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Ask any new mom or dad what they find most difficult in a child’s first year, and they will probably mention sleep deprivation. By a baby’s first birthday, most parents have tried some sort of intervention – something to help their child learn to fall asleep and stay asleep on her own so…
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The first thing that I want to address is “the fit” when choosing the adoption agency that you plan to work with. Our belief at Hopeful Beginnings is to do your due diligence in researching the different agencies out there. You will get an immediate feel by how they address certain issues such…
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With the recent news of an infant being found in a Chicago alley, we felt it important to continue to spread awareness on the life saving Safe Haven Law. It is clear that the likely terrified and desperate biological parents of that infant had no idea what to do. If only they knew…
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My information is taken from “What to expect when you are expecting,” by Heidi Murkoff. I have recommended her books for years! I will cover crawling, standing and walking. Crawling Safety Congratulations — and welcome to a whole new phase of babyhood! Now that your infant has mastered movement on…
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Discipline/Shaken Baby Syndrome/Positive Reinforcement Shaken Baby Syndrome is also known as Abusive Head Trauma. This can take place within the home by relatives, friends, and Care Givers in a Day Care Situation, or a Home Day Care. According to Wilkepia: Shaken baby syndrome (SBS), also known as abusive head trauma (AHT), is an…
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Child sexual abuse has become a true public health issue worldwide but especially so here in the United States. Wide-scale public health issues like this need to be addressed on all levels, including national, state, and local. With that being said, the first place to teach children about difficult topics such as sexual…
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When there is a new baby in the house, the focus is on the baby, bringing presents, holding the baby, and sharing the joy of bringing new life into the family. No matter what the situation is, whether it is a difficulty in getting pregnant, having your fourth child, or first, this is culturally…
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Being a great Dad means caring, compassionate love every day, noticing your children and what they like, and being inquisitive about the different things that are meaningful to them. They adore your attention and know when you are truly with them, not only physically, but rather when you are completely “in the moment…
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You took a baby home from the hospital and then thought about adoption because circumstances have occurred that make it just about impossible or unsafe for your baby? Illinois has a plan in place for children less than 30 days old to be placed into a policeman’s, fireman’s, or hospital’s arms called The…
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Birth Mother’s Day this year is May 8th. Many people are not aware of this day. Adoptive families may be aware, but uncertain of how to observe it. Birth Mother’s Day was created in 1990 by a group of birth mothers (Silber, 2019), but what does observance of this day mean to the…
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