With schools having closed in many countries, and increasing numbers of people here in the UK needing to self-isolate with children, I wanted to share with you a few ideas about how to survive at home with your kids. Now, I have four children between 5 and 10 and, much as I love them dearly, I am … [Read more...] about HOW TO SURVIVE SCHOOL CLOSURE AS A FAMILY
I WANT TO SAVE THE PLANET…BUT I’M LATE FOR THE SCHOOL RUN
Recently, a Hope Tribe member got in touch to share her concerns about the environment, and her guilt that, in the busyness and intensity of having young kids, she didn't feel like she was doing very much. I find it hard to be an environmentally friendly mum and meet the expectations that are … [Read more...] about I WANT TO SAVE THE PLANET…BUT I’M LATE FOR THE SCHOOL RUN
20 ZERO-WASTE SNACKS FOR CHILDREN
OK, so we all know we should be reducing our plastic use, right? But how many of us find this easy, least of all with busy families to manage and care for? As one Desertmum reader said (see I Want to Save the Planet...But I'm Late for the School Run), "I know I'm meant to not purchase fruit in … [Read more...] about 20 ZERO-WASTE SNACKS FOR CHILDREN
AVOIDANT ATTACHMENT IN CHILDREN: THE WHAT, WHY AND HOW
Parenting a child with attachment disorder is challenging work. If you're in the trenches right now, please know that you're not alone. I myself am an adoptive parent, and know what it's like to feel at your wits' end. My twins are 5 and a huge blessing to our family - but when their attachment … [Read more...] about AVOIDANT ATTACHMENT IN CHILDREN: THE WHAT, WHY AND HOW
THE AMBIVALENT ATTACHMENT CHILD: WHAT, WHY AND HOW?
Parenting any child who has attachment disorder is tough - as the adoptive parent of twin boys, I know this only too well. If you're up against it right now, I bring tidings of great joy: YOU ARE NOT ALONE. I find this tough, you find this tough, and thousands of others are finding it tough all … [Read more...] about THE AMBIVALENT ATTACHMENT CHILD: WHAT, WHY AND HOW?
UNDERSTANDING DISORGANIZED ATTACHMENT IN YOUR CHILD: WHAT, WHY AND HOW?
Friend, if you've stumbled upon this site because you're tearing your hair out over your child's behaviour and attitude, and wondering if attachment difficulties might be at the heart of it all, welcome. You are not alone - I'm an adoptive mum, and battle attachment difficulties every day with my … [Read more...] about UNDERSTANDING DISORGANIZED ATTACHMENT IN YOUR CHILD: WHAT, WHY AND HOW?
THE FOUR TYPES OF ATTACHMENT STYLES EXPLAINED
Even though I've been an adoptive parent for several years, the various different types of attachment styles in children still confuse me. It's a complicated area of psychology for sure - but in case we weren't perplexed enough, it turns out that different professionals use different words for … [Read more...] about THE FOUR TYPES OF ATTACHMENT STYLES EXPLAINED
THE BEST FAMILY WORSHIP SONGS (WHICH WON’T MAKE YOU CRINGE!)
We're big fans of music in our family, not least because I'm a Music graduate and my husband has always been an avid music-listener - both live and recorded. In fact, I often moan at him because he has to have music on in the background All.The.Time. The other night when we were trying to learn … [Read more...] about THE BEST FAMILY WORSHIP SONGS (WHICH WON’T MAKE YOU CRINGE!)
DO YOU HAVE TO TELL A CHILD THEY ARE ADOPTED?
There was a particularly poignant moment of our adoption preparation training which I remember for its tear-jerking tenderness. Let me back-track a little, for those of you who haven't had the pleasure of attending adoption training. In the UK it lasts for four days, and appears to have been … [Read more...] about DO YOU HAVE TO TELL A CHILD THEY ARE ADOPTED?