Kids and Adults Face the Power to Choose–A conversation and a Book Review

Children enjoy being able to decide things for themselves. As parents we often make the bulk of the decisions in our children's lives. Most of us understand that decision making is a skill. Like all skills, mastery only comes through practice. Long before kids become proficient decision makers, they will plod through many errors in judgment. As parents, we face a learning curve too--when is it "safe" for kids to make a choice and when must the decision fall on our shoulders? Continue reading →

Why Adoptive Families Should Read “Bullied” by Carrie Goldman

Adoptive families are well aware of the differences that separate us from traditionally formed families. We have experienced the prejudice, the askance looks and the intrusive questions which all broadcast a "lesser than" message and to some extent, have felt bullied by such narrow thinking. We have a vested interest in expanding tolerance, empathy, kindness and the concept of "acceptability." Continue reading →

A Family Project based on “The Best Part of Me” by Wendy Ewald

Kids sometimes have difficulty appreciating their own “beauty.” This is particularly true of kids who have experienced “Tough Starts.” Consider sharing the book, “The Best Part of Me” by Wendy Ewald. This would make a great family project. It presupposes that there is something that the child values about themselves. Perhaps it will assist them in appreciating many. Join in the fun and snap pictures of your “assets.” This is the time to lay down any self-judgments about yourself. Lead the way. Continue reading →

A Very Special Chicken Learns to Shine

Young readers will identify with Henny’s struggle to face and accept her personal differences as well as the differences in others. Many will want to talk about how kids can be kind or mean to each other. This could include discussion of bullying as well—how it feels, what to do, etc. Continue reading →

“Those Shoes,” a Book Review: When A Shoe Is So Much More Than Just A Shoe

Black-high tops with two white stripes—imagine them being the heart’s desire for a little boy. He wants them more than anything else in the world. All the other kids in his class have the extravagant shoes; Jeremy dreams of getting his own pair—of being cool. He gets "Those Shoes" but they don't fit. Jeremy comes to understand the true value of things. A friend means so much more than a pair of trendy shoes. Continue reading →

Feelings: Naming, Sharing, and Recognizing Emotions

Kids are challenged not only by mislabeling their emotions but also by an inability to read the body language cues of others. Whether it is an adult’s raised eyebrow or another child’s hands on hips, often times kids are completely clueless to the silent message such body postures convey. So, what is a parent to do? Continue reading →
« Older posts
Newer posts »