Tag Archives: behaviors

When Fairness Becomes Important

With three kids very close in age, trying to keep things fair and equitable has always been a family priority. But, I have noticed that not all of my kids have been as focused on “fairness” and, as a matter of fact, recently my fifteen-year-old son has become very focused on what is and isn’t fair—both within our household walls and out in the world at large. In doing a little research on child development, I find that this is a typical developmental process—trying to balance out what is going on in the world and around a person, with what … Continue reading →

“I Need to Relax a Little Bit!”

I know that little children say the cutest things and, as parents, we often wish that we’d written them all down. But, as many of you know, I am the parent of teenagers and teenagers have their own take on the English language. While they might not be saying “cute” things any more–they do say things that catch me off guard and I hope that I’ll remember. This morning, when I asked one of my daughters to run an errand for me, her answer was: “I’ll do it later. Right now I have to relax a little bit.” Okay, now … Continue reading →

Letting Them Really “BE” Teenagers

Teenagers have a way of making you forget they are still kids. Sometimes, they can seem so self-composed, so wise, so responsible, that you forget that they are not already solid adults. They’re not. One door-slamming temper tantrum or an “I forgot” and you’ll come crashing back to reality. The fact is, we have to let our kids really BE teenagers—not kids, and definitely not adults. I try to talk to and treat my teens “as if” they are adults. This doesn’t mean that I am in any way fooled into thinking they are already there in terms of maturity … Continue reading →

Dog Quirks: The Funny Little Things They Do

Murphy (with Mr. Meow’s help) digging in the snow… I got to thinking this morning what a funny dog Murphy has been when he started running all over the place like a wild maniac because he was so happy. (It was cold, something he loves, and he’d found a “treasure” on our walk to bring home, a stick, so he started his morning off right. That’s a lot to celebrate!) All of my dogs have exhibited this wild abandon where they race here and there at top speed in wild-eyed glee. I don’t know what it’s technically called, but I … Continue reading →

Adoptive Parenting Traits, Part 3

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This is the third blog in a series that discusses the traits that an adoptive parent of a special needs child must have. The parent must be mindful that recovery and restoration from the child’s past may not be immediate and that some damage may never be fixed. We all like to think that lots of love and the best that modern medicine can provide will make things right. The problem is that it just doesn’t always happen. We have adopted five maternal brothers. The oldest four came to our home about four years ago. One of the children is … Continue reading →