A lot of parents struggle when raising kids with ongoing challenging behaviors. They want what’s best for their children and have searched high and low for answers. Instead, they have a handful of diagnoses and little hope for the future. Besides feeling exhausted, they also feel like they failed their child. I’ve been there. Our […]
If you’re drowning in your own harvest of cucumbers or love a great dill pickle, you need this recipe in your life. Our cucumber plants are producing like crazy this year. We’re slicing and dipping, making Korean cucumber salad, giving them away, and, my favorite, pickling them. I love this recipe because you don’t need […]
Maybe your kids are young adults and finding their way in the world. Maybe you have a child who needed an out-of-home placement. You may have left off on good terms or maybe you’re both hurt and angry. We’ve actually had all of that happen with all the feels that go with it. No matter […]
I’ve been chatting with a lot of moms who are a sort of crossroads with their older adopted child. There is hurt, resentment, and bewilderment from both sides. The kids are rejecting their family in as many ways possible. The parents are wondering where they went wrong. We’ve been there. In October 2015, we were […]
A lot of moms (myself included) start to see their child as the adversary when bad behavior persists. One of the most helpful visuals that I learned when becoming a parent trainer was to stay on the same side as your child. Instead of imagining you against your child and his aggression, think about you […]
If you’re anything like me, you get to the end of the day and feel like all you did was yell at kids. Most of the items on your to-do list remain unchecked. You wish you had more patience, and you wish you could focus enough to accomplish something. Anything. I also have a child […]
Before parenting children with challenges, I had a pretty bare toolbox. The learning curve after our first adoption was steep. During our journey, we’ve researched and learned a lot. It started with some simple parenting shifts. Then we learned that there is a fascinating mind-body connection. This opened a world of other things to try. […]
“Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning.” -Diane Ackerman For children with attachment disorders, hugs and affection may cause acting out. Play can be a non-threatening way to build connection and teach trust. Try doing one of these activities at the same time every day so it becomes part of your routine. Give your child some […]