Search Results for: blog should i take my child to a sibling class

Baby Social Skills

One difficult stage in any baby’s life is the stage when they are more and more mobile, and still do not have the ability to communicate clearly. That is what we are currently facing with my 14 month old. He wants to be right in on the action with pretty much everything. He wants to be at our level while we are cooking so he can see what is going on. He wants to join in the fun with his siblings in their game of the moment. He wants to be able to communicate his feelings, but he just can’t. … Continue reading →

So, Where Will They Socialize?

One of the biggest concerns people have about homeschooling is the lack of social life the child will have as a result of being taught at home. Studies have debunked the myth that homeschooled children are not socially adapted … and other studies show these children to be behind their peers in social skills. It all depends on who runs the study. But that’s a topic for another day. The point is, human beings do need a certain amount of interaction with other human beings. I mean, look at Tarzan. He wasn’t the most civilized individual, having been raised with … Continue reading →

My passion for this cause…

It’s becoming irrational. I wish I could fully express it, I wish I could make you understand, and I wish I could make you feel it too. I mentioned in an earlier post that I remember, from my childhood, wondering why more people didn’t adopt. I remember having the understanding that there were children who desperately needed homes and not understanding why more people didn’t take them in. I remember discussing adoption with my husband. I remember when we realized that we were in a position to do this, that we had reached a point where we felt ready, and … Continue reading →

Bonding Over Sugar

Gingerbread kids have invaded our home. My daughter’s first grade class has adopted Gingerbread Fred as its holiday mascot, and for four days straight she begged me to make him a brother, and a sister, and a dog. I wasn’t quite sure how I was going to fit baking a band of brothers and sisters for a cookie kid into my already tight pre-Christmas schedule. However, thanks to some creative reconfiguring I was able to grant my daughter’s wish. Not only did we bake some sweet siblings for Fred, but we also were able to construct him a gingerbread and … Continue reading →

Masterly Inactivity: Go Play!

The demands placed on children today to learn and perform can cause quite a bit of stress. While I encourage a challenging environment and think nothing ill of competition, especially when engaged with oneself, there is a time to play. Children learn through play and express what they have learned through play. Masterly inactivity is when a parent steps back and allows the child the freedom to play within boundaries. Every mom needs time to relax and step out of the front of the classroom as much as every child needs time to play. What is Masterly Inactivity? Masterly inactivity … Continue reading →

Preparing Your Toddler For The New Addition

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For her entire life, you toddler has had you all to herself. Depending on her age, she may or may not understand your pregnancy and what it means for your family’s future. Once the new baby is born, however, there’s no question her life is going to change. She may love it and become mommy’s little helper, but what if she has a hard time adjusting? How can you help your toddler adjust to being a big sister or a big brother and help encourage a strong bond between the two new siblings? It starts during your pregnancy, of course. … Continue reading →

Siblings Can Teach Social Skills

Many children who have Asperger’s Syndrome struggle with social situations. While other kids naturally learn to discern between when someone is serious and when they are telling a joke, the differentiation can be difficult for children with Asperger’s syndrome. Often, social skills need to be specifically taught, and practiced, (just as a new math skill would be). One good way to do that is to get the siblings of the child who has Asperger’s syndrome involved. I was a senior in high school when my brother, (who has Asperger’s Syndrome), was a freshman. This gave me the unique ability to … Continue reading →

Sleep and Your Preschooler

I have a guilty secret. My daughter sometimes – dare I say, often – goes to bed late. She also sleeps in. With the onset of kindergarten next year and its earlier arrival times, we’re going to have to change this. However, in a family with two parents who are working outside the home, I find it to be a struggle to get her in bed by 8 pm. After all, my husband arrives home at dinner time, we eat, and then it would be bed time. On the days when I work outside the home, dinner tends to be … Continue reading →

Can Education Influence Teen Pregnancy and Adoption?

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My last few blogs have dealt with educating young people. I started with suggesting that children at the elementary age learn about adoption and also about how to access community resources for various needs. (When I worked on an information and referral phone line at a Family Resource Center, I had one volunteer, a woman of about sixty, who suggested we have a training session on how to use the phone book. I learned not to assume anything regarding education.) I mentioned a class called Crib Notes written by Lyn, our education blogger here at Families.com, which teaches middle school … Continue reading →

Other Considerations in Adopting When You Already Have Children

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My last blog talked about how your other children will handle becoming a visibly different (or even more different) family. In addition to getting used to stares, your children will be asked questions about adoption. How will you help your children to answer these? One resource can be the WISE UP Powerbook, a workbook (designed for adopted kids, but it could be adapted for use by a sibling, child with a disability, or anyone who gets asked intrusive questions. It helps kids consider whether they wish to Walk away, say “It’s private”, Share something small, or Eduate people about adoption. … Continue reading →