There are no rules governing the way the NFL presents baby pictures and videos, but NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and his peers do have some guidance.
Here’s what the league needs to do. 1.
Be honest.
In the age of social media, it is important to be honest about what you are doing with your baby.
It is not OK to put yourself in a situation where you have to share something you think is inappropriate.
In some instances, it might be appropriate to put something in a way that makes it clear to others that you are in no way a caregiver or parent.
Goodell, in his first interview with NFL Network, said: The NFL has very strict guidelines on how we do things with our baby.
They don’t talk about it.
We don’t discuss it.
The only way to understand how it feels to be a parent or parent-to-be is to have an honest conversation with yourself and your partner.
2.
Have an open dialogue.
It’s important to have conversations with your partner and child to understand their needs, their preferences and their concerns.
Don’t force anything.
This might sound counterintuitive, but it is absolutely necessary.
You want to talk to your child and be honest with him.
You also want to be sure you’re communicating your feelings about the situation and the child.
3.
Take responsibility.
Goodell said the best way to do this is to “keep it simple.”
He said: Be honest and let it go.
The most important thing is to just be yourself and be clear in your intentions and your actions.
4.
Talk to your spouse or partner.
Talking with your spouse and your family can be an incredibly valuable experience.
Goodell told reporters that in his experience, many parents are “too quick to assume their partner is taking care of the baby.”
“If your partner is doing it and you’re not, then you’re being irresponsible,” he said.
“That’s what it’s about.
It doesn’t have to be like that.”
Goodell also said that if your child’s behavior is causing your partner any stress, “you need to address that.”
“It’s the same thing if your partner’s behavior makes you feel uncomfortable,” he added.
5.
If your partner doesn’t like what you’re doing, talk to him or her.
Goodell noted that sometimes it can be hard to talk about something that you know to be inappropriate because it might “give your partner a bad reputation.”
“Sometimes people get hurt when they say something inappropriate and the other person doesn’t feel comfortable about it,” Goodell said.
6.
Be mindful of what your partner may think.
“If you think that someone else is taking a picture of you, don’t be afraid to ask them what they think about it and then say, ‘OK, this is not appropriate for you,'” Goodell said, adding that you can also “be honest with them.”
7.
Do not let your partner “take it personally.”
“You can say something and be sure that the person you’re talking to is understanding,” Goodell added.
“You have to respect that they are a parent and their decision is theirs.
You don’t want to get into a situation with a parent who is upset that they’re being photographed or who says, ‘I’m going to go out and make myself a baby.'”
8.
Be sensitive to the emotions of your partner, children and parents.
“Parents and grandparents are very important,” Goodell told NFL Network.
“But also, it’s important for your partner to be sensitive to your partner.”
9.
Communicate when you are out and about.
Goodell says it is crucial to talk with your child about the “taste” of what is happening and to tell him or herself “how to feel.”
“We want to tell you how you should feel,” Goodell explained.
“We don’t care if you like it or don’t like it.
If you’re happy or sad, that’s what you want to hear.
That’s how it should feel.
But you have the right to express that in a safe way.
We want you to be comfortable.”
10.
Don´t overdo it.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s your baby or your partner,” Goodell stated.
“Your baby has to be your first priority.
We know there are some situations where it might make sense to put your partner in a more emotional state.”
Goodell continued, “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.
We’re going to do what we have to do, and if we don’t get it right, we’re going the right way.”
11.
Know that your baby can do better.
Goodell also stressed that your child should not be “an overgrown child.”
He pointed to examples of children with learning disabilities who are “more developed than their peers.”
Goodell explained that the best solution for parents is to make sure that “there is a sense of trust and respect between you and your child.”
Goodell said that parents can’t always “give their child the best education and