16

·       Sexual Wholeness in Marriage by Busby, Carroll, and Leavitt
·       Forthcoming: Developing Sexual Wholeness in Children and Teens: An LDS Parent's Guide to Teaching Healthy Sexuality by Padilla-Walker, Busby, Leavitt, & Carroll


Keeping Marriage Healthy
1.     Commitment
a.     Personal dedication: intentional decision and desire to stay in a marriage for mutual benefit
b.     Intentional personal dedication: you sacrifice for the relationship, invest in it, and seek partner’s welfare
c.     Exclusive cleaving and unity: spouse is preeminent in the life of the husband or wife, nothing social, occupational, or political takes precedence
d.     Practice spiritual patterns: couples who practice faith together have lower conflict and are more likely to be satisfied and committed
L. Walker, Healthy Marriage, SFL 240, Winter 2017, slide 4
2.     Connection
a.     “Love as distinct from “being in love” is not merely a feeling. It is a deep unity, maintained by the will and deliberately strengthened by habit…They can have this love for each other even at those moments when they do not like each other…It is on this love that the engine of marriage is run: being in love was the explosion that started it.” C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
3.     Conflict
a.     Focus on your spouse’s positive qualities (make and share lists) “The formula for a happy marriage is the same as the formula for living in California: when you find a fault, don’t dwell on it!” (Humorist, Jay Trachman)
b.     “I have witnessed much of the best and much of the worst in marriage…Faultfinding replaces praise. When we look for the worst in anyone, we will find it. But if we will concentrate on the best, that element will grow until it sparkles.” President Hinckley

Linda K Burton Test:
We might test ourselves by asking a few questions:
1. When was the last time I sincerely praised my companion, either alone or in the presence of our children?
2. When was the last time I thanked, expressed love for, or earnestly pleaded in faith for him or her in prayer?
3. When was the last time I stopped myself from saying something I knew could be hurtful?
4. When was the last time I apologized and humbly asked for forgiveness—without adding the words “but if only you had” or “but if only you hadn’t”?
5. When was the last time I chose to be happy rather than demanding to be “right”?

Marriage Goals

1.     Go on dates every week
a.     This will allow us to talk to each other not about parenting
b.     This will help us strengthen our relationship
c.     This will teach our children that the spouse is priority
L. Walker, Healthy Marriage, SFL 240, Winter 2017, slide 10
2.     Be united in our decisions
a.     I don’t want our children to be able to “work the system”
b.     I want to discuss with my spouse about our rules
c.     If something comes up that I am not sure on, I will tell my child that we need to wait until I can talk to dad and then I will let you know.
d.     I will try to be on the same page as my spouse
Bradbury, T. N., & Karney, B. R. (2014). Intimate relationships. New York, NY: Norton.
3.     I will continue my intimate relationship
a.     Kids can be tiring, but we need to still be intimate
b.     We can plan times to have sex
c.     I will not reject his touchy behaviors
d.     I will tell him I love him
e.     I will tell him about my day (not just the kids)
Bradbury, T. N., & Karney, B. R. (2014). Intimate relationships. New York, NY: Norton.


Quotes:

·      “As our children grow, they need information taught by parents more directly and plainly about what is and is not appropriate. Parents need to teach children to avoid any pornographic photographs or stories… talk to them plainly about sex and the teaching of the gospel regarding chastity. Let this information come from parents in the home in an appropriate way.” Elder Ballard

·      “Sexual fragmentation is particularly harmful because it is particularly deceptive. The intense human intimacy that should be enjoyed in and symbolized by sexual union is counterfeited by sensual episodes which suggest--but cannot deliver--acceptance, understanding, and love.” Elder Holland\

·      “It was essential that God’s spirit children have mortal birth and an opportunity to progress toward eternal life. In the light of the ultimate purpose of the great plan of happiness, I believe that the ultimate treasures on earth and in heaven are our children and our posterity” Dallin H. Oaks

·      “We believe in families, and we believe in children…” Neil L. Anderson

·      The purpose of mortal life for the children of God is to provide the experiences needed “to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. We progress by making choices, by which we are tested to show that we will keep God’s commandments (see Abraham 3:25). To be tested, we must have the agency to choose between alternatives. To provide alternatives on which to exercise our agency, we must have opposition. Oaks, Opposition in all Things (2016)

·      1 Nephi 4:4-6
            4 For the Lord God hath said that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall             prosper in the land; and inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut             off from my presence.
            5 But behold, my sons and my daughters, I cannot go down to my grave save I should             leave a blessing upon you; for behold, I know that if ye are brought up in the way ye             should go ye will not depart from it.
            6 Wherefore, if ye are cursed, behold, I leave my blessing upon you, that the cursing may             be taken from you and be answered upon the heads of your parents.

·      “And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents.”              D&C 68:25

·      Every spirit of man was innocent in the beginning; and God having redeemed man from the fall, men became again, in their infant state, innocent before God. And that wicked one cometh and taketh away light and truth, through disobedience, from the children of men, and because of the tradition of their fathers. But I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth. D&C 93: 38-40

·      “…the ills that plague the American family come from many sources, but I think one major source is that our society no longer honors what I witnessed every day - - the quiet heroism of everyday parenting.” -Jay Belsky

·      Being a father or a mother is not only a great challenge, it is a divine calling. It is an effort requiring consecration. President David O. McKay stated that being parents is “the greatest trust that has been given to human beings.” (The Responsibility of Parents to Their Children, pamphlet, Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, n.d., p. 1.)

·      While few human challenges are greater than that of being good parents, few opportunities offer greater potential for joy. Surely no more important work is to be done in this world than preparing our children to be God-fearing, happy, honorable, and productive. Parents will find no more fulfilling happiness than to have their children honor them and their teachings. It is the glory of parenthood. John testified, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (3 Jn. 1:4.) In my opinion, the teaching, rearing, and training of children requires more intelligence, intuitive understanding, humility, strength, wisdom, spirituality, perseverance, and hard work than any other challenge we might have in life. 

·      “Discipline is probably one of the most important elements in which a mother and a father can lead and guide and direct their children. . . Setting limits to what a child can do means to that child that you love him and respect him.  If you permit the child to do all the things he would like to do without any limits, that means to him that you do not care much about him.” President Spencer W. Kimball (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 341)

·      “There is a need for discipline with families.  But discipline with severity and with cruelty, inevitably leads not to correction, but to resentment and bitterness.  It cures nothing and only aggravates the problem.” President Gordon B. Hinckley (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, p. 418)

·      “Above all else, children need to know and feel they are loved, wanted, and appreciated.  They need to be assured of that often.” - President Ezra Taft Benson (Conference Reports, 1982 p 60)

·      “There is no discipline in all the world like the discipline of love.  It has a magic all its own.”  President Gordon B. Hinckley (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, p. 419)

·      “Use no lash and no violence, but approach them with reason, with persuasion and love unfeigned.”  President Joseph F. Smith (Gospel Doctrine, p. 316)
           
·      “I have never accepted the principle of  ‘spare the rod and spoil the child.’ . . . Children don’t need beating.  They need love and encouragement.” Gordon B. Hinckley (Ensign, November 1994, 53)