{#44} The strong-willed child from the hard place

This is kind of a post-in-progress.  We find ourselves with a strong-willed child from a hard place in our home.  I’m hoping there are more of you out there. For our purposes, I’m going to define the key words like this: Strong-willed: Thrives on conflict.  Has difficulty obeying right away…ever.  Always fights to be “right.” […]

Recent school projects (and an adoption update)

If you bake out all the collagen from a bone, and tap it with a mallet, it shatters. The Pilgrims built rectangular houses out of lumber. The Wampanoags built dome-shaped houses with large pieces of bark as walls. In the midst of keeping up with schooling, we’ve been finishing the last of our paper chase. […]

Reflections from a First-time Homeschooler

I interrupt the normally scheduled Thing Adoptive Parents Should Know .  Did you even notice that was a weekly Saturday occurence?  Probably not. In case you’re wondering, we’re still having physicals corrected AGAIN for our home study.  I’d rather not talk about it. Homeschooling.  There’s a happier subject.  At least today.  We’re doing really well despite […]

{#44} Neuroreorganization

Let me preface this post to say that I’m not expert on neuroreorganization.  We haven’t even used it in our family…just considered it.  However, I am a huge proponent of solutions for kids from hard places that do not include drugs.  If nothing else, the research and testimonials for neuroreorganization are compelling and if you’re […]

{#39} Documents

Regardless of which adoption journey you are on, you will need to complete a home study.  As part of your home study, you will need to gather a bunch of documents.  Although this list may vary a little from state to state and agency to agency, it will give you a good idea of what […]

{#38} Webinars

I love technology.  I love blogs, email, apps, Google, smartphones…you get the idea.  Did you know webinar technology has made it possible to explore adoption options from the comfort of your own home…for free?!?!  I know when families start thinking about adoption, it can be overwhelming and intimidating to actually, phycially step foot in an […]

{#37} Homecoming Parties

More often than not, adoption homecomings come at the end of a lot of agonizing red tape and waiting.  Sometimes they mark the end of an infertility journey as well.  Who wouldn’t want to celebrate such a joyous occasion? However, imagine yourself as an infant who emerged into the world only to find you couldn’t […]

Reflections on Parenting from the Inside Out

I’m currently listening through the Empowered to Connect track of this year’s Summit.  The first presentation is Michael and Amy Monroe’s Parenting from the Inside Out. I’ll be honest.  I’ve heard it before.   A couple times actually.  It convicts me each time.  Then I ignore it. Let me back up.  I’ve alluded to their […]