Archive for April 2013

Adoption Retrospective, Ten Years Later: Life is Pain, Highness

Adoption Retrospective, Ten Years Later: Life is Pain, Highness
It has been ten years since we began our adoption journey.  In honor of the passing of time, I will be publishing one post each month in 2013 that reflects on our lives in 2003. Please read the January, 2003 post , February, 2003 Post, and March, 2003 Post. It is April 26, 2003.  Andrew’s... Read more »
By Carrie Goldman,
April 29, 2013 at 10:54 am • 

The STUCK Documentary Tour: Getting Kids Into Families

The STUCK Documentary Tour: Getting Kids Into Families
When Craig Juntunen was 51 years old, he and his wife adopted three kids from Haiti.  “I never thought I would be a dad,” he told me.  “I retired at age 42.  There was a lot of golf in my life, and I thought that would be it.  But then we adopted these kids, and... Read more »
By Carrie Goldman,
April 24, 2013 at 5:04 pm • 

Sexual Assault Awareness Month: When Kids Hurt Other Kids

Sexual Assault Awareness Month: When Kids Hurt Other Kids
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.   This is the second guest post I have featured from a survivor of sexual assault.  In this woman’s story, she bravely sheds light on a terrible truth within the world of sexual abuse: older children are sometimes the ones who hurt younger children.  This story is also a painful... Read more »
By Carrie Goldman,
April 22, 2013 at 6:50 am • 
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10 Ways to Help Kids Preserve a Sense of Security after the Boston Marathon Bombings

10 Ways to Help Kids Preserve a Sense of Security after the Boston Marathon Bombings
Two days ago, my third grader came home from school and told me, “My friends are really scared because the police haven’t found the person who set off the bombs at the Boston Marathon.”  Then she looked at me earnestly and continued, “If there was a bomb at our school, I wouldn’t stop to put... Read more »
By Carrie Goldman,
April 19, 2013 at 10:35 am • 

A Survivor of Childhood Sexual Assault Speaks Out and Offers Advice

A Survivor of Childhood Sexual Assault Speaks Out and Offers Advice
Attention readers: The following guest post contains intense imagery and is being featured because April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.  If you have been the victim of a sexual assault, this post may be triggering or unusually difficult for you to read, so please be aware before proceeding. By Misty Kay Campbell It has been... Read more »
By Carrie Goldman,
April 18, 2013 at 7:36 am • 

Annie Fox: Teaching Kids To Be Good People

Annie Fox: Teaching Kids To Be Good People
Several years ago, as I began conducting research into social conflict and peer victimization, several people suggested I call parenting guru Annie Fox.  “She is amazing,” my new blogger friend Sarah told me.  I found Annie’s website and sent her a message.  One of the BEST moves ever!  She called me back within the day,... Read more »
By Carrie Goldman,
April 14, 2013 at 8:10 pm • 
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Metamorphosis: For My Daughter on her Sixth Birthday

I was terrified when I became pregnant with AR.  I feared it would be the stupidest thing I ever did.  After all, four years earlier, we had learned from baby Matthew’s autopsy that we had a 1-in-4 re-occurrence risk for the kidney disease we carry.  Adopting K was the start of a new life for... Read more »
By Carrie Goldman,
April 11, 2013 at 1:20 pm • 

Five Ways to Help Bond with an Adopted or Foster Child

Five Ways to Help Bond with an Adopted or Foster Child
The following guest post was written by Amanda Carlson, a former newborn care nurse, specifically to provide suggestions to help adoptive and foster parents bond with their new children. 1. Routines – Developing a steady routine is good for any child regardless of age. One of the most common is that of the bedtime routine.  Telling... Read more »
By Carrie Goldman,
April 8, 2013 at 1:51 pm • 

"I'm not like you! You're not adopted!"

Yesterday, I was driving my 9-yr-old daughter K to her ballet class.  In the half-hour prior to leaving for ballet class, K had been working on math homework, and she had grown frustrated with some of the problems.  I decided it would be helpful if we practiced some of the concepts in the car, and... Read more »
By Carrie Goldman,
April 5, 2013 at 1:58 pm • 
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Infinite Loyalty to a Sister

5-yr-old Annie Rose is a person of extremes.  When I give her steak for dinner, or when I bring a cookie for her in the car after school pick-up, she emphatically proclaims, “You are the BEST Mama in the whole world.” When I put her in time out, or tell her that no, she cannot... Read more »
By Carrie Goldman,
April 4, 2013 at 2:48 pm •