Walking with Biological Families – How Adoption and Foster Care Changed Me for Good
Key Takeaways Proximity fosters understanding: Getting closer to someone’s story shifts judgment into compassion and changes the way we see ourselves and others. Uncomfortable isn’t unsafe: Stepping into unfamiliar or challenging situations can be a path to deeper connection and healing for both children and their biological families. True change costs more than money: Generational […]
Nurturing Discipline: Practical Alternatives to Spanking
Nurturing Discipline: Practical Alternatives to Spanking In another post, we explored What Does The Bible Say About Spanking? One clear takeaway is that it is important to discipline our kids. So, what is the difference between punishment (like spanking) and discipline? Today, let’s delve deeper into that difference as well as some practical alternatives that […]
Back to School Advocacy
“My Child is Scared to Go Back to Class!” Speak Up to Help Students Succeed Is your child afraid to go back to class? A new school year can be an anxious time for any child. For children with hard histories, this transition can be even more complicated. As a parent, you can advocate for […]
Parenting Tips: Summer Advice that Can Bring Structure and Make Free Time Count
Summer is filled with fun and games, but it also has frustrating moments. There’s often dysregulation in the house (tantrums, defiance, whining and disrespect.) Why is that? The sudden lack of structure over summer break can cause “bad behaviors” to emerge. The good news is we as parents and caregivers can do something about it. […]
Tossing, Turning, and Counting Sheep!
Everyone knows that parents of newborns operate on a deficit in the snooze department. Babies are up around the clock for obvious reasons. But sleep can also be tricky for older kids who have experienced loss, abuse, and neglect. Separation anxiety, memories of bad things that happened in the dark, and grief can all intensify […]
Connecting with Teens through Shared Journaling
Connecting with teens can be hard. Video games, earbuds, and social media command much of their attention. If you’re parenting teens, one-word answers might leave you wondering, “What are they thinking? What are they feeling? Do they even care?” Many teens keep their emotions hidden, while others huff, puff, and stomp off when parents try […]
What Does the Bible Say About Spanking?
Thoughts On Corporal Punishment Corporal punishment has been a controversial topic for many decades, particularly among Christian families. Proponents of this disciplinary method often cite passages in the Old Testament book of Proverbs. We have all heard the saying, “spare the rod, spoil the child.” Contrary to popular belief, this phrase isn’t found in Scripture. […]
Food Fights? Try a Snack Box!
For several children, this traditional model works well enough. But kids who have experienced neglect often feel anxiety around food. Some take or hide food even when there is more than enough on the table and in the pantry. Others fly off the handle when a snack is delayed or denied. When children have been […]
Trauma Informed to Trauma Responsive Care
Loss hurts. Neglect and abuse cut deep. Early childhood trauma leaves lasting scars. Whether the baby in the womb adopted at birth, the 3-year-old being raised by grandparents, or the teenager in foster care, all children who have been separated from birth parents have experienced some level of trauma. As a result, these kids often face […]
Back To School Tips & Tricks
Back to School Parents may both cheer and dread these three words. Some feel hopeful about new beginnings, friendships, and learning. Others are anxious about learning struggles and loneliness. As parents of children who have experienced Complex Developmental Trauma, we have yet another layer to consider. Often, our children struggle with transitions. When our kids […]
Food Hoarding: Feasting on Control
Staff Recommendations
These books cover challenging topics, so we encourage you to read them with your children, and discuss them. Ages 4-8 Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad Written by Ellen Levine and illustrated by Kadir Nelson, Scholastic Press Ella Queen of Jazz Written by Helen Hancocks, Frances Lincoln Children’s Books The Story […]
