Understanding Childhood Sexual Development: A Shame-Free Guide for Parents
“Is This Normal?” It’s a question parents ask in mom groups, on social media, and in whispered conversations with everyone from grandmas to pediatricians. We all wonder if our kids are meeting appropriate milestones, staying on target with their peers, and are just “normal” (if that’s even a thing!). But that question feels much more […]
From Bathtime to Big Talks: Everyday Ways to Teach Kids About Their Bodies
Key Takeaways Ongoing Conversations Matter: Instead of one big talk, have small, ongoing discussions about bodies and boundaries to help your child learn gradually. Follow Their Lead: When kids ask questions, respond by understanding their curiosity first, and keep your answers simple and age-appropriate. Create a Safe Space: Use proper terms for body parts, admit […]
From Burnout to Connection: Using Points of Joy to Overcome Blocked Care
You love your child—there’s no question about that. You love your child—there’s no question about that. But lately, parenting has felt less like a calling and more like an uphill battle. You’re exhausted, irritable, and maybe even questioning whether you were ever cut out for this. Here’s what some parents have shared: “I have been […]
Starting Small The Power of Tolerable Connection in Parenting
Key Takeaways Connection doesn’t have to be big to be meaningful. Small, low-pressure moments can create real change over time. Children with trauma often experience an “intimacy barrier.” They may resist connection, not because they don’t want it, but because it feels unsafe. Healing starts with safety and regulation. Before deep connection can happen, both […]
Leaping into 2025: Embracing Change with Confidence and Trust
Key Takeaways Trust in Support: We can lean on those around us (friends, family, community members, or Chosen) for support when facing challenges or unknowns. Perseverance Through Fear: Fear is natural, but it doesn’t have to stop us. We can move forward with excitement and anticipation, knowing it’s part of growth. Generational Life’s Journey is […]
Listening to the Adoptee’s Voice – Creating Space for Hard Truths This Adoption Awareness Month
Key Takeaways Adoptees deserve the full ownership of their stories, with all the complexities and truths they contain. Love alone can’t erase the unique pain of relinquishment, but supporting adoptees’ connections to their origins strengthens the family bond. Creating space for adoptees’ questions and feelings—no matter how hard—builds trust, healing, and connection. “I wish I […]
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 […]
Handle Sibling Fights and Nurture a Positive Attachment Every Day
BY BETHANY HALL If you are a foster, adoptive, or kinship family, then you know caring for multiple children isn’t easy. Squabbles, sharing, and getting under each other’s skin is bound to happen any time of the year. However, sibling fights and other behaviors tend to get worse during long breaks like summertime or holidays. Our […]
Screen Time: Summer Parenting Tips to Help You Manage
When it comes to screen time and kids, it is easy to feel like you are facing off against a monster. Television and video games have been around for decades, but in recent years, use and ease of access has exploded. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time for children until 18 to […]
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 […]
