What is empathy? Is it an inborn trait like personality? Or is it developed through a child's formative years. Can it be taught? Those are the questions I have been researching for the past month. Context? I wanted to find out why some social workers achieve better outcomes than others with families in crisis. In … Continue reading Empathy and Judgement: Bitter Enemies
The Monster Under the Bed
Warning: This is a tough topic to read about, especially if you have experienced unresolved sexual abuse in the past. I do not want you to experience any triggers or additional trauma. Angela In January, I started a series focused on the sexual exploitation of children. First I touched on protecting your children from "stranger … Continue reading The Monster Under the Bed
When the Bough Breaks
Remember the song? Rock a Bye Baby In the Tree Top When the Wind Blows The Cradle Will Rock. When the Bough Breaks The Cradle Will Fall And Down Will Come Baby Cradle and All. Those lyrics are really morbid if you dwell on them. A child perched high in a mighty tree but upon … Continue reading When the Bough Breaks
I have a Story to Tell: Zane
My story began the night of my birth. I emerged from the warm darkness of my mother's body into the cold darkness of a flat bed truck. Everything felt cold and unfriendly as I came into this world howling my displeasure of the transition. No loving arms cradled or comforted me. No soft words or … Continue reading I have a Story to Tell: Zane
When Its Time to Cut Bait
How many of you have heard the term... It's time to fish or cut bait? The modern context in which it has been widely used centered around a challenging deadline or an ambivalent situation that required an imminent decision. And in every context, it was used as a call to action. In other words... Do … Continue reading When Its Time to Cut Bait
Fighting Personal Demons
The cycle will remain unbroken until you break it... I have written much about the trauma behavior of abused children. But what about the abuser? Who bothers to think of the "why" behind their actions? Jan grew up as the middle girl between two other sisters for the first 13 years of her life. When … Continue reading Fighting Personal Demons
Be the Change
I notice how many people post, via social media, about the injustice in the world...the inequality...the unfair treatment of others. I can feel your outrage as the innocent and ordinary are often trampled by the powerful and self important. Rights are snatched away based on age, gender, race... The World can be a cold and … Continue reading Be the Change
Amber’s Mom
Foster Parenting: a true and ernest path for some...a Mission of Hope and Healing for those who are called. The road traveled, often paved with frustration, heartache and tears allows foster parents to play an integral part in the permanency for foster children. They choose the rocky road because, within themselves, they discover something stronger... … Continue reading Amber’s Mom
Does the Bunny know Where I Am?
It's Easter Sunday. Women and girls wear their new spring dresses. Many go to church to celebrate a risen King. Some stay home with family, cooking up Easter staples like Ham, macaroni and cheese, sweet potato casserole, deviled eggs and other treats traditional to each family. Children wake up Easter morning to dash into the … Continue reading Does the Bunny know Where I Am?
Taking on the Giant
If you grew up going to Sunday School, you know the story of David and Goliath. If you didn't; the story summary is thus. In a battle between warring factions, one side had recruited a Giant. Each morning this massive warrior would lumber to the front lines, taunting the other side with jeers and accusations … Continue reading Taking on the Giant
Water for Camels 