According to the National Resources Defense Council, Americans are 4% of the world’s population but generate 12% of its solid waste. Parents are conscious of their families’ contribution to this literal trash heap.
Tag: parenting
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Awkward conversation: How to talk to your kids about online pornography
No parent wants to talk about pornography with their child. No child wants to talk about porn with their parents. These are facts.
Yet John Van Arnam of Black Mountain has taken the Sisyphean task of making sure these conversations occur. Children’s mental and physical health depend on it, he says.
Letter: It’s in our hands to transform schools and values
“Schools will not change until we develop a revolutionary, nonviolent transformation of our cultural values. In other words, education is not a single, standalone issue.”
The hardest choice: Local woman shares experience of abortion at 16 weeks
The reproductive landscape in America vastly changed on June 24 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Dobbs v. Jackson that abortion is not a right under the Constitution.
How might abortion restrictions impact child welfare in WNC?
WNC retains abortion access through Planned Parenthood’s Asheville Health Center, the region’s sole provider of the procedure. What is less clear, at least at this moment, is how restrictions on abortion will impact the area’s child welfare system.
Author Beth Berry teases out the myths around motherhood
In her recently released debut book, Motherwhelmed: Challenging Norms, Untangling Truths, and Restoring Our Worth to the World, Berry — mother of four daughters, ages 12, 15, 19 and 25 — examines the stressful state of modern motherhood and how an unsupportive culture keeps mothers from thriving.
Parenting in the age of social distancing
“I slowed my pace, and after I stopped nagging — I mean, yapping — we all felt more relaxed.”
Family harmony: Local practitioners launch new book on parenting
Family counselors Dayna and Jim Guido will be joined by their son, Lucio, for a book celebration and signing event at Malaprop’s Bookstore and Cafe at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21. Developing The Parental Toolbox turned into a family project that’s yielding a website, podcast, e-book and audiobook in addition to the print edition.
Asheville professionals teach empathic discourse for uncertain times
In an increasingly divisive and violent world, many Ashevilleans are seeking a gentler and more compassionate way to communicate. Nonviolent, or compassionate, communication, practiced by several local helping professionals, emphasizes empathy and honest self-expression in building authentic relationships.
Is adoption an option?
“As a mom, I now know firsthand that adoption is amazing, overwhelming — and definitely possible.”
Rainbow Table: Dining together
Research indicates a range of benefits from dining together as a family, including increased consumption of healthy foods, lower rates of obesity and a decreased likelihood of substance abuse, teen pregnancy, depression and eating disorders. In addition, family dining has been shown to increase vocabulary, raise self-esteem, increase grade-point averages and foster family relationships. All this in one hour a day!
With love: YWCA MotherLove program helps pregnant and parenting teens, seeks mentors
At 14 years old, Svetlana Contreras found out her life was about to become more complicated than any homework assignment she could ever receive as a student at A.C. Reynolds high school: She was going to be a mother. But for Contreras, she had help taking on these new responsibilities when she signed up for the Asheville YWCA’s MotherLove program. (Photo of MotherLove director Tangela Bowman, top, and Svetlana Contreras)
Edgy Mama: Fifty Shades of Abuse
I recently read the bestselling book in the world. Afterwards, I felt the need for a shower. My first reaction to Fifty Shades of Grey was, “I can’t believe such poorly-written drivel has garnered an international audience.” My second reaction was, “Oh my God, how do I keep my daughter from reading this kind of pornographic drivel?”
Edgy Mama: taking the kids to local swim spots *Updated, with correction*
Western North Carolina is rich with water — rivers, lakes and creeks abound. Given the recent heat wave, that’s a lucky thing. While I know of some secret spots that I’m not sharing (sorry), here are some fun places for you and your kids to get wet, cool off, and enjoy the beauty of our region. [Note: The original story misstated some of the entry prices for Lake Powhatan and North Mills River. The correct prices are included in this post.]
Edgy Mama: Summer time for teens: get to work, kids, if you can find a job
In the past decade, the number of working teens has decreased by more than 40 percent. It’s damned difficult to find a job, even a part-time one, if you’re young and inexperienced and a hormonal mess.
Edgy Mama: mommy wish list
Every mom should have one.
Edgy Mama: stuff that’s freaking me out
Some days I wish I didn’t have kids. Because if that were the case, I wouldn’t spend nearly as much time worrying about the future as I do.
Edgy Mama: Child Abuse Prevention month breaks out the blue
In truth, I’d rather not write about child abuse, even from a prevention point of view, because it’s something I’d rather not think about. But not wanting to think or talk about a thing, unfortunately, doesn’t make it go away.
Edgy Mama: an open letter to your kids, from me
Dear kids, I know you all wonder what happens after you go to bed at night …
Edgy Mama: Thoughts on my divorce
Some of you may have noticed that I haven’t mentioned Enviro-spouse in a while. That’s not because he’s no longer part of my life — in fact, he’s still a huge part of my life. Although we now live in separate houses.
From scarred souls to Smartboards
Not that we’re competitive or anything, but my husband and I love to play a macabre little game that could be titled: “Whose Backwoods Elementary School Inflicted the Greater Amount of Physical and Emotional Damage?”