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Lions, tigers, and… Uganda, oh my!

I’ve been planning a trip to Uganda for the past few weeks, which is no easy task for a mother of two small children! I’ll be there for 10 days next month to further develop the counseling program for Children of the Nations (www.cotni.org).

5 Ways to Get Your Family Involved in Helping Orphans

Did you know there are 153 million orphans around the world?

Last week I attended a conference on orphan care called Summit VIII, where I became aware of the staggering numbers of orphans on this planet. I couldn’t believe that only 1% of the 153 million are adopted each year, which means that most orphans will live the rest of their lives without a family to call their own. Can you imagine?

3 Reasons I'm Not a Fan of Toys R Us

I doubt I’m the only one who has a problem with Toys R Us. That said, I tell you why I don’t like going there from the perspective of both a parent and a play therapist!

3 Great Books to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse

It’s hard to teach children about their bodies and how to protect them because it’s a topic that is uncomfortable for many adults. Most parents are eager for any help they can get, and that’s why I wanted to share these books with you. April is also child abuse awareness month, so this post seemed timely.

The perfect handmade dollhouse & its going to the Dominican Republic!

Sunday was a happy day because I picked up 3 handmade dollhouses from a gentleman at my church, and he made them specifically for the play therapy program in the Dominican Republic. He’s been there several times with Children of the Nations (COTN), which is the organization I’m working with to develop this program.

Child Tantrums as Mental Disorders? You’ve Got to be Kidding!

If your child throws a fit in the middle of the grocery store, does that it mean he or she has a mental disorder? I certainly don’t think so, but the bible of psychiatry might disagree…

Does your Family Have an Easter Tradition?

Most kids love traditions, but unfortunately many parents save them for the Christmas holidays. That said, Easter is a great opportunity for you to have a few traditions for your family!

Using Easter Eggs to Teach Your Child about Feelings: 2 Easy Ways

Easter is quickly approaching, and with it come a few easy ways to help your child learn about feelings. In fact, there are two simple ways to use Easter eggs to encourage your child’s emotional growth!

Baby dolls for dummies… 3 tips to find the right one for your child

What’s one toy almost every young child plays with? A baby doll. Even boys play with them. Children use baby dolls to “play out” nurturing behaviors and a variety of feelings, emotional needs, and life experiences.

So how can you get the most bang for your buck when shopping for the right baby doll for your child? Here are a few tips:

3 Tips for Buying Animal Figurines for Your Child

I was recently shopping for a set of wild animal figurines because I’m putting together 3 suitcases of toys for a play therapy program I’m developing in the Dominican Republic. You might think it’s easy to find good wild animal figurines, but that’s not always the case. There are actually several things to consider, which I thought you might enjoy learning about since parents often find themselves buying this kind of thing for their kids.