Happy Friday,

I hope everyone had a great week. I want to give a special shoutout to our friend, Alex, and congratulate him on the birth of his daughter. Out of all of my nearest and dearest friends, I think 90% of us are #girldads and I absolutely love it.

Have a great weekend, we’ll see you next week!

Trending Stories & Insights

• Digital habits: A new study based of the digital media habits of over 400,000 families and schools worldwide, found that children ages 4 through 18 spent a global average of 112 minutes daily on TikTok in 2023, an increase from 107 minutes from the previous year. Although YouTube remains the world’s biggest streaming app among this demographic, kids spent 60% more time on TikTok last year 

• Brotherly love: In an act of kindness, a custodian and single father at Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station, immediately went and sanitized a stall in the men’s bathroom after seeing a man struggling with his daughter, who had to use the restroom, due to it’s lack of cleanliness. When asked, he said “It's not the first time I've done that. I like helping other parents. We gotta have each other’s backs, you know?"

• Co-regulation: How this became one of the most recent parenting buzzwords, and why experts believe that maintaining an infectious state of calm is the single goal from which all other family aspirations can flow

Tip of the Day

• Perfectionism: Perfectionist children are typically extremely self-critical and likely suffer anxiety over the possibility of making any mistake in any aspect of their lives. This psychologists methodology can serve as a solution to help their children have less anxiety over potential mistakes

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One Big Idea

Scaffold Parenting

In writing a parenting newsletter multiple times a week, I’ve come across dozens of new parenting theories and styles. However, I’ve only recently learned about one of the most timeless approaches, Scaffold Parenting. Rooted in the early 20th-century work of psychologist Lev Vygotsky, Scaffold Parenting is not just another fleeting trend. It's a thoughtful method that complements authoritative parenting, by focusing on guiding and supporting children through their learning processes. This approach involves providing situational support, allowing children to make and learn from mistakes, and aiding them in the reflection process. Scaffolding can be thought of as analogous to building construction: it helps children achieve greater heights, builds a strong foundation, and cultivates virtues in their lives.

Scaffold Parenting is based on five key characteristics: empathy, validation, intervention, structure, and encouragement. Empathy involves understanding and supporting children, especially when they make mistakes. Validation celebrates successes and acknowledges efforts, fostering self-confidence and resilience. Intervention is not about solving problems for children but collaborating with them to find solutions. Structure, provided through regular schedules and routines, offers security and independence. Finally, encouragement helps children recover from setbacks, building confidence even when they doubt themselves. Together, these 5 key elements not only foster independence, intelligence, and curiosity in children but also represent an opportunity for parents to grow alongside their kids.

How can I use scaffolding today?

1. Practice Empathy in Daily Interactions: Start by actively listening to your child, especially when they face challenges or make mistakes. Show understanding and support, communicating that it’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them. This builds a trusting relationship where your child feels safe to explore and grow.

2. Implement Structured Routines: Create a consistent daily schedule that your child can understand and follow. These can help to establish daily rhythms and decrease a child’s anxiety by letting them know what to expect.

3. Encourage and Validate Effort: Make a conscious effort to celebrate your child's successes, no matter how small, and acknowledge their efforts even in failure. This will help to reinforce their self-esteem and motivate them to carry on in the face of challenges. Remember, your belief in your kids can be a powerful tool for growth and resilience.

Here’s a dad joke

Why did my dad put a measuring tape on my bed?

Scroll to the bottom of the newsletter for the answer!

Time(out) for Memes