Search Results for: blog family of two raising an only

What’s it Like to Parent Two Mentally Ill Children?

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Several years ago, Susan and Michael Schofield learned that their daughter, Jani, had been born with schizophrenia. The couple had a second child, a son named Bodhi. At first, they believed that Bodhi was born without any mental illnesses. As time went on, they learned that Bodhi also has some mental health issues. What’s it like to parent not one, but two, mentally ill children? Michael and Susan Schofield decided to publicly share their story about parenting a child with schizophrenia when their daughter, Jani, was six years old. As an infant, Jani did not sleep for more than half … Continue reading →

Love Makes a Family

Logan got a little spoiled with books this Christmas, thanks to Mommy’s thrift shop rummaging. I was tempted to be an indian giver when I fell in love with one of them, but luckily he is a good sharer. As we read the book I felt as if it was written just for us, so much so that it brought me to tears. It is about a single mother who is raising a little girl on her own. One day the little girl comes home from school and decides she wants a “real family,” and storms off next door. They … Continue reading →

Can You Afford a Large Family?

Octomom can’t. The Duggars can. Go figure. Nadia “Octomom” Suleman, the infamous mother of 14 recently got nearly naked for the U.K.-based magazine Closer. Unfortunately, showing her skin only helped pay the bills temporarily and now the frazzled mom is relying on government assistance to feed her brood. Juxtapose Octomom and the Duggars and you might as well be comparing night and day. For years I’ve wondered how much Jim Bob, Michelle and their 19 kids raked in for allowing cameras to document their every move and broadcast it on TLC. Thanks to digging by E! Online’s staff, it’s estimated … Continue reading →

More Family Friendly Ways To Save

Yesterday I shared a few ideas for saving money on things that the youngest members of your family need. Today, I have more suggestions for things that parents can do to help lower some of the costs associated with raising children. Since parenting styles vary so greatly, not all of these tips will appeal to all families. Hopefully within this collection of tips there is something for everyone. One of my favorite things to do is to look for things that I can do during the day with my son that do not cost anything. I am a stay at … Continue reading →

When Your Only Child Gets Married

My niece is getting married on Saturday. My sister’s only child will now be someone’s wife. Terrie and Nia have been on their own most of Nia’s life, her father chose not to take an active role in her upbringing so it’s been just the two of them. Now, Nia is getting married. As a single parent I sympathize with my sister. You want your children to grow up and leave the nest, you know they have to, it’s part of life. Everyone needs to stand on their own two feet but I think when you are a single parent … Continue reading →

Am I Raising a Hoarder Or Is This Her Security Blanket

One thing that can be counted on when you have a child or two, is the mountain of “stuff” that comes with them. First there are bottles and diapers and strollers and the like, and then come the toys. The toys never seem to stop coming, birthdays, Christmas, good grades, whatever it is, there always seems to be a toy or ten attached. Every time I walk into my daughter’s room I’m amazed at the amount of stuff she has collected in her short life. Coming from a divorced family on accelerates the collection. Christmas at Mom’s and Christmas at … Continue reading →

What Makes A Family

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My daughter used to be an only child. I’ve always felt a little guilty about that. Sometimes it made me sad that she didn’t have siblings. I have four siblings, two brothers and two sisters, they were the best part of growing up. Even though we drove each other crazy, they were always there for me. It made me sad that Hailey wouldn’t know that love. When Hailey turned 15 her Dad gave her a sister. It was a very hard time for Hailey, she had gotten used to being an only child, and she was definitely ok with being … Continue reading →

Family of Two: Raising an Only

What constitutes a family? Do you need a certain number of people to qualify as being a family? The definition of the word family is considered a group of individuals living under one roof or of a common ancestry. The word group means a unit of two or more. Yes, two people does make up a family even though two does seem to be a bit small to make up a family. Being a single parent of an only child can get pretty quiet at times and is not what you picture when you think of the word, family. The … Continue reading →

Two Special Items

Tristi’s blog about the movie, ‘Walk the Line’ prompted me to write about two of the Johnny Cash items I have. The first is the last CD of songs he recorded before his death. It is titled ‘Johnny Cash, My Mother’s Hymn Book.’ The CD includes songs such as: ‘When the Road is Called up Yonder’ ‘Softy and Tenderly, ‘‘Just as I am‘ The old hymn forever associated for me and, I suspect, many other Christians with Billy Graham crusades. ‘I am a pilgrim’ ‘Where we’ll never grow old.’ This is only a few. There are 15 tracks. Some of … Continue reading →

What Would You Like to See in the Adoption Blog This Next Year?

What Would You Like to See in the Adoption Blog This Next Year? This blog will be a little different. I’m asking for comments from you, my readers. What has been helpful to you in the adoption blog this year? What would you like to see more of? More personal experience and reflections? More informational blogs? I, for one, would like to see more comments by readers, both in the blog comments and in the forums. The forums are a great tool to ask questions which I can then address in blogs. As many of you know, I have two … Continue reading →