We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future. ~Franklin Delano Roosevelt

President Roosevelt was a wise man! I worry sometimes that I’m not teaching my children enough, watching their character develop in the right ways, that they will be prepared for the future in the ways that I hope. The more I think, the more I realize that teaching them how to serve is the best thing I can do for all of us. What future will it be for any of us if compassion plays no part?

I have 3... more

Seriously folks is it just me who is picky about manners? I just can’t believe the manners or lack of manners with today’s children and in people in general. Maybe it’s just my age. I just grew up with excuse me, please, pardon me, thank you and your welcome for starters. A grown Woman attempted to cut in front of me in line at the grocery store yesterday. Another grown up was yelling at me to get moving simply because I was not a millisecond faster getting my foot from the brake to the gas when the light changed.

It just seems that we... more

I had a light bulb moment recently. I thought I would share it with you all. I realized that I had been making a mistake with Livi. I had fallen into a way of parenting and done what I have seen so many others do. I first realized it when observing my daughter in her occupational and speech therapy playgroup.

I noticed that Livi’s therapist offered her choices several times in the hour long session.Red cup or Green cup…. pick one. White smock or yellow smock.. pick one please. Fish crackers or teddy bear crackers… choose please.

When... more

I wish I can say that everyone in my family has embraced our adoption, embraced our daughter as a member of the family. While most have whole heartedly supported us and showed excitement that is appropriate to any new child joining a family, some have had less than a luke warm response. No warm wishes, no card, no gift, no attendance at parties, no support, no participation in the good wish quilt, and basically shunning us and our daughter for unknown reasons. Almost one year after the fact this crap is still going on. Some people in our life have even resulted in using our adoption as a platform to find fault in other family members… blaming other family members for giving special treatment... more

I’m not Catholic. I’m quite religious – but of a different religion. Yet, I went to mass yesterday for Ash Wednesday.

Why?

Well, it’s like this. My Abby is Catholic. She is 14. She, and her 13yr old Catholic self arrived to our family a year ago. As interesting as it gets sometimes (for the kid, too, I’m sure!), you don’t have to belong to my religion to be my child. Our family includes children worshipping from four other religions than my own.

Abby and I went to a 5:00 mass at the most beautiful church downtown.... more

We have made great strides in getting Livi to show some empathy, but remorse & regret is something we are struggling with. Maybe I am expecting too much from a toddler. I don’t know. Maybe what Livi is doing is just your normal run of the mill toddler behavior. It worries me that she refuses to take me seriously and show remorse for her actions. So what am I looking for and talking about when I mean remorse when it comes to a toddler? I’m looking for something in her that shows that she is sorry for what she did, that she cares about the feelings... more

I’m a huge fan of signing with your children. I began signing with my daughter as soon as we came home- she was 16 months old then and had just begun speaking her first few Russian words per her caretakers. She had explosive tantrums around food and her first sign was “more”. Being able to communicate and get what she wanted was a huge relief to her. I think it helped her to feel less frustrated .

I know her verbal skills & receptive language skills grew because of signing. She started to sign “Up”, shortly after learning the sign she... more

I've read a couple of really moving posts here lately of parents who are struggling to help out-of-control children. I'm posting a parenting affirmation from my book that I hope will offer some solace in their time of need.

"Sometimes I make a mistake as a parent. I forgive myself."

Remember: Without intention, there may be days where circumstances collide and you may speak harsh words to your child, ignore his needs, or punish her unjustly. Whatever the case, forgive yourself. Seek your child's forgiveness if the situation warrants, even if... more