Adoption and Family
Parenting by adoption is bigger, louder, and often harder to start with. From the assessment and waiting process to the adoption probation period, it can seem endless and like it will never happen. Then you get the call and your life changes forever in a miraculous way. But what next? Sure there is often a honeymoon and parenting is a blessing no matter how you get there. It is a new adventure every single day. AND also adoption comes with numerous other ups and downs.
Find Your Supports Early and Stick With Them
Very often there's minimal support for adoptive parents and families after they leave the courthouse finalizing their adoptions. Consider this your supportive honest space where we share what's worked, what doesn't work, and all the challenges in between. Share your stories, learn and grow together.-
14 Life Skills For Teens To Learn During Quarantine
Let’s talk Quaranteens…you know teens in quarantine. My oldest daughter has been doing a lot of baking and finding ways to keep busy during the quarantine. So, this post is one we worked on together. Staving off boredom has been a daily goal here in my home. Some days that’s baking and other days that’s building life skills for teens. While we are trying to work on online schooling, and often also failing dramatically, there are a lot of other life skills for teens that we’ve been working on to fill the time and keep moving forward. Self esteem, mental health and health are actually more important goals here right…
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Parenting Through the Pandemic – Life Kicks it Up a Notch
Isn’t it crazy how life sometimes kicks it up a notch out of nowhere? Parenting through the pandemic has definitely been like that here. Week Nine went like this… Two weeks ago we were coasting along doing Tickety Boo, a phrase I once found charming and a favourite of my now deceased mother-in-law. But cute phrases aside, I was all set to write the WE ARE ROCKING Pandemic Life post. I was even contemplating having the T-Shirts custom made (not really), when out of the blue everyone broke. That’s right. Everyone broke. Everything. Week Nine of Pandemic Parenting It’s like: Oh Hey Paula, you thought you were doing great? PSYCH.…
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Tasty and Easy Air Fryer Cheese Sticks
I have been wanting to make some air fryer cheese sticks forever. Love my air fryer! Any excuse to make a recipe in there is worth taking time to explore. Stay tuned for more air fryer recipes coming up soon. Post may contain affiliate links as a service to readers. I receive a small commission off of qualifying purchases made via links. Mozzarella sticks and cheese sticks are a favourite of mine. My oldest daughter loves them too. Honestly, what’s not to love about cheese melted in a tiny handy bite-sized snack form? In fact, I used to go out of my way to find a Burger King drive through…
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Keep Growing and Reading with these Dinosaur Books
As you know, many kids in Ontario and many other Canadian provinces have moved on to online school. While that process for me is a bit up and down, some weeks I have loved it and others not so much, I have used this opportunity to add more literature and entertaining educational books to my home. I received these DK Canada Dinosaur Books for consideration here. Post may contain affiliate links as a service to my readers. I receive a small commission on qualifying purchases. My opinion is all my own. For me, right now, as a parent, it’s more important to protect my kid’s mental health and allow them…
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Our Pandemic Story Week Seven Online School
Every week of the pandemic has arrived with a new theme. Know what I mean? But, oh my God, this week was not my favourite. This is week seven of our pandemic story and online school. I was all set to write a pandemic story about how well we were doing, making the best of this social distancing/ quarantine/ lockdown situation. On the weekend, I literally said out loud: “I am so proud of all of us. We get up and get dressed every single day and we try to do something, do work, take a walk, go for a quick hike. Bake or make or create a project, food,…
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Things to Do Before You Start First Year University
By Payton Schuck Note from Paula – My daughter Payton starts university in September. First Year University! Let me first of all say, we are so proud of Payton and can’t wait for her to start, but also it seems like it was yesterday when I was dropping her off for her first day of kindergarten and here we are almost starting university. She graduated from high school and has been accepted at her top three choices. Two of those are in town and her top choice came through first, so that was exciting to see. Her face lit up that day when she got the first acceptance email and…
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Cute Pink Mother’s Day Writing Worksheet
It’s getting close to Mother’s Day and I know a few of your kids will be looking for amazing and sweet gifts for you. This Mother’s Day Writing Worksheet is a fun little way for them to pay tribute to you. Of course, this year what could be cute is if you send this to a child that you know. You could email it, print it out and mail it out to your niece or nephew. The beauty of this one is that kids can personalize it and also they can practice their writing or printing. If you are a Mom, an Aunt or a special caregiver, guardian, foster care…
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Indoor Scavenger Hunt – Easy Activities For Rainy Days
OH my goodness, these days during the pandemic we are getting increasingly clever at doing things while social distancing. We parents are smart at the best of times and even smarter, or maybe more resourceful, especially now during a pandemic. I mean, who would have thought that we’d be hunting down ways to amuse kids after shifting everything to help our kids embrace distance learning during this time. This Indoor Scavenger Hunt post contains affiliate links as a service to my readers. I make a small commission via qualifying links. Keeping Kids Busy Indoors There are so many ways to keep kids occupied even indoors. If you are hunting for…
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Inspirational TED Talks for Teens
Inspirational TED Talks can be great for anyone, but teenagers, in particular can really benefit from these 18-minute or less talks that can cover almost any topic. Teen years are hard slogging and watching them struggle sometimes as parents is so challenging. If you can remember your teen years, you’ll probably easily recall the angst and fear and general uncertainty. Right now, that angst and anxiety is running even higher for most because of the pandemic. That’s where inspirational TED Talks come in. Inspirational TED Talks to Ease the Teen Years From zits and breakups to proms and makeups, the teen years are arguably some of the hardest anyone will…
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All of the Best Hope Quotes to Lift You Up
These days hope is either nowhere or everywhere you look. I choose everywhere. Now is not an easy time at all. Many are worrying over jobs and health and the global pandemic of course. So, I thought these hope quotes could be slightly comforting right now. Of course, I am fully aware that hope quotes are mighty small arrows in the quiver when it comes to all the insults being hurled our way right now. Without hope we are all aimless wanderers on a shared planet. I choose hope always. What’s your favourite hopeful quote? Famous Authors “Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul And sings the tune…