Search Results for: blog empowering your child

Why Faith Makes All the Difference to Your Teen

Faith or religion may not be anything you talk about in your home or with your teenagers, but that doesn’t mean they don’t think about it. Teenagers are in the midst of asking important life questions, such as “Who am I?” and “Why am I here?” These are spiritual quests, regardless of whether they’re thought of in a traditional religious sense. I believe that every person, whether self-identified as religious or not, has these spiritual thoughts. It’s why my counseling philosophy is called ‘whole-person’ – emotional, relational, physical, and spiritual. When you treat the whole person and address each of … Continue reading →

My Experience With Natural Childbirth, Part 2

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There are many different ways to cope with the pain of childbirth. When it comes to a drug free birth, you have your choice of Lamaze, the Bradley Method, acupuncture, hypnosis, yoga, meditation, walking, massage, taking a bath or shower, or distracting yourself. I largely credit my ability to cope with the pain of childbirth to two things: prayer and the Bradley Method. I had taken a childbirth class through the hospital that loosely followed the Lamaze method, focusing on patterned breathing and relaxation. A few weeks before I gave birth to my son, however, we enjoyed dinner and conversation … Continue reading →

My Experience With Natural Childbirth, Part 3

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“What was it really like?” That was the question I was asking all my girlfriends who’d gone before me. I learned that woman have such a wide variety of experiences, even between their own children. No labor and delivery is quite the same as the next. Each one is unique. Some women made me a little nervous with their stories of 48 hour labors and 4th degree tearing. Fortunately, my story is not so traumatic. That is why I’m sharing my childbirth story: if one woman can take a breath and relax after reading this, I’ve done my job. I’m … Continue reading →

Baby Blog Month in Review: July 2008

Two of my three children are summer babies. That is, they were born in the summer and had their first months surrounded by sunshine streaming in the windows, the sound of birds chirping, and days spent wearing nothing but a diaper and a “onsie.” I made sure that they had Fourth of July outfits ready, even though one of them arrived a week after the holiday. I guess he just wasn’t interested in the parade. Do you have a summer baby, too? We had a lot of new information to share this past month, such as recall notices and new … Continue reading →

Give Your Child Hope

We live in a fast-paced world and we have access to so much information about what is going on all over the world. Our children see images of war, genocide, global warming and hear dire messages on a daily basis. They cannot help but be a generation who is skeptical and wary to say the very least. As parents, it is up to us to combat all of those negative messages and to try to give our children some hope that they can carry with them into the future. I truly do believe that our children need some strong doses … Continue reading →

Media Review: The W.I.S.E. UP Powerbook—a Workbook for Children

Kids are curious about adoption. Adopted kids will naturally be asked questions by their peers. Some of these questions are appropriate and some are not. Some the adopted child may just not feel like answering. We may tell our children the facts about adoption, but often it is hard for children (or any of us) to come up with a response when put on the spot. The W.I.S.E. UP Powerbook is aimed at empowering children to decide how they want to handle adoption questions. This book is published by the Center for Adoption Support and Education, a non-profit family support … Continue reading →

One Word That Can Ease Your Mind

I remember when my son was a toddler and I was imprisoned by his tantrums. It was difficult, if not impossible, to go anywhere. On one occasion he screamed so loud and violently that I took him by the hand, abandoned our shopping cart, and went home in tears. I was so troubled by the stares and scowls of onlookers. And I remember the grief I felt initially when I learned my child would be different from other kids. Well, I was reading a magazine article the other day and had a moment of enlightenment. (They don’t come often, so … Continue reading →

What Motivates You to Manage Your Money?

What motivates you to manage your money? If you are just beginning to manage your money and to get your debt under control was there a specific experience that brought you to that point? Or if you have always managed your money, saved, and avoided debt, why do you think you do this? Do your parents have an affect on the way that you handle your money? I think that my biggest motivating factor is seeing the stress that money has caused other people. I also have plans for my retirement. I want to travel and help others. I know … Continue reading →

Helping Children Solve Their Own Problems

Many children with behavior problems continue to get into trouble because they aren’t able to “own” their conduct. Everything is somebody else’s fault, and they feel picked on and victimized. “She made me hit her because she was laughing at me,” or “I called him a bad name because he wouldn’t let me have a turn.” “I don’t listen to my teacher because she doesn’t like me.” “My room is messy because my little brother keeps going in there and messing it up.” And my favorite: “I can never find my shoes! Somebody keeps stealing them!” “It’s Not My Fault.” … Continue reading →

Baby Blog Week in Review for Jan 13-19

From breast feeding to formula warning labels to baby massage and acid reflux, this week has been packed with great information and much, more. Let’s take a look at our week in review: Let’s Be Honest About Formula vs. Breast Milk continues a frank and open discussion about the benefits of breast milk and the concerns of mothers every where doing the best for their babies is concerned. The discussion continues in Should Formula Cans Contain Warning Labels? advising mothers that breast milk is better for their babies? The Cost of Breastfeeding Intervention vs. Formula Feeding discusses the issues that … Continue reading →