It’s difficult to argue with all of the evidence indicating people live less stressful lives when they have a routine. It might be a hectic routine, but having some predictable plan takes away the element of surprise. Some people do enjoy a more spontaneous lifestyle and that’s fine when they are in control of their lives and adults. Most children do very well when they live in a home with a well-established routine. Knowing when and where meals are eaten and having some kind of a mealtime ritual provides a sense of belonging to something bigger then just who we … Continue reading →

I don’t think that everything I do with my children revolves around the fact they were adopted. Many of my parenting ideas I learned with my older children Sean and Tori and as different as it is to be an adoptive parent some things are just about the kind of family we want to be. I have always wanted to be the kind of family that makes an effort to create memories. And, I don’t consider memories to only be those big things. The holidays and vacations will create memories on their own. The memories I enjoy creating are the … Continue reading →

I was just an average child, born to my parents in the average way but, I was an emotional child and traditions were a big deal for me. I still hold strong to some of the most important traditions of my childhood, and I never plan to let go of many traditions I value the most. My Thanksgiving dinner will Always Include the dishes I remember on the first Thanksgiving I can remember. It’s fine if Thanksgiving dinner is at someone elses home and they have different dishes. I have actually added a few I picked up from other people … Continue reading →

In the last Blog of this series, I wrote about some of the issues adoptive parents face when an older child is placed. I also touched on my own personal feelings about children’s need to have an at home parent. It has been three years since our children were placed with us for adoption and it has been during the normal routine parts of life where we have experienced the majority of positive interactions with our children. Being at home when the children were not attending school has given our family a chance to build a history together. The fact … Continue reading →

I am a firm believer that most children thrive in an environment where one parent is home typically the mother. I feel all children do well when they have a parent at home, and are able to spend the bulk of their lives in their home with their parents. School and other activities are wonderful, but when these things are not happening there is no place like home. An adopted child especially benefits when one parent can be a full time stay at home parent. At least during the first year to three years, I feel it is especially important … Continue reading →

Children with attachment difficulties often have a very different view of life and what it means to be part of a family. Attachment disorders occur when a child doesn’t have a safe and secure opportunity to learn how to attach during the first three years of life. There is a lot of information about attachment disorders, and the symptoms. The purpose of this series will be about parenting for attachment with our children. Parenting for attachment is a positive way of parenting any child and regardless of the type of attachment disorder a baby, toddler or child may have parenting … Continue reading →