April is Child Abuse Awareness Month—a time to shine a light on an issue that affects millions of children around the world. It is a call to action, a reminder that every child deserves to grow up in an environment filled with love, safety, and...
I think every parent feels this struggle to some degree. As kids grow up, they are exposed all the time to things that could steal their innocence. While we need to ensure they have the skills they need to face the world, we need to...
Teenage rebellion is nothing new. Rebellious children have been around since the first children inhabited the earth. Remember Cain and Abel? So, what should you do about it? Run from the battle? Raise the white flag and surrender in defeat? Go to war with guns...
There are times when, despite our best efforts, teenagers shut us out. We’ll ask what’s going on, and they either shun us or give one-word answers. No matter why they’ve stopped talking to you, it’s important to do whatever you can to maintain this relationship....
Our world is so fast-paced that it’s easy to bypass good manners - manners we really do think are important to teach our kids - for the sake of efficiency. Here are 5 examples of good manners that are worth being intentional about, even in...
“Back to School” means different things to different folks. August is here and along with a new school year, it brings a variety of feelings along with it. Some may be wondering how summer possibly passed by so quickly and dread giving up the more relaxed...
The historical contributions of people of color are undeniable. From the courageous work of Harriet Tubman to free enslaved people through the underground railroad to the amazing minds of NASA’s West Computers, to the courage and fortitude of the Little Rock Nine, to Rosa Parks's...
When families are considering fostering and they have biological children in their home, they always ask what impact fostering could have on their children. This is a wise question-one every family should ask. The reality is, however, that a majority of the time they are...
As our kids return to school after the summer break the question comes to mind - Why is it important for children to have responsibilities and routines? Routines help children feel safe, develop life skills, and build healthy habits. Routines help parents feel organized, reduce stress,...
Today my heart hurts. Today I am frustrated. I’m fielding calls from other agencies wondering if we might have any connections for the possible placement of a traumatized teenager. Meanwhile we are advocating for multiple teenagers in the same situation. Teens in facilities because there...