"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

Paul provides specific tools that parents can work with to make their children lifelong lovers of reading and writing. As a former teacher in the public school system, Paul is well acquainted with it, and provides parents with insights that will assist them in establishing an educational partnership with their children's teachers.

This guide is geared specifically to Black children from the perspective of an educator and parent. It provides a historical framework that gives a firm foundation upon which to build an understanding of literacy as potentially emancipatory and empowering. This guide includes an annotated bibliography featuring exemplary children's and adolescent literature.

Spanning twenty years in the lives of a special young man and his mother, "Attics of the Mind" is a compelling account of Laura Lustig's journey in raising her son, Jesse, who has mental and physical challenges. Jesse seems just like any other child for the first few months of life. But as the ages pass when he should be achieving developmental milestones-crawling, walking, and talking-Laura knows something is not right. Jesse is soon diagnosed with cerebral palsy and its complications, changing the lives of everyone in the Lustig family. In "Attics of the Mind," Laura expresses her innermost doubts, emotional pain, coping strategies, and the strengths she developed in dealing with her child's needs within his home, social, and educational environments. She also introduces us to other families and to the hidden qualities of the children with whom she worked. For current and future parents as well as professionals, Laura's experiences provide an inside look at the courage and fortitude needed by parents and gives new insights to light the way. Dramatic, poignant, and tender, "Attics of the Mind" is a testimony to the truly heroic efforts of parents who cope with adversity, and the special bonds forged in caring for a child with special needs.

There's hope for childhood. Despite a perfect storm of hostile forces that are robbing children of a healthy childhood, courageous parents and teachers who know what's best for children are turning the tide. Johann Christoph Arnold, whose books on education, parenting, and relationships have helped more than a million readers through life's challenges, draws on the stories and voices of parents and educators on the ground, and a wealth of personal experience. He surveys the drastic changes in the lives of children, but also the groundswell of grassroots advocacy and action that he believes will lead to the triumph of common sense and time-tested wisdom. Arnold takes on technology, standardized testing, overstimulation, academic pressure, marketing to children, over-diagnosis and much more, calling on everyone who loves children to combat these threats to childhood and find creative ways to help children flourish. Every parent, teacher, and childcare provider has the power to make a difference, by giving children time to play, access to nature, and personal attention, and most of all, by defending their right to remain children.

The American Psychiatric Association estimates that sixteen percent of children in the United States may have oppositional defiant disorder. These kids relentlessly push the boundaries set for them by authority figures. By exploring the mindset of O.D.D. children and explaining the way they operate, Dr. Douglas Riley teaches parents how to recognize the signs and modify the behavior of their O.D.D. child.

What does it mean to be good? Why do people die? What is friendship? Children enter the world full of questions and wrestle with deep, thoughtful issues, even if they do not always wonder them aloud. Many parents have the desire to discuss philosophical ideas with their children, but are unsure how to do so. The Philosophical Child offers parents guidance on how to gently approach philosophical questions with children of all ages. Jana Mohr Lone argues that for children to mature emotionally, they must develop their desire and ability to think abstractly about themselves and their experiences. This book suggests easy ways that parents can engage with their children's philosophical questions and help them develop their "philosophical selves."

In his book Daddyhood, Charles Blount, well-known author of Whatever Happened to Charlie Boy continues his journey to break the chain of abuse and neglect, which he vividly describes in the story about Charlie Boy. Mr. Blount poses the question, "What is a Daddy?" and presents in convincing argument that, though any man can become a father, it takes lots of work and something special to become a "Daddy." The author presents his argument through the personal experience of marriage, childbirth and divorce. He also argues that even the break-up of a marriage does not have to mark the end of a family, and for the sake of one's child, should not. In a series of simple rules, Mr. Blount shows the reader how to accomplish this for the good of your child and your own well being; good advice for anyone wanting the best for their family.

Foster parents need wisdom to guide foster children to enable them to have a meaningful experience. This book, written by a pediatrician, with the help of foster parents, provides guidance and suggestions to maximize the experience for foster families and assist them in the process. With the help of many foster parents, this book contains practical suggestions for those who care for foster children. It addresses many of the major and minor problems that may arise. This book contains easily understood discussions of those problems with practical suggestions for resolving them, including when to call in a professional. Although various trends in child welfare are discussed, it is important to note that this book does not aim at criticizing the system, but rather attempts to address the needs of the children going through the system. This book is intended as a resource for anyone involved with the foster care system and particularly families raising foster children.

The mental well-being of children and adults is shockingly poor. Marc Brackett, author of Permission to Feel, knows why. And he knows what we can do.

Marc Brackett is a professor in Yale University’s Child Study Center and founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. In his 25 years as an emotion scientist, he has developed a remarkably effective plan to improve the lives of children and adults – a blueprint for understanding our emotions and using them wisely so that they help, rather than hinder, our success and well-being. The core of his approach is a legacy from his childhood, from an astute uncle who gave him permission to feel. He was the first adult who managed to see Marc, listen to him, and recognize the suffering, bullying, and abuse he’d endured. And that was the beginning of Marc’s awareness that what he was going through was temporary. He wasn’t alone, he wasn’t stuck on a timeline, and he wasn’t “wrong” to feel scared, isolated, and angry. Now, best of all, he could do something about it.

In the decades since, Marc has led large research teams and raised tens of millions of dollars to investigate the roots of emotional well-being. His prescription for healthy children (and their parents, teachers, and schools) is a system called RULER, a high-impact and fast-effect approach to understanding and mastering emotions that has already transformed the thousands of schools that have adopted it. RULER has been proven to reduce stress and burnout, improve school climate, and enhance academic achievement. This book is the culmination of Marc’s development of RULER and his way to share the strategies and skills with readers around the world. It is tested, and it works.

This book combines rigor, science, passion and inspiration in equal parts. Too many children and adults are suffering; they are ashamed of their feelings and emotionally unskilled, but they don’t have to be. Marc Brackett’s life mission is to reverse this course, and this book can show you how.

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.

The Incredible Babies book shows you how to promote and understand your baby's physical, social, emotional and language development. It includes safety alerts, developmental principles, and a journal section where you can capture and preserve your memories of your baby's likes and dislikes, favourite songs, stories and daily routines. Organized around the developmental baby stages of 0-3 months, 4-6 months and 6-12 months, the book provides simple but effective techniques to help you observe, read and learn about your babies' cues, signals and unique temperament: Cope with babies' crying and fussy periods, Baby-proof your home, Understand how babies learn from your responsive interactions, Speak parent-ese, sing and read to your baby, provide optimal physical, tactile, auditory and visual stimulation, Begin to set up predictable routines and rituals, Learn strategies to keep your baby and yourself calm. And also how to get support from others and involve other family members and friends in your baby's life. This book is for parents and Group Leaders of Incredible Years Parenting programs.