|
|
by Marisue Alsobrook
Are You Parenting in the Fast Food Lane? Do you find that your parenting time seems Hit and Miss? These 5 Parenting Basics can keep your family from melting down from busy schedules, stress, and life’s daily trials.
Introduction: No one is any busier than a working parent, unless it’s a single working parent. With [...]
By Marisue Alsobrook
Introduction: After parenting my own 3 children and over 250 foster kids, I have become a believer in the Family Meeting. Do a little research, guides and examples are helpful, copy success of others at first, then do what works for you. One Basic Rule and it will be repeated here often: KEEP [...]
by Marisue Alsobrook
Introduction: Anger is a fact of life, but it doesn’t have to be your whole life. Angry as you may feel, you haven’t invented the emotion and most likely your situation has links to others who have experienced something similar. To know that you’re not alone can be comforting news.
Anger has been around [...]
by Marisue Alsobrook
I’ve been climbing the tall ladder of foster parenting for the last 18 years, have parented over 250 children (not all at the same time, of course) and have 3 children of my own, two of whom are adopted. My three sons are pure joy, my husband and I are devoted to them completely [...]
By Marisue Alsobrook
Introduction: Some of life’s most important links are built during Family Meetings. Family Meetings can help you link together as a family, improving your relationship with each other in the short term and perhaps for life.
However, the meetings are not easy, in fact, sometimes you might feel as though it’s just too chaotic. [...]
By Marisue Alsobrook
Introduction: Anger Management sounds so easy. Like ordering fast food, let’s just have some. Actually, it’s a lifestyle, and because of that, anger management takes time to learn and “grow.” This fresh new attitude can be created with desire and determination. It bears wonderful fruit. The comfort zone that develops is so “good” [...]
By: Marisue Alsobrook
If I had to say one thing about parenting, I’d say that effective parenting is built one moment at a time. Raising kids is a process, not an event. Are we expecting perfection? Remember age and stage, think about what it’s like to be a child. Love them, listen to them, and think [...]
by Marisue Alsobrook
Introduction: Do you have someone close to you who is in grief? Are you struggling trying to talk to those in pain? I know you want to help. Sometimes the best thing to say is nothing much. Please avoid giving well meaning advice. Listen. Make comforting sounds. Hug or don’t hug. Be there. [...]
For many years, I have talked with families about how to strengthen their bonds and relationships, both as spouses, and parents. One characteristic of strong families continues to stand out among the rest. Families who spend time together, are strong. It’s that simple.
As arguments and difference become evident, don’t avoid the issue or each [...]
Foster Parenting is one of the hardest things you’ll ever do. Good intentions will not take you far. You need tools; this is not a playground you have entered. These are real kids, children and families in crisis. You will get mad, sick, you will be exhausted and think you are not being treated fairly by the state. You will think the state is not being fair to the child and many times you will work with a system that moves at the speed of a turtle.
Be flexible, be careful, be there. Here’s are some things you need to know.
|
About the Author As a mom, former foster parent, educator, family counselor, and business manager, I've walked many paths and write about them here. My university degree was in childhood development and since then I've taught elementary school classes, held parenting seminars, raised three boys of my own and foster parented over 250 kids and teenagers.
My husband, Lynn endured a long time career in law enforcement investigating hard crimes, sex crimes, and domestic violence. Together, our work has given us experiences that were tough, and we hope valuable to others. For a few years, Lynn transported federal prisoners as a Deputy Air Marshall. There, confined on a jet, and wrapped in chains, he saw firsthand where wrong choices land both young and old. Our journeys are full of opportunites, challenges, choices, and we live with our decisions. We tried to help those we came into contact with, but we failed many times. I think life is more about failure than successes and once we realize that, we have less heartache, taking defeat less personally, seeing the experience for what it is, a lesson. If you can, while you are still here on earth, bend down, and lift another up. It's worth it. You'll find that in doing so, your own burdens are lighter. It just happens. Let's talk.
We grew along with the kids we raised. We've made some mistakes, lived over them, and enjoyed some successes. We want to talk about it all, and hope it helps you.
If you'd like to contribute your own essays, or put in your two cents, please leave a comment or use the Contact Us page, and we'll get back to you soon!
|
Loading ...
Email This Article
Print This Article
(2 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)
(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
Recent Comments