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, and popped it in [...]
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 when
you reveal what you know. [...]
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 to include in
the book. One [...]
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.
Night fears are concerns and [...]
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 return of night fears. [...]
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 I read and was inspired by [...]
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, etc? If you can [...]
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 or both are staring [...]
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 help them not take out their [...]
Continue reading about A Reader Writes: “Is Grief Counseling Necessary?”