Why Do Children Hoard Food? Autumn is here! Harvesting the fruits and vegetables here on the ranch has kept us busy! Here is a picture of my cowboy with some of our cabbage for kraut! I hope your stash is plentiful. As we move toward winter I have a feeling of safety when the food […]

I almost poisoned my dog last night!! Elan works hard and yes, I spoil her! I admit it, I share my food with her. (It is part of my weight loss program:>)) 2 bites for me…one bite for her. As I sat savoring a rich chocolate truffle from my friend Judy, Elan came and sat […]

What is Respite? Respite is defined as: “lifting a burden or pain”. When living with a challenging child, that means someone else takes the child and gives parents a break. This is essential for children over 5 that are wearing their parents down to the angry, screaming style of parenting. A respite provider MUST be […]

What’s your kryptonite? I was ruminating about it lately and have some ideas and dilemmas but I have DEFINITE PROOF that our children were born to be superheroes! Remember the details of Superman’s early life? He was born on the planet Krypton that was going to blow apart so his loving parents sent him to […]

by Nancy Thomas Why are our children looking for a super hero? Why is this such a HUGE issue for our kids? Do we have to wear spandex and a cape to qualify?  Children from Trauma are Looking for Protection Our challenging children are looking for a protector to keep them safe from whatever happened […]

by Nancy Thomas Patience is Priceless “Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting” says Joyce Meyer. Children often struggle with that skill as much as they struggle with self control. They are often impatient and anxious to have what they want or to have their […]

by Nancy Thomas There was a Huge Wall I first saw Anna across the circle from me. Her long blonde hair hung in a braid over her shoulder. She was wearing a beautiful handmade Mennonite style dress but what struck me the most were her eyes. They were cold, dark and vacant. The happy chatter […]

by Nancy Thomas Balancing Needs and Wants My father often used the phrase “Thanks a million!” I was reminded of that recently when I was in Oklahoma City with one of my favorite philosophers, Mary Ellen. She is a wise woman. My very favorite philosopher is, of course, Yoda, but Mary Ellen is a close […]

by Nancy Thomas We have adopted again! I know you think we are crazy after having three birth children, three adopted and about 100 foster kids over the years but it just happened! Yes, my cowboy is 73 years old! I can’t help it! I fell in love!! Now, let me tell you what has happened these […]

by Nancy Thomas Lies can become a “Hobby” for a Child with RAD A typical child will sometimes lie when confronted with misbehavior. A child with RAD, Reactive Attachment Disorder often enjoys lying so much it becomes “a hobby”. They will tell people they had spaghetti for dinner when they had steak. They will tell […]