My first son and I have something very in common. We write our best articles when we feel passionate about something, especially if that something hits us in our emotions. Yep. We're emotional beings and occasionally another being will hit our emotional nerve and cause us to sort things out until we feel we sufficiently understand them or can at least put it behind us. (If you'd like to see his writings about refugees and his newest adventure … [Read more...]
Should We Help Our Adult Children? (4) Parenting Tip #44
This is the 4th in the series, "Should We Help Our Adult Children?" If you have not read 1-3, go do that now. #1 in This Series #2 in This Series #3 in This Series #4 in This Series (you are here) If you have, and are not sure still if you can help, even though everything looks kosher, then start out by helping them on a small scale. Lend them a few dollars to get by and see if they pay you back. Give them a ride and see … [Read more...]
Should We Help Our Adult Children? Parenting Tip #44
It's been a while since I've posted here on Mom of Many because I've been busy putting together my DIY program. But I'm back today with the first in a series - it started out to be a simple set of tips and morphed into a full-blown series because there was so much to say. Have you ever wondered... How do I tell them “No,” when I can’t help? Am I obligated to help every time they ask? What do I do when I have a demanding or whiny … [Read more...]
Calling Protective Services? A Message to the Concerned Onlooker
I just read an article about a mom who left her 4 year old son in the car for a couple of minutes to run into the store. Read the article here. She is a good mom, cares for her child, works hard, is faithful and loving. She did what her mom did with her back when she was little. She did what she thought was best in the moment. While she was in the store an onlooker called the police and took a picture of her son sitting in the car alone. … [Read more...]
Get a Hobby, Mom! Parenting Tip #43
Find Your Creative Outlet Back when all 15 kids were home and we were crazy busy, I still took time to read books, learn new technology and techniques in my graphic design and photography passions and kept up with several of my hobbies. Do you? Do you have a hobby or creative outlet that brings a smile to your face? You need to get a hobby if you don't have one now. Why a hobby, you ask? Well, to start with, you want to maintain your … [Read more...]
Should We Help Our Adult Children? (3) Parenting Tip #44
This is #3 in the Series, "Should we Help our Adult Children?" Read #1 and #2 first, please. #1 in This Series #2 in This Series Yesterday I left off with: "There was one defining moment that set my course for the rest of our parenting for when they were all adults." Let me tell you about that moment. When our older kids were in college, they all came home from college for Easter one year and I found myself falling into the … [Read more...]
Stop Apologizing! Parenting Tip #42
True Story... Years ago we saw a rash of food theft in our home. We limited the sugar many of our kids consumed because of their sensitivity, though occasionally we would reintroduce it into their diets to test it out. Within two weeks we'd see such a negative change in their behavior that we'd withdraw it again. There were some who would sneak whatever they could find when my back was turned - a mom has got to use the bathroom … [Read more...]
The Adopted Kids’ Internal Clocks – Parenting Tip #41
A Sibling Group of Four When we adopted our sib group of four, the two youngers were together in one foster home and the two older ones were together in another home. This type of arrangement can be most difficult on the oldest because they feel a need to protect their younger siblings. How do they do that when they don't live together and only see each other at weekly visits? This was the case with our kids. The oldest was 9 years old and very … [Read more...]
When Your Child Publicly Hates You – Parenting tip #40 (Part 2)
I ended Parenting Tip #40 (Part 1) like this... Next I will tell you how we handle the publicly declared accusations and hate mail as siblings and parents. God speed and until next time… So how do we deal with public jabs, attacks and innuendos? How should we react or address twisting of the truth, stretching, shading or outright lies? Should we react at all? Should we counter lies with the truth? Should we acknowledge any … [Read more...]
When Your Child Publicly Hates You – Parenting Tip #40 (Part 1)
Time to address a very sensitive subject... For many, this type of conversation is painful - and will possibly elicit anger and a lashing out, but there are so many suffering parents out there that need you to know their reality and be reminded that they are not alone that I must speak out. Insight into what it is to be a family like ours - to parent children with a difficult past, to invite into our family those who carry around … [Read more...]
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