By: coping, Ryan North, survival strategies
Tuesday, April 25, 2017There is a great parenting strategy I think we should all subscribe to; don’t remove a coping mechanism or survival strategy from a child unless you have something better to replace it with. Don’t create a vacuum if you are not prepared to fill it. Vacuums by definition cannot remain unfilled. If you’re not equipped [...]
Today marks one year since Dr. Karyn Purvis went home to be with Jesus. It’s hard to believe, and yet there is hardly a day that goes by that her wisdom, wit, and grace does not come to mind and enter into our parenting. We miss Karyn, but we are grateful that God gifted her [...]
By: Ryan North
Friday, March 31, 2017I recently presented at a conference for adoptive and foster parents. My assigned topic; Building Healthy Relationships and Boundaries with Your Biological Relatives. I was excited when the topic was first assigned to me. There are many books on the subject of boundaries, so preparation should have been easy, except that I couldn’t find many on [...]
By: Ryan North
Tuesday, November 1, 2016When I was a child, I wanted to be an airline pilot. I thought it would be the most romantic way to spend my days floating amongst the clouds. My dad traveled for work when I was a kid and when he came home, he would go down on one knee expecting a hug and [...]
By: Kayla North
Wednesday, August 3, 2016We strive to connect with our kids as we teach them new skills. Before we can take away a survival skill, we need to replace it with a new one. One of the things we often suggest to families is for them to do family nurture group in their home. Here’s how you can get [...]
By: Kayla North
Friday, April 8, 2016Would you love to have a simple parenting tool you can start implementing right away that will help you build trust with your kids? There is one simple word that can make a huge difference… “YES!” An easy way to begin giving our kids more yes’s is to make a Yes Jar. Here’s what you [...]
By: Colleen Derksen
Monday, November 23, 2015I took the kids camping all by myself this summer. Actually, a friend was there with her kids, and we were at a campsite in a town, but still… Anytime I tackle something like that without Brian, I’m going to consider it a major accomplishment! Anyway, the first night was a little rough. One of [...]
By: Kayla North
Saturday, March 28, 2015I don’t consider myself a lazy person. I am up early, I rarely sit down, and I always have a to-do list a mile long. I mean who has time to be lazy when you are a parent? Yet I find myself parenting lazy. I find myself saying ‘no’ to my kids out of laziness. I [...]
By: Colleen Derksen
Wednesday, February 25, 2015I’m learning over and over that we need to be proactive as parents when it comes to our kids’ emotional worlds. Instead of ignoring the situation and hoping it will go away, we need to face it head-on. This is the only way our kids will learn to manage and express their emotions in healthy ways.
By: Ryan North
Monday, February 16, 2015Let me start by saying that I believe most people mean well, but good intentions are just that, good intentions and nothing more. It always amazes me what complete strangers feel the liberty to say to people they don’t know. Some of the things I’ve heard as an adoptive dad have made me smile, grit [...]