Parenting Advisor - Online Parenting Programs

Iowa has a new option for resolving certain family law disputes. On July 1, 2026, Iowa's Uniform Family Law Arbitration Act took effect. The new law creates a framework for resolving certain family law disputes through arbitration instead of traditional litigation. If you're going through a divorce or custody case in Iowa, you may be wondering: What does this actually mean for me? Here's the simple version. First, what is family law arbitration? Arbitration is a process in which the parties agree to have a qualified neutral person (called an arbitrator) decide certain disputes. Instead of presenting the dispute through a traditional court trial, the parties present their case to the arbitrator under the procedures...

If you are going through a divorce, separation, or custody case in Iowa, you may have heard that the state's child support guidelines changed this year. The new Iowa Child Support Guidelines took effect January 1, 2026, following the Iowa Supreme Court's required review of the guidelines. The changes affect how child support is calculated, including the treatment of child care expenses, medical support, and the basic support schedule. Here's a simple look at what Iowa parents should know. What changed? The Iowa Supreme Court updated several parts of the state's child support guidelines. The most notable changes include: A new Schedule of Basic Support ObligationsA new way of handling child care expensesAn updated Medical...

For busy parents with anxiety who keep the household running while feeling chronically on edge, the hardest part is that worry can look like responsibility. The core tension is wanting to protect children’s emotional well-being while parental anxiety impact quietly shapes tone, routines, and the way kids read everyday situations. Because children track a parent’s cues, even subtle anxiety effects can teach them what to fear, how to interpret uncertainty, and whether feelings are safe to show. Recognizing these ripple effects is the first step toward steadier family mental health. Understanding How Worry Spreads in Families Parental anxiety doesn’t always look like panic. It can show up as constant checking, over-planning,...

For busy parents juggling work schedules, caregiving, and household logistics, parenting stress management can feel like a nonstop emergency response. The core tension is simple: the emotional load keeps growing while work-life balance in parenting keeps shrinking, and that pressure fuels real parental burnout challenges like irritability, numbness, and constant guilt. Mental and emotional wellness for parents matters because kids don’t just need care, they need a steady presence, even on hard days. Naming what drains parents most is the first step toward building emotional resilience in families. Understanding Adaptive, Creative Self-Care When the usual tips don’t work, creative self-care means choosing small, realistic...

From school supplies to homework routines, one conversation before the first day of school can help reduce conflict, improve communication, and give your child the consistency they need to thrive. A New School Year Is a Fresh Start The start of a new school year is exciting, but for children in two households, it can also bring uncertainty. New teachers, new routines, new schedules, and new expectations are easier to navigate when both parents are working toward the same goal: creating stability for their child. The good news? You don't have to agree on everything to give your child a successful school year. Before the first day of school, take time to have one important co-parenting conversation. It doesn't need to be long or...

For busy parents juggling work-life balance and childcare, busy family schedules can quietly become the default, until everything feels urgent and nothing feels settled. When children’s extracurricular activities stack up, the first things to disappear are recovery time, unstructured play, and the small moments that make family time management feel possible. The tension is real: families want opportunities and structure, but overscheduling often leaves kids with less capacity for children’s productivity and rest, and parents with more coordinating than connecting. Naming these warning signs early helps protect calm, consistency, and family time. Build a Balanced Plan: Prioritize, Cap Activities, and Protect Downtime When the...

When a wildfire threatens your community, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. Between evacuations, poor air quality, school closures, and uncertainty about what’s next, emotions can run high for everyone. For co-parents, these challenges can become even more complicated when parenting schedules, communication, and decision-making are disrupted. While you may not be able to control the situation around you, you can help your child feel safe by working together and focusing on what matters most. Put Your Child’s Safety First If conditions change quickly, be prepared to adjust parenting schedules as needed. Temporary flexibility may be necessary if evacuation orders, road closures, or hazardous air quality make travel...

Parents of school-age children often sense when something is off: a child who works hard yet falls behind, or a child who finishes assignments quickly but still feels underfed by the day. Learning difficulties can look like confusion, avoidance, or constant frustration, and the usual classroom routines don’t always leave room for the pace or support a child needs. At the same time, expanding knowledge beyond the classroom can feel intimidating when parents are already managing full schedules and mixed messages about what “help” should be. With the right kind of support for struggling learners, child education challenges become clearer and more manageable. Quick Summary: Supporting Learning at Home Create a supportive home...

For new parents heading into the postpartum period, especially those managing recovery, feeding plans, and older kids, the hardest part often isn’t the baby gear, it’s the daily logistics at home. Newborn care challenges can turn simple needs like food, sleep, and hygiene into constant decision-making, and that pressure quickly expands family support needs. Postpartum home preparation is about reducing friction so the household can function when energy and attention are limited. A few thoughtful choices now can strengthen postpartum home readiness when the days feel tight. Quick Postpartum Home Prep Checklist Stock postpartum safety essentials to support recovery and reduce unnecessary stress.Prepare freezer meals ahead of time...

The single parent experience can be difficult as maintaining discipline and routines while staying on top of finances leaves you with little to no time for rest. But taking care of a child while looking after a sick or aging parent comes with a different set of challenges, and balancing the needs of two generations can be emotionally taxing. Many dual-role caregivers, also known as the Sandwich Generation, experience guilt as they feel that they provide inadequate support and attention to both their parent and child. Studies also show that sandwich caregivers are at risk of developing mental health problems as they're more likely to experience emotional distress and burnout.  The pressure to keep it all together and be the perfect...