by Carol Ann
Every year, there are thousands of babies that are born and put up for adoption for various reasons. As families struggle with infertility or just the desire to help a child, they often make the decision to adopt. The adoption process can be exceptionally rewarding. However, parents who are trying to adopt can also feel alone, overwhelmed, and disappointed, particularly if they run into problems.
Since the process can be difficult, it is important to find a variety of helpful adoption resources. Your number one resource should be your adoption agency. They should be a source of support and information. If they are not, then you should probably find another agency.
Consider joining an adoptive parent’s group. If your agency doesn’t have information about any, then search for something local on the internet. Some couples aren’t comfortable in groups of this type and prefer to meet one or two couples instead. No matter what your preference, you will likely get some excellent advice.
Your family and your friends are going to be your largest support group, so it is important to talk to them in depth about your plans, your goals, and your hopes. Make your self available to answer their questions - and there will be lots of questions. Just make sure you keep an open dialogue to keep things clean.
It is important to remember that you aren’t alone while going through the adoption process. Adoption is prevalent and thousands of adoptions occur each year. Use your agency and your friends and family support group to help you. And the internet can be invaluable in the process.
About the Author:
If your child is experiencing behavioral issues, then you may need to seek out a
child psychologist. During the impressionable years of
child development, your child will be confronted with many challenges. Find a specialist who can provide easy answers to your tough questions.
by Paul Jason James
Potty training is new territory for your toddler. Up until now, they have been happy-go-lucky, learning about her new world at there own pace and making all kinds of exciting discoveries. They have learned how to form sounds into words that communicate what they want, she’s learned how to put her legs under her and walk and all this was done at her own pace. They probably thinks she invented walking and talking. Now all of a sudden, someone has decided she will no longer relieve herself in her diaper and plops her down on a potty and tells her to “go”.
This is fertile ground for potty training problems. Prevention is the Best Cure Look at potty training from the child’s perspective. What kind of introduction has she had to the toilet and the bathroom in general. Has this room been off-limits before now? Let her follow you into the bathroom before you start potty training her. Answer the questions that occur.
Let her flush the toilet and sit on it with the lid closed first. Believe it or not, many children are afraid of the toilet. They see things go down and not come back and wonder if that can happen to them.
When they are comfortable being around the toilet, let her sit on the seat. If they feels afraid, buy her a potty seat that snaps on securely or a potty chair. Humans are born with the fear of falling and sitting on a toilet seat with nothing under her can make your child feel like she’s going to fall.
Regression, is when a child begins to learn potty training, then suddenly seems to lose ground. Children who were perfectly happy to go along with the potty training routine all of a sudden begin having accidents frequently. Regression isn’t always a problem.
There may be an external factor such as a change in the environment that’s causing the regression or it may just be that they want to slow down a little. Most experts agree that periods of regression are normal during potty training and, unless there is a medical condition such as a urinary tract infection, they do not need intervention. Simply continue to gently encourage her with her potty training and they will get back on track.
Most potty training problems can be identified by looking at them through your child’s eyes. Inconsistencies, fears, punishment for accidents and regression can all trigger potty training problems.
by Paul J James
There is no shortage of potty training advice available to parents going through the process. Like all advice, though, parents need to filter what they hear through their own parenting beliefs and methods. Keeping a few fundamentals in mind makes this much easier. Be Patient
Any advice that suggests parents “force” their child to potty train faster should be discarded. A child becomes potty trained in his own time according to his own physical and neurological development. Just like walking and talking, potty training requires a certain level of development
Be Consistent
This is half the battle. A child learns through repetition. If his potty training program is the same from day to day, he learns what to expect and becomes more secure. That’s not to say you can’t add a little incentive now and then, but don’t change the entire process overnight and expect him to adapt.
The best way to ensure consistency is by having the plan well thought out before beginning and making sure others who may help your child with potty training are informed. It’s important that the same process be used at all times. Beware of any advice that would require drastic changes to his routine.
Be Informed
The more you understand about how a child becomes potty trained, the easier it will be for you to meet and address any obstacles you may encounter. There are many good parenting books available that address this issue. This also makes it much easier to recognize good advice when you hear it.
Most potty training advice is given with the best of intentions. Being able to sort and sift through it to find things that will work well for you can strengthen your potty training program and make the process more enjoyable for everyone.