If you've read here for any length of time, you know that I promote education to young mothers, believing that most can parent their child. While I don't believe that all teens are ready and/or capable, I believe that there are great teen parents. But, I've got to say, this particular news story caught me off guard.

Seventeen teens are pregnant at a high school in Massachusetts. That's quadruple their normal pregnancy rate. Quadruple. Four times.... more

I have been quite impressed by my 14-year-old daughter’s honesty during the last several visits we have made to her psychiatrist. With each visit, she seems to open up a little more to him. This is important for several reasons. First, she is nearing adulthood and would like to live on her own someday. Therefore, it is important for her to not only own her disability but also begin taking over the management of it. Secondly, the doctor cannot help her if she is not honest about how she is doing and feeling. While her doctor and I can see the outward results of her actions,... more

So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:6, NIV)

This has been a week of confronting and conquering fears, here at Casa Stro. Awhile back I mentioned that my kids would be swimming this summer as a tribute to their birth mom. I also mentioned that my biological child does not like water. In fact, he's terrified of the pool.

Monday was... more

Although it isn’t officially summer yet it sure feels like it here in the South! Summer is a great time for visits as the kids get out of school, the days tend to feel longer, etc. I think there is just a more fun feel to summer. I have some ideas of ways you can have fun with your child on summertime visits.

Note: Some of the ideas below will vary depending on exactly how open your adoption is, the type of relationship you have with your child’s adoptive parents, the leeway you have with visits, and your child’s age. The ideas below are intended to include the... more

One of the foster moms on the adoption.com forum is transitioning her foster son to a placement with a biological family member.

Many people think that as a foster parent you don’t get attached to your foster children. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Foster parents love their children, no matter how long they are in their home. There are children that you may not have as strong of attachment to because of behavioral issues, but there are still emotions when a child leaves.

The... more

A couple of weeks ago we had an unplanned and unexpected sibling visit with two of my daughter’s older sisters. I mentioned in a previous blog how surprised and impressed I was with one older sister’s improved behavior. I asked her many questions as my 14-year-old daughter watched with mouth agape. However, that is not the only action we took. My daughter has always enjoyed riding our horses. However, she has not been allowed alone with the horses since the bad haircut incident. After the... more

When you live in the lifestyle that foster and adoptive families do, there are plenty of times when you feel anything but “normal.”

It’s hard to feel this way when you are documenting a child’s behavior, talking with social workers, running to therapists, birth family visits and all the other things that go along with this life style. Feeling stressed becomes the standard way of life.

I got to enjoy a rare moment of feeling normal as I watched Hannah perform in a dance recital on Saturday. I did not have to worry about her behavior backstage while... more

I write an awful lot about my story both here and, well, everywhere. I'm used to telling my story. Not only do I think it could provide useful for other families, mothers and the general public but it is cathartic. Sometimes writing everything "out" of my head is the only thing that gives my heart some peace. We all need peace, let me tell you, if only for a few moments.

And that's why I am encouraging my birth mother readers to share their stories.

No, not here. Origins USA is "seeking... more

Has your adopted child recently had surgery? It is true that adhesions symptoms are not common with most surgeries. In fact, most go undiagnosed because they do not cause symptoms and are not life threatening. However, they are common after abdominal surgeries and many children do have their appendix removed. Occasionally, children are born with adhesions, but they usually result from the inflammation that accompanies surgery. Adhesions are scar tissues that bind together two surfaces within the body that were not meant to be connected. Painful symptoms can accompany... more

Does your adopted child have a big neck compared to peers? The University of Virginia recently completed a study indicating that these children are more likely to develop a sleep related breathing disorder than their peers are. These disorders affect breathing during sleep, the most common being obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A pediatric sleep center identified 215 children between 18 months and 18 years old for the study. The researchers who studied these children identified some common trends among those who had a sleep related breathing disorder. Apparently, neck... more