You Need a Hobby

Plus, Let’s Put the Fun Back in Failure [Fatherly_Seahorse]( Mess-ups. Mistakes. Blunders. Whiffs. Screw-ups. Failures. We all experience them in various forms. The big. The small. The duh why did I do that? Deep down we know that learning from our failures is fundamental to success — it’s how we become better partners, better parents, better bosses, better people. But learning from big failure also means sitting uncomfortably with our mistakes to better understand what happened. That’s never easy, because facing failure requires us to confront things that can feel demeaning, embarrassing, and shameful. That’s why it’s vital to reframe failure — and, as one writer suggests, find low-stakes hobbies where messing up doesn’t matter. SELF [17Article1]( [How Failing at Things Can Help You Succeed as a Parent (And in Life)]( It can be hard to step away from life’s big roles to learn a new hobby or skill. [But becoming a beginner again has huge benefits.]( [READ THE STORY]( [bottomquote-psd] We’re paid to succeed. We’re judged on our successes. We’re promoted on our successes. We’re rewarded for successes, and we’re penalized for failure. It’s a difficult topic. [bottomquote-psd] — Dr. Laurence Weinzimmer [on the stigma behind failure and the importance of reframing mistakes.]( FURTHER READING - [How to Forgive Yourself]( - ​​​​​[The Secret to Talking to Kids About Mistakes]( - [16 Dads on Their Biggest Parenting Regrets]( ​​​ TALKIN' POPS [17Article2]( [Denzel Washington Has a Warning for Parents: “You’re Never Done”]( The Oscar-winner talks 'Macbeth,' why parenting never ends, [and the thin line between comedy and tragedy.]( [READ THE STORY]( HEALTH AND SCIENCE [17Article3]( [Insurance Will Cover 8 At-Home COVID Tests a Month. Here’s How It’ll Work]( The new policy is incentivizing insurance companies [to make it as barrier-free as possible.]( [READ THE STORY]( TIPS AND TRICKS How to Calm a Child for a COVID Swab COVID rapid test swabs are only available in one size, which is awful for kids who have, you guessed it, kid-sized nostrils. So, although your child’s instinct to run when you bring out the nasal swab may be understandable, it’s critical for sample collection and safety to keep their head stable during testing. Try harnessing the power of co-regulation by encouraging your child to breathe deeply with you and count out loud as you swab their nasal passages. Make sure items they use for self-soothing, such as a blanket or stuffed animal, are close at hand. Christina Johns, MD, a pediatrician & senior medical advisor at PM Pediatrics encourages kids to stand up against a wall as you swab their nose. “That way they can’t pull or tilt their head back,” she says. And although restraint might be necessary, she notes that positive reinforcement can motivate kids to sit still and help them recover more quickly following a swab. “This is the time for fun, positive rewards when the task is complete: special time with a parent, or a sweet treat,” she says. “Any positive incentive to help make the process more palatable is worth it.” [Here’s some more COVID testing advice to keep in mind.]( TRAVEL [16Article3]( [The Best Ski Resorts for Families]( To raise a little ripper — and shred some pow yourself — you need to find the resort that meets the needs of the whole family. [Look no further.]( [READ THE STORY]( TALK TO US Have a question? Comment? Want to tell us a no-good terrible story? Or a helpful parenting tip? We want to hear from you (and yes, we may publish your response in an article or forthcoming newsletter). Send your thoughts to [hello@fatherly.com](mailto:hello@fatherly.com?subject=Fatherly%20Newsletter%20Feedback). [FATHERLY_LOGO]( [FB]( [IG]( [Twitter]( [View this email in your browser]( 315 Park Ave. South New York, NY 10010 You can [manage your preferences or unsubscribe]( here. Copyright © 2022 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. [Link](