Being a teen is tough stuff. I mean can you remember back to when you were in middle/high school? All of the stress of keeping up with grades, latest trends, parent demands, extracurricular activities, and as if that wasn’t enough, all of the drama! The drama between couples, friends, and home was at times just too much to bear.

Sitting on the exam table, looking at the wall. You have been here before and are waiting for the doctor to come in and tell you what you already know.

It happened again... no baby. Just another heartbreak knowing that this one didn’t make it either.

You have heard it before. Your baby’s heart stopped beating and is no longer there.

Open adoptions have become more common in recent years than they ever have been before. However, open adoptions can sometimes still be a scary thought when navigating between the birth family and adoptive family. Both parties want to have the best possible outcome for the child while also making sure it is healthy. At times, you may feel like you are not doing enough or that you are giving more than the other party. So how can you have a healthy open adoption for your child?

Parenting a teen is a constant battle of wills. It feels like we are constantly fighting and just trying to plead our case with him to do the simplest things, like do your assignments when they are assigned, don’t be late for class, go to bed on time, do your chores (cleaning 2 rooms, 1x a week), and be nice to your brothers.