Search Results for: blog look whos talking

Cash-Strapped Parents Look to Hit Jackpot on TV Game Shows

I guess it beats scrounging around for loose change to buy lottery tickets. According to a new USA Today report, a record amount of laid off parents are looking to make ends meet by appearing on television game shows. Producers from popular game shows, such “Wheel of Fortune” and “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” say the recession has forced many moms and dads to look for creative ways to feed their children. Parents, who would have never dreamed of applying for a spot on a game show, are now standing in long lines to secure a spot on … Continue reading →

Are You Too Focused on Your Child’s Looks?

Let’s face it, we are a society that is obsessed with youth and external looks can seem incredibly important. As parents, it can also be hard NOT to focus on what our children look like—are they wearing the “right” clothes? Do they have the “right” haircut? Are their teeth straight? Is there a line that we cross, however, between what is reasonable and what is obsessive? Recently, I was talking to a parent whose child has just been diagnosed with eczema. One of my own children had allergies when she was a preschooler that manifested itself with eczema so I … Continue reading →

November in the Adoption Blog: Month in Review

I began the blog on All Saints Day with a tribute to certain “Saints” in U.S. Adoption and Pioneers in International Adoption. Then I wrote a tribute to the founder of my daughter’s Korean adoption agency, who has lived an exciting and multifaceted life and is remarkable for his humble concern for children. In honor of National Adoption Month, I wrote two blogs on Top Ten Myths about Adoption. For Part One, click here. For Part Two, click here. Then I wrote a blog about events on National Adoption Day, Saturday November 17. These events included finalizations of thousands of … Continue reading →

Resources for Talking About Skin Color

In recent blogs I have talked about my reaction when my four-year-old daughter said she didn’t like her skin; she wanted my skin. (She is Korean and has light tan/beige skin, I am Euro-American and very pale with pink undertones.) The first thing that came into my mind was a segment on the Sesame Street video “The Best of Elmo”. (Note: this is different from the “Best of Elmo’s World” videos.) One segment guest-stars Whoopi Goldberg. Elmo tells Whoopi that he likes her skin, and then says he wishes he could trade his red fur for Whoopi’s skin and hair. … Continue reading →

Stop talking dirty to yourself!

In Do you indulge in Stinkin’ Thinking, we looked at all the ways we tie ourselves up in knots by the way we think. Today we look at how to go about untying those knots, so that we can let go of self-limiting thoughts and behaviors and get on with our lives. • Identify negative thoughts Write them down so that you get them out of your head and down on paper where you can actually scrutinize them more carefully. Just seeing your thoughts written down can be the first step in recognizing them for what they mostly are: lies … Continue reading →

I HAD NO IDEA: A Story from a Mother whose Child was Sexually Abused by a Family Member.

Thank you to Karina who has shared her personal and sad story in the most public way. Megan I have four children, three girls and one boy. My husband died suddenly and I moved towns to live with my mother and step father. My mother married my stepfather when I was in my early teens. I have five full blood sisters and a half brother to my mother’s second marriage. I would have said we were a great blended family, supportive of each other, until my daughter disclosed that my stepfather was sexually abusing her. My older girls had attended … Continue reading →

Whose Baby Will Be Cuter?

Sorry Superman fans… the man of steel is no longer on the market. No, I’m not referring to television’s Superman, Dean Cain (thankfully, he’s still available). I’m talking about “Superman Returns” star, Brandon Routh. PEOPLE Magazine reports that Routh recently proposed to his girlfriend, actress Courtney Ford. The couple, who have been dating for three years, will no longer have to endure a long distance relationship (they were apart for five months while Routh was shooting “Superman Returns” in Australia) as they are set to costar in the upcoming short film “Denial” together. Routh tells PEOPLE unlike many celebrity couples, … Continue reading →

What to Expect When Your Kid Becomes a Tween

You may have been warned that your darling baby will become a teenager some day. There is plenty of advice out there about how to parent a teen. What appears to be lacking is the advice for parents whose children have suddenly become tweens. Here are some things to expect. What is a tween? In general, a tween is a person who is not a little kid anymore and who is not technically old enough to be an actual teenager. Teens are people who are 13 through 17. There is debate over whether an 18 or 19 year old is … Continue reading →

Why Kids and Smartphones Don’t Mix

No one said using a smartphone is a sure-fire way to avoid making stupid mistakes. I’ve covered the not-so wonderful side of technology in previous posts.  However, this latest gem goes beyond falling down manholes or setting expensive texting records. If you are a parent, you now have another reason to safeguard your smartphone when your kids are around. Paul Stoute is living proof that protecting your cellphone from little fingers is one of the smartest parenting moves you can make. The Oregon dad is the new owner of a vintage car, thanks to his toddler daughter’s cellphone skills. Or, … Continue reading →

Senseless Name Calling

Naming a newborn; it’s one of the most challenging and controversial decisions parents are faced with during their lifetime. Challenging because you are in sole control of strapping a child with the moniker he will likely live with until he’s six feet under. Controversial because the world is your judging your choice, and we all know how cruel others can be. I’m not big on parents who purposely call attention to themselves by bestowing strange names on their innocent offspring. Remember:  Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii, ESPN and Peanut? Who does that to a child? Of course, I wonder … Continue reading →