If you’ve followed the Pee Papers, my chronicles of our recent issues with my six-year-old, you’ll know that we’ve implemented some new strategies.

We are on Night 3, Day 2 of “The Solution” and it has restored balance to our home. No stress. No fuss. No consequences. And, though we’ve said all along we’re not... more

Debbie is my mom’s best friend, and, as I was growing up, she was my second mom. The cool mom - the one you would go to when talking to your own mom would be completely mortifying. She is also the Kid Whisperer. Babies love her. Toddlers love her. Kids and grown-ups all love her. And, fortunately for me, she also has a background in Early Childhood Education. I know I often trot out that I, too, have this background, somehow, with Deb, it’s all different. She puts Nanny 911 and all those other shows to shame.

Debbie is kind enough to drive my non-driving... more

If you have been following my pee saga closely, you will have heard the various positions parents in the trenches have taken on this issue. Now let’s hear from those who have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

As I mentioned over on the Adoptive Parenting blog earlier this week, I’ve found an online support group for sufferers of PTSD. They have graciously allowed me to be a part of their group,... more

Thanks to all who have chimed in on the pee issue. But, I do feel I need to clarify a few points:

• There are 2 types of peeing going on – voluntary and involuntary. The involuntary we are ignoring (nighttime while sleeping, true accidents, etc.). It is the voluntary we are addressing. How do I know the difference? My daughter will sit in front of the TV or while playing and finishes up, rather than go to the restroom, and is able to articulate that... more

The Pee-Pee Saga continues. We’ve shown love and mercy, and overlooked it. We’ve tied consequences directly to the action and had her do her own laundry. We’ve taken away privileges. Today, I took away all her “fancy clothes” because she soils them. Still, no matter the outcome, pleasant or not, it’s the same result – she pees.

We’re not being inconsistent; we’re just trying to find an equitable solution. I have asthma and the urine smell triggers me.

She admits this is done purposely.... more

I’ve chronicled some of the issues we’ve faced in dealing with my daughter’s Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) diagnosis and the extreme insomnia she has because of it.

Who knew the solution could be as simple as it turned out to be: Let her sleep with her door open! Initially, due to some of the inappropriate “acting... more

If I live to be one hundred, I hope and pray never to have another night/morning like this last one. Two of my three children came not once, but twice (each!) to our room in the middle of the night. One of whom, somehow managed to “slip and fall and have a pee-pee accident” during one of the visits. Why do I doubt the veracity of this? It’s exactly how she claimed to have the last accident. Same exact spot, same exact scenario, two “accidents,” two days, both under suspicious circumstances (and no one else has “slipped” in this spot!).

So, Mama was pretty cranky... more

Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin (James 4:17; NASB).

My daughter had a spectacular day yesterday – simply stellar! She made appropriate toileting choices, she spoke considerately to others, and was warmly and genuinely praised for her efforts by her Dad and I, as well as both of her brothers.

So, why, right before bedtime,... more

"A friend loves at all times..." (Proverbs 17:17)

Many times our children come to us with poor social skills. These can be due to trauma, neglect, abuse, medical or mental health conditions – a variety of causes.

In my own life, with my ADD undiagnosed until adulthood, I found social settings to be my undoing. I had difficulty reading social cues (like when to shut up!), and my impulsivity manifested itself in constantly interrupting others.

When my daughter first arrived, on her very first night with two new acquaintances,... more

Today, for whatever reason (maybe the "stir crazy-itis" I mentioned in my last blog), my daughter decided to open the door to a complete and utter stranger. She says she thought it was her dad (who had been outside taking care of the trash earlier). Nonetheless, a hard and fast rule here at Casa Stro is that you Never.Ever.Open.The.Door.To.Strangers. In fact, we're so hardline, even if someone the kids do know comes to the door, they need to come and get one of us to answer the door!

Thankfully... more