Search Results for: blog getting a baby vs parenting a child

Single-Parenting vs. Adoption

Single parenting can come about in a number of ways. Some of us were thrust into it unwillingly as a result of a divorce, others are faced with a difficult decision; single parent or place. I have been on both ends of the single parenting spectrum. I was just out of high school and faced with the most difficult decision of my life. My boyfriend and I had just broken up less than 24 hours before I found myself pregnant. A good friend of mine found herself in a similar situation not long after I did. One of us chose … Continue reading →

Children Who Don’t Know How to be Children

Sometimes adoptive parents are surprised to discover that an older adopted child, toddler, school-age or teen, does not fit our society’s image of a child. Sometimes children have been responsible for taking care of themselves. Perhaps they were left alone at home a lot and are used to getting their own food, doing their schoolwork alone, following through themselves on school expectations, paperwork, and items needed, and/or taking care of the house. Some of them have been responsible for taking care of other children. Some of them have even been taking care of their parents or the other adults in … Continue reading →

Focus on Parenting as Well as Becoming a Parent

The adoption process, although cumbersome, at least has some set steps to it. We can become totally focused on getting through the process. Perhaps because many adoptive parents have had difficulty in having a child, we may focus more on how to become parents than on how to be parents. “I figured we should take as many classes on parenting as we did on becoming a parent.” This sentence was spoken to me by my best friend while we were both expecting our first child. She said we should spend as much time learning about child care as we did … Continue reading →

Ask a Baby Blogger: Why Can’t You Breastfeed a Baby on a Schedule?

Question: I always hear about how you’re supposed to breastfeed on demand but I have a problem with this. First of all, I feel like the baby needs to work on my schedule, not me being a slave to the baby. Second of all, I don’t think it’s healthy for babies to “snack” like that. Doesn’t that just set them up for bad eating habits later? Thirdly, I think it spoils a baby to respond every single time they cry. And finally, if my baby is on a schedule won’t he sleep through the night better? In responding, I have … Continue reading →

Will a “Perfect” Child Cost More?

Does a “Perfect” child cost more? There has long been a perception that agencies will “charge” whatever they want for a healthy infant, especially if blonde and blue-eyed, while parents who can pay less will be offered “damaged” children. It goes without saying that it is offensive to speak about children as if they were goods to be purchased. So is there any truth at all to these perceptions? First of all, adoption agencies do not set “prices” for specific children. Adoption fees represent the cost of a homestudy, the agency overhead for office space and operations, salaries of children’s … Continue reading →

Getting a Baby vs. Parenting a Child

After my first adoption orientation meeting, I overheard a fellow attendee talking to the counselor. He was trying to weigh the pros and cons of large versus small agencies, but what struck me was his statement, “Our goal is to get a baby. So maybe it is more to our advantage that…” I was surprised to hear him put his objective so bluntly, but perhaps the counselor was not so surprised. I never mentioned to her that I had overheard this statement, but in a later interview with me she remarked, “You know, so many people talk about getting a … Continue reading →

Dedicating Children

Within the Christian denominations, there are some churches that believe in baptizing a baby and others that provide an opportunity for dedication. Perhaps there are churches that do both, but I’ve never attended one. When I was told of my own dedication, I was under the impression the purpose of it was to give the baby to God by recognizing them as His child. Though I think that is part of it, I realized when it was time to dedicate my own sons, it was so much more. With my first son, my husband, me, my mom and aunt all … Continue reading →

The 7 Baby B’s of Attachment Parenting

New parents frequently approach attachment style parenting as a list of rules. Nurse on demand. Co-sleep with your infants. Don’t let them cry. Carry them in a sling. While there is definitely a list of parenting behaviors that can be categorized as “attachment style”, attachment parenting is anything but a set of rules. Each individual family must decide how best to meet their infant’s needs given their circumstances. But for those who are looking for a place to begin, a set of guidelines to start exploring in taking care of your infant, here is a list of Baby B’s, as … Continue reading →

Celebrity Swag Weekend

If things were correct in this world, the people that can’t afford a lot would be the ones getting award show swag. After all, can’t most celebrities afford all this stuff anyhow? But, as it turns out on this Academy Awards weekend, the celebrities are making out like bandits. I guess it is only far because only a select few will take Oscar home this weekend. All the others get to take home the swag. What’s up for grabs this year? For the stars that stay at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, quite a few goodies. Lisa Gal … Continue reading →

Priceless Christmas Gifts for Parents

I smile every time I see the sign that reads: “Unattended children will be given an espresso and a free puppy.” You can usually catch the tongue-in-cheek threat hanging in stores, doctors’ offices and auto repair shops. I love kids to pieces and I firmly believe a baby is one of the best gifts a person can receive during the holiday season… or any time of the year. However, the cute creatures aren’t problem-free. They enter the world following the shedding of blood, sweat and tears, and the work that goes into raising them doesn’t miraculously dwindle when they reach … Continue reading →