Even More
My kids will tell you that I struggle with control issues. But I’m finding a little bit of freedom. Want to know how?
Six Secrets to Changing Your Life
Seth Godin posted this recently: Who you hang out with determines what you dream about and what you collide with. And the collisions and the dreams lead to your changes. And the changes are what you become. Change the outcome by changing your circle. Now, this is not a new idea. Smart people have been saying this since before the flood. So why is this so hard? The challenge is choosing your circle wisely. Excitement and thrill and fun are attractive, but they come at a very high cost. Choosing the people who will help lift you up and help you become […]
Back to School
Hairspray and perfume hang in our hallway like the Black Smoke from Lost. The girls scurry around…”Where’s my bobby pin? Not the green one! The blue one!” The first day of school. It’s go time. One year ago, I shared a few thoughts about the first day of school for the girls: Today, they embark on a new season of classes and homework, of football games, of friends and opportunities and choices. They seek independence, yet the glue is still drying between us as a family. For kids raised outside their family of origin, or in a family with […]
Love and Expectations
It’s hard work, parenting. The struggle between parents and teenagers is as old as humanity. Adam and Eve had their hands full with Cain and Abel, that’s for sure. And most of us will end up with a happier ending than theirs. What adoptive parents often learn the hard way, though, is that parenting kids who have experienced loss or had painful histories can increase the challenge. A lot. To put it bluntly, our girls arrived in our family with a lot of heartache. A lot of baggage. A lot of expectations, some not entirely realistic. It’s still hard for […]
Guest Post for Tor
Today, I’m honored to be posting at The Daily Retort for my friend Tor Constantino. Tor and his wife just added a son to their family, and I couldn’t be happier for them! In honor of Junior’s birth, and to prepare the Constantinos for the impending teen years, I have shared some tips for for getting through it all, including: Choose your battles Follow your gut Trust but verify Listen to anything Be consistent Stand firm Stop on by Tor’s site, congratulate him on his new arrival, and share your own survival tips!! If you’re visiting here from The Daily […]
