© 2018 GWEN DEWAR, PH.D., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Positive parenting lowers a child’s risk of behavioral and emotional problems, and it helps protect kids against the effects of toxic stress. But what, exactly, is positive parenting, and how should parents get started? Positive parenting means slightly different things to different...
© 2010 – 2022 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved #author-byline-block_5b8555d478ee52fd43a0c7b6ae4cc520 .author-byline-text{ font-size: 16px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); } Permissive parenting seems to be the “no discipline” approach to discipline. Does it damage kids? Threaten to destroy civilization? The research suggests that permissiveness isn’t the best approach to parenting —...
© 2008 – 2022 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved #author-byline-block_622afbc083ade .author-byline-text{ font-size: 16px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); } The Strange Situation procedure: The original test of the infant-parent bond We hear a lot about “secure attachment relationships.” But what exactly do researchers mean by this term? Psychologist Mary Ainsworth first...
© 2018-2022 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved #author-byline-block_6233aaae186c4 .author-byline-text{ font-size: 16px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); } Postpartum depression symptoms overlap with symptoms of the “baby blues,” the mood swings that mothers experience in the first few days after childbirth. But when symptoms persist beyond two weeks — or take a...
© 2007 – 2022 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved #author-byline-block_6233aee33a3b4 .author-byline-text{ font-size: 16px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); } What causes postpartum stress in new mothers? It’s clear that childbirth is stressful. During labor, the hormones associated with psychological stress — epinephrine and cortisol — rise by a whopping 500%...
© 2010 – 2022 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved #author-byline-block_622f8260a8f25 .author-byline-text{ font-size: 16px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); } The authoritarian parenting style is about being strict and stern. It insists on unquestioning obedience, and enforces good behavior through psychological control — threats, shaming, and other punishments. As defined by...
My son has been quiet all afternoon. Not in his usual introverted way—today he’s brooding. Slumpy. I plop down beside […] The post How to thrive as the parent of a sensitive teenager appeared first on Christian Parenting.
We’ve been preparing for our longest RV trip yet, which means making far too many pink and orange highlighted lists […] The post Freedom in Christ—a more enjoyable way to live appeared first on Christian Parenting.
“I don’t want to take a nap! I am not tired! You are so unfair!” “I am the only teen […] The post How to avoid power struggles with your children appeared first on Christian Parenting.
When God prompted us to adopt Joy three years ago, it came out of the blue—days before our twenty year […] The post Surrendering to God’s call appeared first on Christian Parenting.
Becoming a mother came with a surprising level of mourning. As I held onto the tangible joy of my first […] The post Manna in the margins appeared first on Christian Parenting.
Hearing the word “porn” can make us want to shout “la la la la” with our fingers in our ears. […] The post Engaging critical conversations about pornography appeared first on Christian Parenting.
It was a sunny Fourth of July weekend. Red roses and navy ribbons were the ideal backdrop for my fiancé, […] The post Two funerals and a wedding: 3 principles of grief in a stepfamily appeared first on Christian Parenting.
My friend and her husband were embarking on quite an adventure. They sensed God calling them to become a foster […] The post Pleasing God, not people appeared first on Christian Parenting.
Did you know that Christian Parenting has a podcast network? The Christian Parenting Podcast Network curates the best parenting podcasts […] The post A podcast for every parent appeared first on Christian Parenting.
It’s been a few years, but I (Shellie) well remember my first bout of SAG. And no, I’m not referring […] The post Three ways to strengthen the bond with your grandkids appeared first on Christian Parenting.
Since Genesis 3, shame has been Satan’s primary weapon against the sons and daughters of God. The reason shame is so powerful? Because it speaks to the core of our identity. Shame is not only the sense that we’re not enough—but that we’re tragically different. Irreparably damaged. Unworthy of love. ...
Matthew and his parents entered my office and sat down on my couch. Matthew folded his arms and stared out my window. His parents both took a deep sigh as they looked at each other. Feeling the tension in the room, I said, “Thank you for coming in today. You...
I don’t have to tell you that because of COVID-19, our world has changed dramatically. Thanks to the vaccines, we’re beginning to get out into this new world to discover what comes next. And it’s a little scary. In our attempt to re-enter a more normal existence we shouldn’t forget...
When we talk about “purity culture” in the Church, it’s often followed by stories of hurt, anger, and regret. So, what is purity culture, and why are people so upset about it? How did something that set out to be so well meaning and helpful hurt so many? What is...
