Volunteering on the Parents Anonymous Family Helpline is a little like being the Wizard of Oz. We always tell people who call the line that we are not trained counselors but that we are there to listen and help as we can with referrals to other resources. Once in a while we can … [Read more...] about The Volunteer Wizard of Oz
Getting Your Needs Met in a Parents Anonymous Group
Having volunteered on the Helpline and been a group member for many years I was often asked how Parents Anonymous works. That is when I then smile and reply, “It is the parents who do the work.” On my way to each meeting I would think of the previous week and make a mental … [Read more...] about Getting Your Needs Met in a Parents Anonymous Group
Stay-At-Home Guilt
Are you a working parent or a stay-at-home parent? Over the years Mr. Ramirez and I have revisited my being a stay-at-home mom and whether or not it was a good idea. Yesterday we rehashed those reasons again with a new perspective since both girls are grown and I wanted to … [Read more...] about Stay-At-Home Guilt
Trayvon: Dr. King and Daddy
When something horribly bad happens, where we are and what we are doing at the time is forever imprinted into our minds, like the World Trade Towers falling in New York City— we remember the shock as we stood transfixed. The spring I turned fourteen I had many chores to do and … [Read more...] about Trayvon: Dr. King and Daddy
Yell or Scream at Your Kids?
Not everyone has lost their cool with their kids like me but there are many that have yelled on occasion. I believe yelling became the go-to discipline method when child abuse was put on the books and could be “investigated” and “punished” by law. Yelling does not leave marks … [Read more...] about Yell or Scream at Your Kids?
Parenting viewpoints from parents in the trenches, because parenting doesn’t come with a manual. In addition to