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Why Did You Get A Divorce?

Kids ask hard questions, there’s no denying that. When I got divorced I was surprised by some of the questions Hailey asked, it seemed that she was aware of more than I thought she was. I tried really hard to give her good answers without pointing any fingers. Since some of the issues leading to my divorce were too adult for her to understand, I sidestepped them. After all, it really isn’t my child’s business that her father was unfaithful. I didn’t want to paint that picture of him for Hailey. I chose instead to tell her that we just … Continue reading →

Book Review: In My Heart, by Molly Bang

I finally have my wish, which I blogged about nearly three years ago, to see pictures of adoptive families in books that aren’t specifically about adoption. In My Heart, by author-illustrator Molly Bang, is a wonderful author and illustrator who has received three Caldecott Honors. In My Heart is a book that will be wonderfully reassuring to all children. It helps them deal with separation from a parent. It portrays the life of a working family, narrated by the mother, who tells how she misses her child when she is at her job (a veterinarian), but then reminds herself to … Continue reading →

Frugal Living Week in Review: February 4th Through February 10th

From storing apples and using alternatives to expensive “green bags” to saving money at work, this past week has some very interesting articles. Here is the Frugal Living week in review for February 4th through February 10th. February 4th Do You Need “Green Bags?” Have you seen those new “green bags?” So far, I’ve seen them only on commercials and info-mercials. They are plastic bags that are meant for keeping produce fresh. The bags appear to be made of a lightweight plastic and are tinted green. In the commercial, the smiling lady offers examples of fruits and vegetables that have … Continue reading →

Top Ten Adoption Myths, Part Two

Continuing yesterday’s blog on the top ten myths I hear about adoption: 6. Myth: Social workers will make surprise visits to my home. Reality: Most of our homestudy took place at the agency office. There was one required—and scheduled—visit to our home. Most of our time was spent talking in the living room. The only other room the social worker asked to see was the room where we planned for the child to sleep. We did not have to have this room prepared. She only wanted to make sure there was “enough space”—and she judged that what I considered to … Continue reading →

“Bought and Sold”

“Flash Fiction: ‘A Meditation on Voices Lost or Stolen Only to be Bought and Sold Like Chinese Babies’ –page 8” read the Table of Contents. I have heard some pretty weird things about adoption, but this has to be one of the most blatantly callous. The piece was in an independently published magazine I picked up from the rack at our local pool. The story had nothing to do with adoption. It didn’t even mention Chinese babies anywhere in the story, only in the title. The piece was a science-fiction story in which people’s voices could fall out, be tricked … Continue reading →

Talking About Diversity in School and at Home

I’ve always loved to learn about other cultures. My fondest memory of elementary school is a Mexican posada procession and fiesta. My favorite thing about my children’s preschool was that they celebrated Diwali, Hanukkah, Christmas, Eid al-Fitr, Purim and more. As a preschool teacher myself, I was eager to expose my students to other holidays, cultures, etc. I posted pictures of people in different national costumes and different types of homes. Imagine my shock when I went to a to a teachers’ workshop on diversity and the speaker warned us against overemphasizing different and unusual things about countries and told … Continue reading →

Teaching Learning Disabled Kids To Read

Trying to teach a learning disabled child to read can be a frustrating experience. When our oldest came to us, he was a poor student. His report card read D’s and F’s across the board. He detested reading and refused to even try to enjoy anything involving the printed word. A big part of Randy’s aversion was his discomfort in doing it. He felt inferior because he had poor reading skills. He didn’t have a good foundation to build on; no one read to him as a child and he was never encouraged to read. He was never taken on … Continue reading →

Will a Special Diet Help Your Child?

Parents of children with special needs often get recommendations from other parents about putting their kid on a specialized diet. “I took my son off all artificial colors and additives and his hyperactivity went away,” or, “When my daughter stopped eating processed foods, her ADHD improved,” or “No more sugar for my son. It makes him lose focus,” etc. Some people swear that hyperactivity is caused by food allergies. It can be confusing for parents of newly-diagnosed children to know whether or not to pursue some of these dietary suggestions, and if so, which ones. The Brain Thrives on Good … Continue reading →

Ten Signs that Your Spouse may be Cheating

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So you think your spouse might be cheating on you? The very fact that you are suspicious is a good indication that something sinister may be going on. That’s because we all have intuition. Whether you call it a “sixth sense,” “warning bells,” or “red flags,” trust that inner voice. Unless you are generally a suspicious person and have a history of being overly possessive and accusing, your fears are probably justified. I have personal experience with this, which explains this guest-blog. The multiple infidelities in my first marriage turned me into a housewife-by-day, detective-by-night. I got really good at … Continue reading →

Oops, She Did It Again! Spears Is Mom of Two!

The cat is official out of the bag, after weeks of mere speculation, rumor and gossip. Britney Spears is pregnant with her second child. Yes, folks, you read that right. Another baby Spears is on its way. Spears announced her bun in the oven last night on The Late Show with David Letterman. Celebrity gossip rags have bounced this rumor around for weeks. What is more shocking than Spears’ impending desire to juggle two kids on her lap in the front seat of her car while speeding away from those adoring paparazzi? The fact that we care at all! Well, … Continue reading →