<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Better Relationships &#187; parenting</title>
	<atom:link href="https://www.better-relationships.com/tag/parenting/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>https://www.better-relationships.com</link>
	<description>Marriage &#38; Couples Counseling, Psychotherapy, Premarital Counseling</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Tue, 21 Mar 2023 23:20:05 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en-US</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.18</generator>
	<item>
		<title>Talking to Your Kids About Sex: Do’s and Don’ts</title>
		<link>https://www.better-relationships.com/talking-to-your-kids-about-sex-dos-and-donts/</link>
		<comments>https://www.better-relationships.com/talking-to-your-kids-about-sex-dos-and-donts/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2018 22:17:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jim Swaniger]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[COMMUNICATION]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PARENTING]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SEX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[children and sex]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kids and sex]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sex]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sex education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[teen sex]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.better-relationships.com/?p=4061</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[&#160; It’s the one conversation that makes parents cringe and squirm: the sex talk. It&#8217;s natural if you feel anxious about this and you can let your child know this if it happens. They too will probably feel awkward but if you keep calm and aren&#8217;t afraid of having this discussion, it will help them feel safer with you. If you are finding yourself in this position, considering these &#8216;Do’s and Don’ts&#8217; may help you handle the situation: Do Start the Conversation Early This means starting the discussion much earlier than you might imagine. So be prepared, learn what to say and agree with your partner on how to approach this sensitive topic. Parents who choose to do so have “The Talk” just before their child&#8217;s teen years. Yet, the conversation really needs to happen earlier than that, and not just once. Of course, you want to be age-appropriate, especially with young children. One good resource for knowing when to start and what to say is your child&#8217;s pediatrician. Also, several excellent books on this topic are available. Young people are usually way ahead of their parents when it comes to leaning about sex.  They&#8217;ve already seen or heard a lot of sexual references in TV shows, movies, social media and music. But without proper guidance, trying to make sense of this on their own can leave a child confused and anxious. So instead of waiting until your child starts believing what they see and hear from friends or on social media, consider starting these discussions more sooner than later. Don’t Overreact to Questions If your child starts asking questions about sex, don’t overreact. Instead, take a few deep breaths to get yourself centered and ready to talk. Thank them for coming to you and tell them you know how hard this might be for them. Their curiosity is normal, and taking the initiative to ask you indicates that they trust and feel safe you. But, if they see you getting upset or overreacting, they may blame themselves and learn not to ask you again. Their questions are an opportunity [&#8230;]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://www.better-relationships.com/talking-to-your-kids-about-sex-dos-and-donts/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>New Fathers Emotional Struggles</title>
		<link>https://www.better-relationships.com/new-fathers-emotions/</link>
		<comments>https://www.better-relationships.com/new-fathers-emotions/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Nov 2016 03:13:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jim Swaniger]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[MEN'S ISSUES]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RELATIONSHIPS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WOMEN'S ISSUES]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[first time dads]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pregnancy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.better-relationships.com/?p=3456</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[“We’re pregnant!” A first pregnancy is a significant psychological and emotional milestone in the lives of the new parents and often in their families’ lives. But a new arrival can have a “good news – bad news” effect. For instance, the news of a pregnancy can afford family members an opportunity to reconnect and strengthen family bonds if they live far apart. Or, if family relationships are strained, perhaps differences can be temporarily put aside. Plus members of one or both families have a chance to join in a sense of purpose or if they need to have a reason for being together, now they do. While many new dads can experience this event in emotionally healthy ways there may be times when a new father  struggles with emotionally adjusting to his new role and  the changes that can happen in the relationship. Finding time alone can be difficult and  having sex may be the last thing on the new mom&#8217;s mind.  I During the pregnancy a new father naturally begins to emotionally bond with the fetus. He starts to imagine himself as a father and the concept of being “dad” gradually takes shape in his mind. While this can be easy and fun to do, some new dads can struggle adapting to this change. For a few others, bonding with the fetus can be a deep psychological struggle. One example of how this could happen would be if the new dad’s father left the family early in his life. Since he did not have the experience of bonding with his father, now there’s no loving male role model for him to call upon in his mind. Among his many possible struggles, he may lose his self-confidence about his new responsibility and be left with only a wish that he could attach to the baby when it arrives. If his partner sensed his struggle, depending on the strength of their relationship there could be an exchange of warm understanding and support or ongoing conflict. Some new dads can begin to physically withdraw from their partner and from the families during [&#8230;]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>https://www.better-relationships.com/new-fathers-emotions/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
