Featured Archives - Page 16 of 18

What to Look for in a Home Paternity Test

by HOMEDNA on 05/16/2016

We’re currently experiencing a DNA test boom in the United States and all around the world! As technology improves and demand increases, more and more DNA kits are showing up on store shelves: tests for ancestry, tests for health, traits, and even fitness. So how do you know which are the best ones? Do your research!

Probably the most potentially life-changing DNA test on the market is the home patenrity test. It wasn’t that long ago that you had to go to a doctor or clinic to do this type of testing-whether you needed results for court or just your own peace of mind- and it cost hundreds of dollars. Now you can get paternity info for an affordable price. A paternity test is important and life-changing because results can affect relationships at a deep level, with long-lasting consequences for children and entire families. So it’s important to choose wisely – here are some things to look for.

Tips for Choosing a Home Paternity Test

Easy: The idea of taking a paternity test is stressful enough-you don’t need it to be compounded by complicated procedures. The kit (and the website for the lab) should have clear instructions on how to collect the DNA correctly the first time so that there won’t be delays in the testing process later on down the line.

Fast: Waiting a long time for the results of any type of test is the worst, isn’t it? A good paternity test lab provides options for you so you can get your report as quickly as possible. At the minimum, you should get results posted in two (2) days or less after samples arrive at the lab.

Accurate: You have to be able to trust that your home paternity test results are accurate. You just do. The best indicator that you’re likely to get accurate results is to choose a highly-accredited DNA lab. This type of lab maintains strict standards for handling samples and testing, and is regularly audited by outside regulatory agencies to ensure it is in compliance with or exceed industry-accepted standards. Not all companies who sell paternity test services are accredited, so be sure to check for accreditation information on the box and/or website.

Confidential: For most people, getting a paternity test is an intensely private family experience and not something they want publicized. It’s important to find a home paternity test lab for which confidentiality and security are high priorities. Customers should have access to a secure online account where they can get updates on their test and where their results report is posted. And customer service representatives should require proof of identification before releasing any info over the phone or in print.

Affordable: For a simple paternity test (one possible father+ one child + the mother), the cost should be less than $200 total, including the lab fee and retail price of the kit. There are labs that charge hundreds of dollars for this type of paternity testing, yet the processes are identical to the ones for more affordable at-home tests.

Options: There are times when a possible father is not available for testing. A good DNA testing lab also offers family reconstruction testing to help determine paternity or family relationships testing other family members. This type of test costs more due to the more extensive analysis required, but it should definitely be an option.

Great Reviews: Every lab is going to say they’re the greatest and the best, but don’t take their word for it. Read reviews by real customers and learn first-hand about their experiences. Not all reviews are going to be positive, but for a good lab, the positive reviews will far outweigh the number of negative ones and the lab will respond thoughtfully to customer concerns.

Do You Need Court-admissible Paternity Test Results?

A critical thing to remember is that-no matter which test you choose-results for a home paternity test are generally not court-admissible. So if you need a test for legal purposes (child support/custody/immigration/inheritance rights), it is critical that you contact the lab of your choice directly before doing the test so that they can make arrangements to have DNA collections witnessed.

IDENTIGENE DNA Paternity Test

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! If you have questions about paternity tests or other DNA testing services, please contact our Client Support Center at 888-404-4363, Mon-Fri from 9 AM to 6 PM Eastern Time. Our friendly, expert representatives are ready and happy to help. Get answers anytime by visiting our Help Center.

4 Things Every Child Deserves

by HOMEDNA on 04/18/2016

What Does a Child Deserve?

Parents have struggled with this question for eons. Unlike other mammals, a human child takes a very long time to grow up and become self-sufficient, and therefore needs’t’t long-term help from the adults responsible for them.

So what does a child deserve? There isn’t a parent out there who doesn’t agree that every child deserves a roof over their head, clothes to wear, and food to eat. These are absolute needs versus the ‘wants’ that children usually request from us. Nearly all American parents would add education to this list of basics. But is there anything else that a child deserves from his parents as he or she grows up?

As a top paternity test lab we hear a lot of personal stories from our customers, so here are some suggestions for what a child deserves that come largely from listening to them.

1. To Trust and Be Trusted

Does your child trust you? A 2012 study by the University of Minnesota determined that children as young as preschool age use the same characteristics that a rational adult would use when judging the reliability of an information source (Koenig). Parents mistakenly believe that their children will believe whatever they say just by virtue of the fact that they are their parents. But this study disproves that.

Just as children have to earn their parents’ trust, so do parents need to be the people their children can trust most. Why is this so important? Parenting Counseling Specialist Bonnie Harris puts it beautifully: ‘Children resist with all their might when they think we are against them-when we criticize, blame, threaten, lecture-when they don’t trust that we understand and accept them. To find their way, they need to trust us to trust them.’ When mutual trust is experienced by children as they grow, it positively affects all future relationships.

2. To Love and Be Loved

This is a no-brainer, right? Well, it’s not as simple as it seems: The effects of lack of warmth and real parental affection early on in a child’s life are life-long. Psychology Today reports the following: A UCLA study suggests that a loving parental figure may alter neural circuits in children and this could influence health throughout a lifespan. On the flip side, the negative impact of childhood abuse or lack of parental affection take a mental and physical toll can also last a lifetime. Childhood neglect increases adult risk for morbidity and mortality (Bergland).

Children deserve to be showered with loving kindness from the people they trust the most-their parents. It’s one of the essential components of happiness, and they will pay it forward with their own children and grandchildren someday.

3. To Be Forgiven for Wrongs

Children are just small people learning how to become adults. They don’t deserve to be treated as adults, nor do they have the capacity to think as grown-ups yet, but parents should remember that children are not little robots-they are going to have good days and bad days; they have feelings of sadness when sad things happen, just like their parents (those feelings just may manifest themselves differently); they are going to forget things; they are going to be thoughtless. The list goes on and on . . .

Parents need to forgive their children for their unpleasant behaviors, just as we would want to be forgiven for our own. To be given a clean slate by those they trust and love the most makes it less likely for a child to beat themselves up so quickly both when they are young and when they’re adults. Forgiveness is a gift.

4. To Belong to a Tribe

Many customers who contact us about getting a paternity test and finding their own fathers are well into adulthood-in their 30s, 40s, and even 50s. Why is the pull so strong to find out who their biological father is? If the customer had a father figure who helped raise them, they are almost always appreciative of everything the man did for them. But still, the pull is strong to know the truth.

Every one of us craves wanting to be part of something bigger than ourselves-to be part of a family or community. Without that support, we may feel depressed, spiritually disconnected or even sick (Rankin).

Family is a child’s first tribe. Later, they branch off to school friends, a spouse’s relatives, work friends, church, town, and so forth. But first comes family. Children deserve to know their biological roots and all that comes with it: health history, heritage, culture. There are many benefits to a paternity test, but just knowing the truth and knowing where you came from and where you belong are two of the most important ones.

The Bottom Line

As parents, we all want what’s best for our children. You don’t have to have a lot of money, power, or a big house to give them what they need most. But interestingly, each of the needs mentioned above is not enough on its own. Trust. Love. Forgiveness. Tribe. They’re all intertwined and necessary. If a paternity test is an option that can help satisfy the tribe need-either for you or your child-you know best when to bring the subject up and pursue it.

What do you think? Would you add more to this list? Tell us in the comments.

Sources

Bergland, Christopher. “Parental Warmth Is Crucial for a Child’s Well-Being.”Psychology Today. Sussex Publishers, LLC., 4 Oct. 2013. Web. 14 Apr. 2016. <http%3A%2F%2Fwww.psychologytoday.com%2Fblog%2Fthe-athletes-way%2F201310%2Fparental-warmth-is-crucial-child-s-well-being>.

Harris, Bonnie. “Trust Your Children More; Teach Them Less – Bonnie Harris | Parenting Blog | Connective Parenting.” Bonnie Harris Parenting Blog Connective Parenting. Connective Parenting, 08 Feb. 2013. Web. 14 Apr. 2016. <http://bonnieharris.com/trust-your-children-more-teach-them-less/>.

Koenig, Melissa. “Learning and Trust Ã¢””š Education and Human Development.” CEHD Vision 2020. Regents of the University of Minnesota, 12 Oct. 2012. Web. 14 Apr. 2016. <http://cehdvision2020.umn.edu/cehd-blog/learning-and-trust/>.

Rankin, Dr. Lissa. “The Health Benefits of Finding Your Tribe.” Positively Positive. Positively Positive, LLC., 18 July 2013. Web. 14 Apr. 2016. <http://www.positivelypositive.com/2013/07/18/the-health-benefits-of-finding-your-tribe/>.

The 5 Greatest Gifts a Family Can Give a Child

by HOMEDNA on 12/21/2015

It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. ~Dr. Seuss (from How the Grinch Stole Christmas)

Can your kids remember what they got under the tree last year? Probably not! It’s the time of year when kids are making their gift lists and checking them twice, but it’s been said over and over that the very best gifts don’t come in a box…they come from the heart. Make it a family tradition each year to focus on these gifts of the heart, and you’ll help create not only memories to last a lifetime, but also lay a solid foundation for generations to come.

Families come in all shapes, sizes and types: Two-parent homes, grandparents raising children, single-parent homes and more. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa—or nothing at all—here are the 5 greatest gifts any type of family can give a child this holiday season.

1. A Family Gift of TIME

Let’s face it—our lives are busy, and if we’re not careful we allow them to get even busier around the holidays! Make a conscious effort to S.L.O.W down a little and give more time to the most important thing in life: your child. What can this look like during the holidays?

Make dinner at home and eat it around the table together every day for a week. Let your child help decide the menu and spend time assisting you in preparing the meals too! The time spent together is priceless.
Eliminate electronic distractions at mealtimes so that real conversation can take place. If necessary, put cell phones in a basket before sitting down to eat.
Ask your small child what’s on their mind when you tuck them into bed at night. They’ll have sweeter dreams knowing you cared enough to ask about their life and you’ll also be establishing a closer relationship.

2. A Family Gift of GIVING

It’s natural for a child to focus on GETTING, but you can help them become less self-centered and more empathetic of others by helping them learn the joys of GIVING. What can this look like during the holidays?

Be someone’s ‘Secret Santa.’ Together, leave small, inexpensive gifts by someone’s door for a week. Your child will be delighted at the joy he’s giving to someone else, and it’s made even sweeter because it’s a secret.
Give to those in need. Even if you don’t have a lot of money, someone else is struggling more. Have your child select one of their toys to give to someone else or donate a few cans of food to the food bank.
Make something homemade for someone. It could be cookies or a hand-drawn card created with crayons. Your child will love giving something they’ve made by hand.

3. A Family Gift of READING

Experts agree that reading aloud is a gift for children that keeps on giving throughout their entire lives. It’s never too early to start, and even teens benefit from this activity. Parents who read out loud to their children build kids’ vocabulary, expand their background knowledge and create a lasting bond. The act of reading to a child also helps them associate books and learning with something positive, which helps them in school all year long (Gentry). What can this look like during the holidays?

Visit the library and choose age-appropriate holiday-themed books to read together.
Set aside a half-hour every day to read aloud. If you stick to the same time every day, you’re more likely not to forget.
Don’t stop talking once the book is finished. Ask your child’s opinion about the book and let them ask questions too.

CLICK HERE for holiday reading ideas

What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more. ~Dr. Seuss (from How the Grinch Stole Christmas)

4. A Family Gift of FUN

It’s important not to get so caught up in the ‘must-do’s’ of the holidays that we forget to have fun with our kids. Sometimes you gotta let whatever it is you ‘have to do’ wait, seize the moment, and just let loose. What can this look like during the holidays?

Did it just snow where you live? Get out there with your child and have a snowball fight!
Make ‘fun’ a holiday tradition your child looks forward to every year. For example, if there’s snow, always go sledding on New Year’s Day.
Play silly holiday songs while you’re running errands in the car and encourage your child to sing along with you.

CLICK HERE for silly holiday song ideas

5. A Family Gift of HERITAGE

One of the greatest gifts you can give a child is knowledge of where he or she came from and that they are an essential asset to the family group. A healthy family provides a secure environment for growth and learning, and children benefit from a sense of ‘we-ness’ (Alderfer). What can this look like during the holidays?

Show old photographs of their ancestors who’ve passed on and tell them their stories, if you know them.
Express their importance in your life and how they are a central part of your family. They need to hear this, and often.
If you have any doubts about a child’s paternity, get those questions answered for their sake by doing a paternity test. Someday, if not now, they will want to know the truth and this knowledge can strengthen families. If it’s healthy, they can develop a fatherhood relationship, enjoy a new source of support, and create lifetime bonds.

Do you have ideas for the greatest gifts a family can give a child? Tell us in the comments!

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! If you have questions about paternity tests or other DNA testing services, please contact our Client Support Center at 888-404-4363, Mon-Fri from 8:30AM to 5:30 PM Eastern Time. Our friendly, expert representatives are ready and happy to help. Get answers anytime by visiting our Help Center.

Resources

Alderfer, Charleen. “Roots and Wings.” Psych Central. Psych Central, n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2015. <http://psychcentral.com/lib/roots-and-wings/>.

Emmons, Sasha. “Best Christmas and Holiday Books for Kids.” Parenting. Meredith Corporation, n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2015. <http://www.parenting.com/gallery/best-christmas-books-kids>.

Gentry, J. Richard, PhD. “The Do’s and Don’ts for Family Reading.” Psychology Today. Psychology Today, 26 Oct. 2015. Web. 16 Dec. 2015. <http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/raising-readers-writers-and-spellers/201510/the-do-s-and-don-ts-family-reading>.

“Top Funny Christmas Songs – Top Humorous Christmas Songs.” Top Funny Christmas Songs – Top Humorous Christmas Songs. Music Outfitters, Inc., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2015. <http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/top-funny-christmas-songs.htm>.