Something that you may know by now about me is that I'm not exactly superstitious, but rather cautious - especially in terms of having children. I think we all know someone who was expecting a baby, ran out to register for things or even had a house full of baby items only to have to cancel the registry or return everything when the pregnancy was lost. Or those who had told everyone about the impending arrival of their newest adoption only to have the adoption fall through. We've all heard these stories - and maybe I've just heard one too many which makes me cautious when approaching the issue of adding children to my family.

My husband and I - on my request - didn't talk about a Hebrew... more

Foster children that are stuggling with behavior issues or that come into foster care without any parent involvement will need to have realistic expectations set for them. As the old saying goes, “You have to crawl before you can walk.” Understand how important this is for the children you're fostering.

As foster parents, it can be overwhelming when you get children or teens placed with you that have “NO” self control, manners, self help skills, hygiene, thoughts of others, or you are deal with aggression, violence, destroying property, hurting animals, cursing, outburst of rage,... more

In our Making Time series, we’ve established the need for personal time, how to make time for yourself, how to make Couple Time, and now, we’re going to round it out with how to make “One-On-One ‘Kid Time’”.

My background is in Early Childhood Education, and all... more

Okay, so I’ve convinced you of the need for personal time; I’ve even shown you how to get it. So, maybe it’s gone to my head a little and made me cocky, because now I’m going to suggest Couple Time and how to make it.

Let me preface this “cockiness” with a confession - one oft repeated here on the blog - I don’t always write from a place of “knowing... more

After I learned the truth about my birth mother and family, I did not want to talk about it any more. I had to find a way within myself to deal with it. My mom would asked me a few times was I okay and did I want to talk. She stepped back and gave me time and space to work through it which was probably very hard for her. But this was my journey to take.

Does the pain and grief go away? No, but you learn to move along as do others when they are faced with losing a loved one. The grief that I feel of not knowing my older brother could easily consume me, if I made that choice. The truth is, it is what it is and I cannot change things so I must move on. Yes, the grief will always... more

I get many different electronic newsletters, from many different sources. Check them out and sign up for what looks interesting to you. They are:

Evan B. Donaldson Institute Adoption Newsletter

Bazelon Mental Health Policy Reporter

National Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice & Permanency Planning

Child... more

There are times when I can do little but sit back, scratch my head and wonder how in the heck so much time has passed ... and so quickly.

Birthdays ... and I have one coming up ... always prompt this.

"Fifty-six! How did I get to be fifty-six, when I'm quite sure I was thirty-five just the other day."

(Of course, that line of thought completely ignores the fact that I have a daughter about to turn thirty-eight, but that's really beside the point.)

Today, however, is where the rubber meets... more

Now that we know why you need to make time for yourself, let’s talk about ways to incorporate this time seamlessly, painlessly, and guilt-free into your day!

Use existing blocks of time to your advantage: Do the kids still nap? If so, you nap too! As tempting as it is, do not use this time to play “catch-up!” If you can’t nap, read, knit, listen to music, or do something you find soothing. Avoid television, newspapers or... more

When you bring your adopted child home, the previous months beforehand are much like a traditional birth - a flurry of activity, with little time for rest or sleep. Now that you are home with your child, sleep almost seems like an out-of-reach possibility!

With the demands of new parenthood upon you (whether this is your first, last or in-between child), thoughts of caring for yourself seem selfish. After all, isn’t this what you signed on for when you decided to have children?

Adoptive parents are especially cursed with this type... more

Adam's case was set to go to trial at the end of May, but for various reasons got pushed off. I am still waiting to hear about a new court date which I am hoping will be soon. As much as I obviously hope - for our sake - that the case will go to termination and we will be able to adopt Adam, it could still go either way. Regardless of what the determination is, I hope the case is decided soon so we can know what is going on.

Anyway, I met with his law guardian this week. When a case is in court to determine guardianship or issues of termination, a law guardian is appointed to represent the interests of the child or children in question.

Adam's law guardian discussed the issue... more