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Kicking Off Birthday Season in Braces & #SpreadTheKindness Link Up On the Edge #697
On Wednesday night, I said good night to a 10 year old. Yesterday, I said good morning to an 11 year old. Today, I am wondering how the years fly by so quickly when the days can feel exponentially long. Last Friday, we took both kids to the orthodontist to begin their respective treatments just in time for birthday season. Archie opted for Invisalign and is doing remarkably well with them. Ralph had some crowding issues that were preventing two adult teeth from coming in so he now has an expander and brackets with no wires. We have to keep expanding his little mouth until mid-April and then he returns…
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How to Show Up for Fostered Teens
As a foster carer of teenagers, you will have a lot of unique experiences. It is a highly rewarding role in that you get to make an astounding difference, and though this could be said of any age, it feels a bit more apparent at times with teenagers. Why? Because this is the age where it either all comes together or falls apart, and while this feels like a major responsibility, it is also a great opportunity to make a real difference. If you are a foster parent of teenaged children, here’s how you can show up for your fostered teens. Be consistent. The first thought when fostering teenagers is…
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7 Things to Include in a Foster Child’s Bedroom
If you are a foster parent or are considering becoming one, there are some basic necessities that you will want to include when furnishing a bedroom for your foster child. Preparing a bedroom for a child or children whom you have never met can be rather tricky. But giving your foster children their own space will help them feel at home, offer them safety and stability, and give them a little privacy which is incredibly important when settling into a new home and family. While you might have to make some changes based on the age and personal tastes of the child, this list provides you with 7 things to…
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5 Necessary Skills for Foster Caregivers
There are thousands of children in the UK and around the world who are in need of care, but the majority of them have not had the opportunity to receive support from the foster care system. Consequently, this means that both private and government agencies are desperate for foster caregivers to provide adequate resources for delivering first class care to more children in need. If you have ever contemplated fostering a child but you are unsure if it is right for you, consider the following 5 skills that are necessary for providing the best care to a child in need. 1. Clear Communication Foster carers need to have strong communication…
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How to Cope with a Difficult Pregnancy
Although I am a decade past my childbearing years, I have friends and readers of all ages, some who are still having babies and others who may be expecting the arrival of their grand-babies. While I was blessed to have two healthy pregnancies and deliver two healthy babies, I know that other women may experience difficulties during pregnancy. So I am providing this article for those women. When family planning begins and you finally get a positive pregnancy test, you might assume that the whole journey is going to be a wonderful time. And it is a wonderful time, however, the reality is that some pregnancies are not as easy…
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What to Buy for a New Foster Child
If you have applied to become a foster parent and are waiting to hear more about your placement, then you might be wondering what you are going to need to purchase to prepare your home for the new arrival. It is important to make sure that you are providing your foster child with a safe, stable, and loving environment where they can heal and thrive from whatever may have happened during their past. While it can be difficult to know exactly what to buy until your foster child arrives and you have had the chance to get to know them a little bit better, there are a few basics you…
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5 Essential Toys to Promote Children’s Imagination
Play and creativity are hugely important in the development of children especially during their younger years. The early years of childhood are the prime time when the human brain can most efficiently gather and process large quantities of data which is instrumental in childhood learning and growth. Children who are raised with a focus on the freedom to express themselves, discover their own ideas, and foster personal creativity generally find more fulfillment in their adult lives regardless of which path they choose in life. Although every child’s physiology will impact their inclination towards specific interests and their individual temperament, children can still be guided to enjoy creative pursuits with the…
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The Essential Back-to-School Checklist
Some people love when it’s time for back-to-school shopping because they get excited about the potential and opportunities that lie ahead with each new beginning. Others, however, may not be so thrilled about getting everything together all at once especially if you have waited until the final hour to start your back-to-school shopping. But with growing children and changing curricula, we can’t avoid the necessity of the school shopping experience. Our kids need all the things to start each new school year so they can stay abreast of their academic studies as well as their budding social lives. While back-to-school shopping can sometimes feel overwhelming with confusing supply lists and…
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How to Wear Meditation Beads & #SpreadTheKindness Link Up #284
Last month, I shared my Journey to Tranquility with Zen Spirit Malas where I featured my meditation beads (mala) that were created specifically for me by Katherine of Katherine’s Corner. The Shelbee Mala is available for sale on her website Zen Spirit Malas along with many other beautiful designs of meditation beads and spiritual jewelry. Katherine will also create custom meditation beads based on your personal needs. I still haven’t gotten my regular meditation schedule set nor have I really practiced using my beads yet, but I have been wearing them often because I get this wonderful sense of peace and calm the moment I slip them around my neck.…
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Festival Camping at Smoked Country Jam & Link Up On the Edge #301
We had the best weekend ever at Smoked Country Jam in the wilds of Pennsylvania. As usual, I did not take very many photos at all. I didn’t even take one single picture of the bands who played at the festival and I didn’t get any photos with any of my friends who I saw there. But it doesn’t matter because I was present and living in all of the beautiful moments that happen at festivals like these. About a thousand memories were made in those four days and that can happen with or without photographs. I combined the few pictures that I took with the few that Jeff took…