"Intense. Stunning. Needed. Jillian's words will help you discover beauty in the unexpected."--LESLIE MEANS, creator of Her View From Home "Thoughtful and honest, Jillian's story of transformation reminds us that God is present and pursuing us, even in the most unexpected moments of our lives. Read and be changed."--KAYLA CRAIG, author of To Light Their Way and creator of Liturgies for Parents What if the unexpected is the beginning of becoming your truest self? Jillian Benfield was living life in the spotlight as a TV journalist, but after receiving a life-altering diagnosis for her unborn son, she realized no camera-ready outfit could dress up her grief. Overcoming this unexpected circumstance wasn't an option. She would have to undergo it instead. In doing so, she discovered who she was and who God wanted her to become. In this riveting story filled with grit and grace, Jillian helps you break down the false constructs you've built around God and your identity. You won't avoid your pain, but you'll learn to feel it, in a healing way. And you'll discover how your internal transformation leads to external purpose. No matter what you're going through, you're invited to open this gift: The Gift of the Unexpected

Fasten your seat belt as you take a journey with author Gayle Carson Lagman-Creswick, mother of four biological sons, two adopted daughters, and a grandson, as she meets head-on with the challenges put forth by daughter Mary, who unbeknownst to them, was born of a drug-addicted, biological mother. Gayle, a successful executive in the healthcare and retirement industry, becomes a single mom and is faced with the awesome task of dealing with normal child-rearing, plus the special needs of her two adopted daughters . all while pursuing a demanding career. Daughter Mary faces spoiling, sexual abuse, violence, hospitalization, and prison. This roller-coaster family comes face-to-face with stabbing, near explosions, and a point-blank gun event. This mother understands unconditional love, has a forgiving nature, and has a determination not to give up on this daughter, who is finally diagnosed and treated in her thirties for Bipolar Disorder.

As the need for child care services in the United States continues to grow, so does the debate about how effective child care policies should be shaped. It is more important than ever for legislators, public officials, advocacy groups, and concerned parents and citizens to focus on that debate and on the need to change policies and attitudes--changes that must take place if children and families are to have sufficient, affordable, and quality child care services.

This volume provides a balanced and thorough assessment of the child care field and a thought-provoking guide to the difficult choices that lie ahead. The authors, experts in child and family policy, examine important facts about major demographic and social developments, describe the effects of the Reagan administration's emphasis on privatization and deregulation, and analyze the contributions and limitations of several local and state initiatives. An invaluable source for everyone concerned with child care issues, this volume makes solid recommendations for shaping a much-needed child care policy that is responsive to the circumstances and needs of families and their children.

This is not your average activity book because it's not only heaps of fun but it will also teach you some amazing life skills to help you take control of your worries Worries come in all shapes and sizes and can creep up on us when we least expect them. They are like little clouds that float above our heads that seem at once menacing and threatening, stopping us from doing the things we really want and spoiling our fun. The Worry Workbook is here to help by explaining what worry is, offering creative ways to calm and distract yourself when worry strikes. Make a worry camera that captures fears and shrinks them into a manageable size. Colour in a mood tracker that explores the rainbow of everyday emotions. Write on the magic mirror of compliments to help recognize your strengths. Create your very own list of anti-worry actions to fight fear and keep smiling. Parents, this is for you: This book has been peer reviewed by a child psychologist, and there are explainers throughout just in case your child has questions about the activities.

Go the F**k to Sleep is a bedtime book for parents who live in the real world, where a few snoozing kitties and cutesy rhymes don't always send a toddler sailing off to dreamland.

Profane, affectionate and refreshingly honest, it captures the familiar and unspoken tribulations of putting your child to bed for the night.

Colourfully illustrated and hilariously funny, this is a breath of fresh air for parents new, old and expectant*.

(*You should probably not read this to your children.)

"There is so much that we can learn from the client/counsellor relationship that would help us understand what it is to be a child in a world full of adults and so enrich our parent/child relationships and all our child/adult relationships. Most importantly the counsellor can provide what was unavailable in early relationships. Key words in the relationship with the counsellor are: trust, closeness, intimacy, flexibility, encouragement, warmth, safety, mutuality, caring, compassion, kindness. These are words parents can incorporate into their relationships with their children as well." Jane Teverson expertly explains how counselling theory can be used by parents throughout the child's life, from infancy to adolescence, and makes a case for compassionate parenting. With helpful summaries at the end of each chapter and an accessible writing style, this book has a wide appeal. With real, usable advice and examples for parents, Born Beautiful is an essential addition to any parent's library.

No period in a woman's life is as filled with special concerns as pregnancy and new motherhood. Among the many discomforts and ailments treatable with the homeopathic remedies explained in this book are:
"For the mother" anemia, back pain, breastfeeding problems, constipation, exhaustion, hemorrhoids, insomnia, morning sickness, post-partum depression, sinusitis, varicose veins, yeast infections
"For the baby" breathing difficulties, chicken pox, constipation, cough, diaper rash, diarrhea, ear infection, hiccups, mumps, sleep problems, teething pains, vomiting
In" Homeopathy for Pregnancy, Birth, and Your Baby's First Year," practicing homeopath, Mirando Castro introduces readers to the many safe, effective, inexpensive, and nonmedical remedies that homeopathy has to offer women in this very important period. With reassuring, easy-to-read text, the book explains the principles of homeopathy and tells readers how to select the remedies that correlate to hundreds of common symptoms of physical and emotional distress. The book also offers natural ways to make labor and birth as relaxed as possible, using homeopathic methods.
Complete with case histories, "materia medica, " and supportive and helpful tips throughout, this guidebook offers a wealth of natural-health information every expentant mother should consider.

Parents of children with special needs are confronted with challenges and victories that forever change their lives, and the lives of their beautiful children. It is those challenges and victories that compel them to dream, to hope, to achieve the very best for their special angels. "Letters to My Special-Needs Child" is an inspirational journey that will forever change the way parents look at their special-needs child.

If there was ever a time of total transformation, it was the day their child was diagnosed with a disability. That day marked the beginning of a life full of challenges, but also, a life full of possibilities, a life full of experiences, a life full of lessons in living, loving, and learning. "Letters to My Special-Needs Child" is an invitation to embark on the most amazing journey; a journey that can only be experienced when parents open their hearts, minds and spirits, to the most precious gift that ever existed; their special-needs children. Welcome aboard to the beginning of a wonderful tomorrow.

In this work, the author of The Defiant Child tackles the thinking patterns and beliefs that almost always underlie depression in children and teenagers. He emphasizes how parents can talk to their children about what they are thinking and feeling. The book explores how children develop a negative set of beliefs about themselves and helps parents learn how to modify their children's self-perception. Chapters include discussion of: what to do when a child says I want to die; clinical stories about children who believe they are no good; children who cannot cope with extraordinary stress and develop an inner punitive voice; hints for parents of well-adapted children to avoid falling prey to low self-esteem bullies; and the professional treatment options, from counselling to medications.

Requiring only ten minutes a day, the program revealed in this groundbreaking book provides an effective, step-by-step method for helping children with Attention Deficit Disorder develop their special skills and individual learning styles and excel in a classroom setting.

Agonize no more, frustrated moms Moms with ADD is here to help. Rather than pathologize ADD or speculate on causes or medical rationales, Moms with ADD enables readers to recognize ADD and optimize their parenting skills. Filled with anecdotes, quotations, and examples, Christine A. Adamec, coauthor of Do You Have Attention Deficit Disorder?, offers practical coping strategies for family- and job-related concerns. This easy-to-read manual is guaranteed to make moms with ADD happier at home and in the office