By host on
8/31/2010 11:24 AM
Note the fists balled up tightly and clutched to her chest, as if she already has a new gift in her possession and I am attempting to wrestle it away from her. Her eyes are large, pupils dialiated, because she anticipates she will have to physically defend her yet-to-be-received presents.
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By host on
8/19/2010 10:00 AM
Honestly, I don't think my kids would be any happier riding thrill rides at Disneyland than they were last night tunneling through the bracken. Times like these, I love the simple stuff.
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By host on
8/16/2010 9:31 AM
This weekend we had the great pleasure of being kid-free. Don't worry, we didn't duct tape them and lock them in the closet.
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By host on
5/17/2010 2:06 PM
Tips for safe and happy flying with kids.
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By host on
5/4/2010 7:53 AM
I'm frequently pondering, guessing, acting, second guessing, feeling guilty, apologizing...as is just about every other thinking parent I know. And above all, I'm doing the best I know how while still being human; hoping that listening to them, hugging them, and praying for them will cover all my failures and lead to the success and happiness I so desperately want for them.
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By host on
4/22/2010 8:53 AM
The job market for teens is at an all-time low. But that doesn't mean jobs aren't out there--or that teens don't benefit from having one beyond the financial compensation. If your teen wants a summer job, they should have started looking already. If they haven't, then they need to really get moving now. As with jobs for adults, in this economy you have to be very determined and contact a LOT of employers.
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By host on
4/20/2010 8:01 AM
I've been a long-time fan of chickens. When I was a kid, we used to visit my Aunt's farm and I thought going out to her coop and taking eggs out from under a soft, warm, cooing hen was just about the coolest thing in the world. When we were teens we kept hens for eggs for a year or so, and I loved that too. Foghorn Leghorn? Yup, I'm a fan! Omlettes? Yum! Henny Penny? Gotta love her.
So after years of pining for some happy cluckers and farm fresh brown eggs, I recently decided to get hens.
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By host on
3/22/2010 9:32 AM
Sometimes, our kids are afraid to try something new. It could be that they are afraid of failing, think they aren't interested, or are just plain lazy. Sometimes I'll notice that they are declining to do something I think they'd really enjoy if they just gave it a chance. That's where we, as parents, have to give the kids a metaphorical kick in the butt.
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By host on
3/15/2010 11:19 AM
So it gets down to the fact that while we feel we could provide a foster child with a safe, loving home, support, encouragement, positive discipline, etc. we are too overwhelmed by the system to feel we can care for the child, fulfil the requirements of the system, and continue to work and care for our own children (and protect them.)
And so, that is the end of our becoming foster parents, and least for now. We are terribly disappointed.
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By host on
3/2/2010 12:50 PM
This past weekend, we had a moment of doubt as we thought of everything coming up this month related to foster care--and felt stressed about having such a busy schedule. We wanted to make certain we would be able to handle this increased responsibility long term without feeling overwhelming stress or resentment towards the child.
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