Search Results for: blog five favorite books for single parents

My Favorite Book Reviews of 2008

Most of my readers won’t be surprised to learn that I love to read—kids’ books, adult books, nonfiction, picture books—anything. But even I was surprised to learn that I’ve reviewed over 45 books this year. Since many bookstores have post-holiday sales, and since many of us were fortunate enough to receive bookstore gift cards, I’m challenging myself to pick my favorite “top twelve” of the adoption books I’ve reviewed this year. I began the year by starting a series: Adoption Books with Great Art. Although I’m a “word person”, I’ve become increasingly moved by the beautiful ways some artists can … Continue reading →

Travel Trends—“Parents-Only Vacations”

One of my daughter’s favorite books is “The Berenstain Bears and the Week at Grandma’s.” It’s a cute story about how Brother and Sister bear spend a week at their grandparent’s house while Mama and Papa take a second honeymoon. The first time we read it together my 2-year-old demanded to know why the cubs weren’t going with their Mama and Papa on vacation. The concept is foreign to my daughter: A vacation without her—unthinkable. Compare that to my former colleague’s definition of “vacation.” He doesn’t consider it a true vacation if his three kids are along. No, if kids … Continue reading →

Five Favorite Books for Single Parents

I tend to accumulate books that relate to subjects in which I have a particular interest. So naturally, I have a batch of books that relate to single parenting. I thought I’d let you know about a few of my favorites in case you’re in the market for some useful resources. The books are listed in no particular order. 1. Where’s Daddy? How Divorced, Single and Widowed Mothers Can Provide What’s Missing When Dad’s Missing — by Claudett Wassil-Grimm, M.Ed. This book covers just about every conceivable single Mom situation. It’s a great reference book. 2.The Loss That Is Forever: … Continue reading →

Book Review: Chicken Soup for the Adopted Soul

Published just last year, Chicken Soup for the Adopted Soul is another in the series of “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books which seek to offer comfort and healing to the spirit. As many of you know, the series includes fifty-plus books offering this classic comfort food for the souls of…..couples, single parents, teens, preteens, kids, mothers, scrapbookers, sports fans, brides, shoppers, college students, fishermen, dieters, horse lovers….and more. The series’ founders, Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, co-edit this volume with LeAnn Thieman, herself an adoptive parent as well as a nurse who was caught up in the Operation … Continue reading →

Release of New Chicken Soup for the Soul Book: Life Lessons for Mastering the Law of Attraction

The law of attraction is the latest rage in life management. It essentially teaches that as we send out positive effort into the universe, we’ll get positive results. Of course there’s much more to it than that, and with the latest release from the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” people, you can learn more about it and see how other people managed to take control of their lives and achieve their dreams. Thirty-five stories are included in the anthology. In addition, you’ll find lessons and step-by-step exercises to help you create your ideal life. The creators of the book—Jack Canfield, … Continue reading →

Don’t Forget to Come Back! – Robie H. Harris

Mommy and Daddy are going on a date, and the babysitter is coming. Our heroine doesn’t like that at all, so she tells her parents that she no longer needs a babysitter. She can take care of herself now. She thinks if she can convince her parents not to get a babysitter, she can convince them not to leave at all. Her dad doesn’t seem to be impressed with her wisdom and logic. So she tells him three things that will scare him into staying home. If they leave, a storm will come up and blow the house down. She’ll … Continue reading →

Reasons to Continue Homeschooling

Writing about reasons to quit homeschooling this morning, got me thinking. I want to take a second look at the reasons a parent might want to quit homeschooling, and give a few reasons why a parent in the same situation may want to continue homeschooling. I will add the disclaimer that if a parent feels pushed into homeschooling, then they probably should not homeschool. As I stated earlier, that would create an unhealthy environment for both parent and child. Parent feels they cannot provide the child the structure they need.Providing structure for a child’s education, especially when there are younger … Continue reading →

BITSS of Support Networks

Children most at risk of sexual abuse are those without support networks – a range of trusted adults to talk to. Once we lived in extended family groups, nowadays we tend to be isolated from our emotional supports. We may live busy lives with little time for just chatting with our children or friends. Support networks are important for all of us. Predators love children with few supports. Worse still, predators will groom the few supports and trick them into believing that the child is lying about sexual abuse. To counteract this, remain in contact with friends: talk, listen, and … Continue reading →

The Frugal Toddler

We live in a time when there are entire stores devoted to developmental toys for our toddlers. You can easily spend several hundred dollars on picking up books, videos, developmental toys and interactive games that are produced for children. What kind of parents are we if we do not provide our babies with absolutely everything that has been developed to promote our toddler’s well being? Let’s be honest, though – spending all that money may be great, but you can provide your toddler with a number of developmental tools right there in your own home. Looking to stimulate your toddler’s … Continue reading →