It is this time of year when all of our emotions seem to be living on our sleeve.

This is so very true when it comes to kids who are new to adoption or foster care. Children with Bi Polar Disorder or Oppisitional Defiant Disorder and other mental illness that include Depression.

Their inner pain often comes out at the very people whom they love and need the most. They often say "I don't love you.", "Leave me alone.". "Get out of my sight.", or "I hate you."

Usually this all comes out when they are angry. Later it may be followed... more

Last Fall my daughter Angela came home and she had a sad look on her face. All afternoon I watched her as she played and noticed that something was most definetly up. She was not responding to her dad and I with her usual joyful and sparkling eyes. Nor was she to attentive to her friends in the yard when they came over.

That night in bed as I rubbed her legs and feet. We began talking like usual. All of a sudden she asked "Mommy what does Adopted mean?"

I took a deep breath and I asked her why on earth she wanted to know something like that. She then... more

ODD or Opisitional Defiant Disorder as the therapist calls it. Is one of the most infuriating Disorders a child can have. It makes life as a parent very difficult at times.

Have you ever lived with someone who no matter what you have to say...challenges you and tells you are wrong and it is exact opposite of what you say?

You can handle it for a few hours, tolerate it for a few days...but it is a living hell when you have to put up with it 24/7 ...365 days a year.

If your child suffers from this disorder then you know what I mean. I adopted two... more

Sturge-Weber syndrome

Also known as: Dimitri’s hemangiomatosis syndrome Jahnke's syndrome (variant without glaucoma) Kalischer's syndrome Krabbe's syndrome II Lawford's syndrome Lawford’s meningocutaneous syndrome Miller's syndrome Parkes Weber-Dimitri syndrome Schirmer's syndrome Sturge's syndrome Sturge-Kalischer-Weber syndrome Sturge-Parkes Weber-Dimitri syndrome Sturge-Weber-Krabbe syndrome Sturge-Weber-Thoma syndrome Weber's syndrome Weber-Dimitri syndrome Is: A congenital disorder involving the brain, skin and eyes. It is characterized by portwine nevi on upper part... more

There are over 19 million American adults that suffer from depression. Now there are several case studies that have documented depression in children. Depression in children is often misdiagnosed because of the normal mood changes that growth brings on. But none the less depression is being seen in more and more cases of todays children.

We already know that antidepressants often cause suicidal thoughts in teenagers and teens who are on medication need to be evaluated and looked at more closely by a trained therapist.

What about pre teen children? What are the signs and causes of depression? What are the best treatments?

Signs of Depression in Children... more

Yep our world is full of creepy little things. From snails, ants and puppy dog tails.

But, there is one little critter that no body wants to experience. However most of our children in foster care and adoption along with school age kids often find out all about the little critter I am referring to.

If you guessed LICE....then you are correct. The schools are on the look out for those little buggers. They make your child's head itch. So if you see your child scratching you may want to check it out.

The old fables that only... more

HPV has been in the news a lot lately. It seems that the younger females are contracting the virus and it has become such an issue that they are trying to pass a law that will make it Mandatory to have an HPV Vaccination for all females at the sixth grade level.

We have just gotten used to Sex Education being taught in the schools and condoms being handed out by the school nurse. Now we are finding out what our actions of condoning sex education in school at a younger age is doing for our kids.

Young girls ages 10 and 11 are being sexually active and are showing up with HPV. In some women this virus is deadly and will turn to cancer if not treated.

So what are the... more

Well just like millions of children are rushing around getting ready to return to school. They are also falling into those nasty sinus infections and end of summer colds.

As parents we can tell when it is coming on when we hear the coughs, the sniffling and the "Mommy my throat is sore" or "Mommy my ear hurts."

It may be a good idea to take your child in for a quick check up. Keep some children's cold medicine on hand and make sure your Thermometer is in good working condition.

Using Antibacterial soap and hand wash is a good idea to insure germ control at home base. There are also some antibacterial hand cleaners on the market for when you are not able to wash your... more

It is a known fact that going back to school is not so exciting for some kids. They begin to feel sick to their stomachs and their nerves are on edge. Finger nail bitters are gnawing at the nails and it can be just an unpleasant time for some children.

Many adopted children feel upset and physically ill during this time of year. It could be changing schools or the fear of making new friends. But it in fact can become a physical illness if the child's emotional issues cross over and influence their nerves. When this happens a trip to the... more

Is your child: controlling, bossy, manipulative, defiant, sneaky, argumentative, demanding, impulsive, explosive, oppositional, lying, stealing, and underachieving? Do you feel: out of control, helpless, demoralized, guilty, inadequate, and emotionally exhausted?

If the answer to the above questions seem to be a LOUD CRY YES.......Then make sure you go on to read the rest of this informational web link.http://www.radconsultancy.com/

This RAD unit offers a complete different approach to counseling and therapy. They correspond with the parent of the child with all the issues (usually the mother). Once or twice a week over the phone. They say there... more