63% of Parents Struggle with This Emotion From Their Kids

TOP OF MIND

Your anger is very confusing to me!!!
New research from a national poll has revealed parents don't know what to do when their child gets angry. 63% of parents admitted they only "somewhat agree" they know how to help their children manage anger.

And 54% agree that at times, they set a bad example on how to effectively manage anger. Meanwhile, 43% of parents of boys say their child faced negative consequences from anger, like harming themselves, others, or struggling at school or with friends.

So what's going on, and how can we help?

The important bits
First of all, we should make it clear that anger is a normal emotion. It's impossible to live your life and not feel anger, especially if you have to drive in traffic, go to the grocery store on a Sunday, or really just have any interaction with another human on a consistent basis.

The important part is how you manage the anger, and that's what we should be focusing on when it comes to our children.

Experts say you should normalize feelings of anger by having conversations about it. You can even take the lead by saying something like, "I felt frustrated earlier, but I’m working on handling it better."

This includes providing space for your child to discuss how they're feeling by acknowledging their emotions. It can be as simple as asking your child what's making them angry. 

More tips here.

What's it all mean?
Anger isn't the problem. It's all in how you manage it. After all, it's a powerful emotion. In fact, new research shows babies know when you're angry and will change their own behavior to appease you. More on that here.

DID YOU HEAR

🥛 First confirmed bird flu case in a U.S. child
It looks like the turkeys are fighting back this year. Health officials in California have confirmed the first U.S. bird flu case in a child. The child lives in San Francisco and is thankfully only having mild symptoms. However, health officials are on high alert because the child had no known contact with an infected animal. In total, 53 people have been infected this year. All but one had a known exposure. Oh, and by the way, bird flu was detected in raw milk being sold in California.

🤸 American children are failing physical activity
The U.S. report card on physical activity for children recently dropped, and it showed that most kids are D students. Collectively, they scored a D- for physical activity. Only around 25% of kids ages 6-17 get enough exercise, which is super concerning because those are the ages where getting enough exercise should be the easiest! What's the problem? Screens.

🚔 Mom arrested for letting her kid walk home alone
A mother in Georgia claims she was arrested in front of her children for allowing her 10-year-old son to walk home alone. Apparently, her son went on a slight detour and had ventured a little less than a mile away into town. He was stopped by an officer, and well, the rest is history. The mom is now facing child endangerment-related charges, but she's fighting back, and it looks like she's winning.

🦃 Should you eat before Thanksgiving dinner?
As we all prepare to feast in just two days, some people are wondering if it's best to skip breakfast and lunch before Thanksgiving dinner. It sounds like a decent plan, considering you'll be eating at least five pounds of mashed potatoes later in the day. But according to a few dietitians, you should most definitely eat before dinner. Here's why.

🫣 Kids say the creepiest things
Parents are sharing the creepiest things their kids have said, and uh... we're scared! Click at your own risk!

A DOSE OF GOOD

THE ULTIMATE GIFT GIVING GUIDE

Ready or not, the gift-giving season is here. Cyber Week is in full swing, and you're probably a little overwhelmed with all the emails and texts you're getting.

We're here to help by giving you our curated list of super cool gifts for all ages!

For ages 6 and under:
Droyd Romper Electric Trike Powered Ride-On: The traditional big-wheel trike just got a major upgrade, thanks to e-bike company Droyd. This is the first big-wheel powered by a rechargeable battery. It features a slow-start function for added safety and max speeds of either 3 or 6 mph. Your kid will love you.

Mega Bloks: You can never go wrong with putting Mega Bloks under the Christmas tree. This 70-piece set is currently 17% off on Amazon.

Changeable Child Artwork Picture Frames: Okay, so this gift might be more for you than your kid, but it's one of our favorites. Instead of covering your fridge with artwork from your kids, you can proudly display them in a proper frame on the wall. Best of all, the frame has a storage unit, capable of holding at least 50 pieces of paper. 

For ages 13 and under:
Buddha Board Art Set: Teach your kids to live in the moment with The Buddha Board. It's easy to set up in under a minute—just fill the reservoir with water, dip the bamboo brush, and start painting. The image fades away after a few seconds, letting your young artist create again and again.

Fujifilm Instax Mini: Chances are, your kid has probably already asked for this. They've been a hot item for years now. It's a great choice for beginner photographers, or for kids just wanting to capture fun moments. It comes with everything you need: the camera, a pocket-sized photo album, batteries, and 40 sheets of film.

LEGO Pac Man Arcade: Want to recreate your own childhood with your kid? This 10,323-piece retro PAC-Man Arcade kit is the perfect gift. It's a little expensive, but we think it's worth it for the LEGO fan in your life. It has a four-way joystick, light-up coin slot, adjustable game-score display, spinning game characters, and a mechanical maze that mimics the chase between PAC-Man. Blinky, and Clyde.

Drunk Elephant Travel Kit: If you have a tween who is obsessed with skin care, chances are they'll freak out if they spot this Drunk Elephant travel-friendly kit under the tree. It includes six travel-friendly sizes of the brand’s bestsellers—like a brightening moisturizer, makeup remover, and gentle exfoliator.

For you, the parent:
Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee and Espresso Machine: If you need caffeine to survive the day, this Nespresso machine is the perfect gift. It's currently 35% off for Black Friday, so we would recommend getting it now. It's a steal at $110.

Hydroponics Growing System Indoor Garden: Want to try your hand at growing fresh herbs or veggies? This kit features an LED grow light and quiet pump, perfect for any spot in your house. It's over 40% off right now!

We're Not Really Strangers Family Edition: This card game is really for the whole family. In fact, we recommend opening it on Christmas Eve, so you can all play together! Designed to spark deep conversations and lots of laughter. For just $20, it's so worth it.

Also, fyi... Target has some great Black Friday deals right now. Up to 30% off baby gear, up to 40% off kids clothes, and up to 50% off toys!

BITES WITH KIYAH

The holidays are here, and that often means sharing meals with extended family—and navigating the comments, questions, or critiques that can come with them. Whether it’s someone questioning your food choices or pushing their own traditions, these moments can feel frustrating. There's no shortage of experts offering scripts you can use to defend your position, but here's my hot take: Don't.

Here's my argument for what to do instead.

HERE’S A QUESTION

A mom's TikTok video went viral, receiving over 30,000 comments, after she made the claim that the parking spot next to the cart return is for mothers only.

"If you’re shopping and this spot is open, that’s not for you. That’s for a mom with their kids that needs to come and unload right next to the cart drop," she says in the video.

Last week, we asked if you thought a father went too far when he told his daughter she may have killed their dog. 57% of you answered, "Yikes! He dropped the ball here!" while 20% answered, "Not what I would have said, but I don't see the big deal."