As Christmas Day draws to a sleepy close, I thought I’d share something I did for my kids today. Since I’m a writer, I decided to give them each a gift of words that describe something I admire about each one. I rolled up each sheet of sentiments (four in all), rubber- banded it tight, […]
NOTE: HOLIDAY SCHEDULE I will post twice per week from now until January 11. Happy Holidays! What do you say when your daughter asks you the proverbial question: Do you believe in Santa Claus? Experience tells us there are many advantages to letting your child come to her own conclusion. Some kids get extremely upset […]
This week, Mama J will be posting on Friday instead of Thursday. Have a super day. Mama J is a writer, parent, and stepparent located in Northern Colorado.
Wondering how to relate to your second set of in-laws? If all else fails, keep the spotlight on their relationship with your stepchildren (their grandchildren). That is the relationship that most needs to flourish. When I started obtaining endorsements for my book, Stepparenting the Grieving Child, I picked up a lot of advice about what […]
In last Thursday’s post I asked for feedback about night fears and received some really great comments, both on this blog and over my e-mail. As comments came in, I was reminded of the importance of vocabulary. The term “night fears” is so close to “night terrors” that I thought it worth distinguishing between the two. […]
Today I simply have a question for you all. I’d love to hear from parents who have experienced the return of night fears in the eight- nine-ten-year old age group. I remember reading somewhere (I am dredging my memory for the source and coming up with nothing) that this is a common age for the […]
Life appears to be too short to be spent in nursing animosity or registering wrong. — Charlotte Bronte I have been struggling with what I perceive as a phase in the relationship with one of my stepchildren. I’ve been feeling rejected, as if I’m not a person of any significance in this child’s life. Then […]
One piece of parenting advice that has stuck with me through the years is the phrase “wait thirty days.” I don’t remember the source, but I’ll explain why it had to be someone very wise. Does your young lady rush in the door after school, proclaiming her need for the latest music, book, toy, fashion, […]
Last week (Thanksgiving) we talked about showing gratitude all year long. One of the ways I do this is to randomly drop someone a thank- you note or card even when there wasn’t a gift given. Then there are the occasions when gifts have been given. You know that feeling – you or your daughter […]
I’ve gotten some thought-provoking inquiries on my Stepparenting the Grieving Child website. Today I’m sharing a question about whether grief counseling is necessary for stepfamily members who lost a spouse or a parent. Here is the actual question: “Is it necessary for grief counseling for the biological parent and the children that [have lost] to […]
Continue reading about A Reader Writes: “Is Grief Counseling Necessary?”