Never underestimate the impact that families can have one another. By being transparent. By describing real-life challenges. By identifying their children’s strengths. By sharing hard-fought successes without… Read more “Testimonies of Hope – Family to Family”
Category: Parenting Opportunities
Respect Thy Parent Voice
Plain and simple. Parents now their children best from years of observation and interaction. They might not used fancy terms. They might not know the latest clinical… Read more “Respect Thy Parent Voice”
Forgiveness – Personally Powerful
Upon arriving at Auschwitz, 10-year-old Eva Kor and her twin sister watched their family disappear – never to be seen again. Then Josef Mengele subjected them to… Read more “Forgiveness – Personally Powerful”
Manipulation or Desperation
One word has been used more than any other over 20 years to describe my children’s behavior. Manipulation. It’s direct – by creating a perception of the… Read more “Manipulation or Desperation”
Blame the Parent
When a child is struggling, one technique is quick. It’s easy. It cost no money. Yet it skirts any sense of personal responsibility – while undermining the spirit… Read more “Blame the Parent”
I Wish I Hadn’t Adopted
I wish, I wish, I wish…I wish I hadn’t adopted. There I said it. Like a majority of families who’ve adopted children, I wasn’t mentally prepared for… Read more “I Wish I Hadn’t Adopted”
The 12 Days of Connection – No French Hens or Turtle Doves Required
During this holiday season, are you focusing more on relationships or things? To be honest, our early family Christmases were out of balance. My children opened an… Read more “The 12 Days of Connection – No French Hens or Turtle Doves Required”
Truth or Consequences and Trauma
After extensive reading and personal reflection, my 26-year-old incarcerated son Alex shares his thoughts about parent-imposed consequences. His unique perspective from a traumatic past will help you… Read more “Truth or Consequences and Trauma”
Miss Giving of Thanks?
It’s that time of year for many adoptive families. Do you miss the traditional giving of thanks? Or do you have misgivings? Perhaps you have a combination… Read more “Miss Giving of Thanks?”
Antecedents: Preventing Another Emotional Storm
Another day. Another storm is always in the forecast. It’s been the norm at my house for two decades. An emotional downpour that pops up unexpectedly or… Read more “Antecedents: Preventing Another Emotional Storm”