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You are here: Home / Archives for parenting

The Day She No Longer Felt Adopted

October 5, 2017 By Melanie

This morning Lydia stood in the bathroom. She was wearing one of my favorite shirts I bought for her before she came home from China. The shirt is mint green and says “Do Small Things with Great Love.” It is a little small now but it still fits her or maybe it was too big before… [Read More]

Our Disney’s Preschool Playdate: Creating Inclusive Parties #DisneyKids

May 16, 2017 By Melanie

Disclaimer: I received free products in order to host a #DisneyKids Preschool Playdate. The opinions expressed are my own. One of the challenges of having a child with special needs is finding opportunities for enjoyable an fun play-dates. While my kids are fortunate that they have a large peer group at school, it is often… [Read More]

To My Daughter’s Cheer Coaches

April 26, 2017 By Melanie

Lulu was just 4 years old, I took her to first all-star cheer gym. The gym had a little picket fence separating the sitting area from the large blue spring floor. There was no AC in the gym, the doors were open and mega fans were drowning out the noise on the floor. She stood mesmerized. Her little toes pressed… [Read More]

Book Praise: Real MVP Kids Celebrates Diversity in a new Children’s Book Series

March 15, 2017 By Melanie

One of the great things about being in adoption groups is getting to know a variety of families. A few weeks ago another mom shared a new children’s book series that hopes to expose children to a variety cultures, abilities and experiences. After checking out their Kickstarter campaign, I reached out to one of the… [Read More]

Planning a Kindness Filled Year (Free Printable)

December 28, 2016 By Melanie

Random Acts of Kindness We have all heard of them. Maybe we have been the recipient of having our coffee paid for in the line at Starbucks. Maybe we “elfed” a neighbors house during the holiday. Either way, we know that Random Acts of Kindness are small opportunities to make a large impact in the… [Read More]

Praise: Milton the Mealtime Companion Helps Kids Eat Healthy

August 22, 2016 By Melanie

There isn’t a parent in the world that hasn’t struggled with trying to get their children to try (and eat) a variety of foods. Vegetables, starches, fruits, meats, dairy. You name it, every tyke I know has gone through at least one food aversion period. With my last two kids (Lulu and Ezra), I spent… [Read More]

Why We Chose a Balance Bike for Our Preschooler

June 28, 2016 By Melanie

Disclaimer: I paid full price for the product mentioned in this review however I have included (*) affiliate links. All funds raised through Amazon links help support our adoption. My little guy turned 3 a couple of weeks ago and I knew that I wanted to get him a bike. He loves taking rides in… [Read More]

Deafness: Where are the 90%?

June 22, 2016 By Melanie

Shortly after Nyle Demarco won the coveted mirror ball a  NY Times post entitled Parents of Deaf Children, Stuck in the Middle of an Argument began making the rounds on Facebook. There was a beautiful picture of Nyle DiMarco and Peta as click bait for the reader but it wasn’t an article applauding Nyle’s accomplishment, no, it was another article bemoaning… [Read More]

The Mom (of three kids) Parking Spot

May 25, 2016 By Melanie

Yesterday I met a friend at the movies. I had followed her from a restaurant and she waved me into a spot next to her. When I first pulled in I quickly noticed that there was a parking sign clearly marking this spot as “Senior Parking.” Now, I am old but I am not that… [Read More]

Mother’s Day, Both Bitter & Sweet

May 8, 2016 By Melanie

This mother’s day has been so deeply contradictory. It has been both amazingly joyful and breathtakingly sad. I have struggled with missing my mother and and simultaneously celebrating being a mom. Missing a daughter I have not yet met and praying for a mother that gave the ultimate sacrifice for her child. It’s like a… [Read More]

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